I bought this chair and don't want to lose the old paint

I plan to sell this chair but it needs shoring up and I will probably give it a paint wash and will wax it. I don't want lose the chipped paint, so how should I make it stay put and stop flaking off?
  14 answers
  • Suzzanne M P Daigle Suzzanne M P Daigle on Apr 27, 2015
    You can purchase a can of spray on clear sealer. Usually can be found at Walmart for axp $10 dollars. It seals the paint and makes the object pretty much weather proof. I live in Canada and have used it on a few outdoor projects. Good luck ☺
  • Lucky Dog Upcycle Lucky Dog Upcycle on Apr 27, 2015
    Does it make it shiny? I want to keep it very low gloss.
  • Adventures In Junking Adventures In Junking on Apr 27, 2015
    Lovely crackle and chippy paint - and a lovely layering of colour and texture. I would want to preserve it, too - I would wax it (natural beeswax makes furniture so sumptuously touchable IMHO). And yes, a very low gloss. I would give it a couple of coats, allowing it to dry well in between. I would also bring it indoors - or at least put it on a porch or deck where it has some protection from the weather.
  • Glhill Glhill on Apr 27, 2015
    You can get low gloss sealer
  • Tim D. (The Retro Den) Tim D. (The Retro Den) on Apr 27, 2015
    I have three old window shutters with similar "history" as you chair. I love the look and would like to find a way to "upcycle them". I agree with Lucky Dog Upcycle" ... No shine.
  • Country Design Home Country Design Home on Apr 28, 2015
    Hi- In my experience, no matter what you put on the surface, if the paint chips are very loose they will continue to flake off. So your best bet is to lightly sand/wire brush any loose paint particles off the piece before you get started with the re-finishing. Then you can dry-brush and wax or varnish over it.
  • Lucky Dog Upcycle Lucky Dog Upcycle on Apr 28, 2015
    Thank you, all, for your help.
  • Nikki Nikki on Apr 28, 2015
    I agree with @Sue@CountryDesignHome it will continue to chip if the really lose paint is ready to come off, I also think if you carefully sand the rough edges of the lose paint you should be able to save the chippy patina, I always use wax on furniture. but recently bought a can of matte finish spray sealer from micheals it was under $10 and used a 40% off coupon and it gave my wood painted lamp the same look as the wax... it might be better to use the spray to get every inch covered a lot easier and faster. It is a beautiful chair I don't blame you for keeping the paint as is. =)
  • Christina McMullen Christina McMullen on Apr 28, 2015
    I would just carefully spray a matte acrylic spray on it. If you sand, brush or wire brush it you will lose alot of the loose chips. I like it just the way it is and would use a matte acrylic spray on it and leave it alone. It's beautiful.
  • Rus1058682 Rus1058682 on Apr 28, 2015
    Three coats of any good quality sanding sealer, with a light steelwool or fine sand paper between coats, and a finishing sanding LIGHTLY after the third coat should give you the look you are wanting. Be sure to allow each coat to dry, and plenty of ventilation while applying.. And wear a dust mask... Hope this helps..
  • Lucky Dog Upcycle Lucky Dog Upcycle on Apr 29, 2015
    ...and the story continues. I asked a friend why the chair was so low to the ground. ...because it used to have rockers on it. Do you think it matters?
  • Rus1058682 Rus1058682 on Apr 30, 2015
    In that case, I would seriously think about cutting a circular hole in the seat, and use it as a planter for some kind of vine..
  • Lucky Dog Upcycle Lucky Dog Upcycle on Apr 30, 2015
    Wonderful idea! Thank you very much.
  • Peggy Peggy on May 19, 2015
    Does anyone worry about the lead in all of these upscales of old chairs, old windows etc. Would a sealant make it safe?