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Barber Chair Restoration
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Does anyone know the best way to refinish the metal parts of an antique barber chair? Also, if plating is the solution what would be the appropriate finish?
Chuck Holmanhobbyist - Walnut Creek, California
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I replated parts of barber chairs at my shop in Berkeley. If its an real old it's Nickel plated, If late 40's and on, Chrome. If the plating isn't completely shot you can use a chrome rouge. Jon Diamond
++++++ I am restoring a barber chair and have had all the metal chrome parts replated. However, now some of the parts don't fit; the new plating is too thick. What's the best way to remove some of the plating. File, wet sandpaper, or ? - Pullman, Washington
I think you'll find the chrome plating to be harder than a file, Brian, in which case a file won't work, of course. Sandpaper [linked by editor to product info at Rockler] on a power tool will probably work. But the chrome plating is millionths of an inch thick, the nickel plating under it is what is thousandths of an inch thick -- so you will lose corrosion resistance and there will be an appearance difference. Hopefully the sanded areas are not visible. Good luck.
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March 22, 2008
I have a Koken Barber Chair form the 1890s to 1930s. It's in many pieces and I have full intent to restore it in time. I need some metal parts for the chair and I am having difficulty locating them (can't understand that, it's only around a hundred years old!) I do have some pictures of my dismantled chair and would appreciate any help anyone out there can provide. What I'm looking for are the metal parts from the wooden leg rest down. I don't need all the parts but I am willing to buy the complete bottom part of the chair if necessary.
I desperately need help with this project. Any help or references you can provide will be very much appreciated.
Norman StephensonNorman's Barber Shop - Raytown, Missouri
May 23, 2009
I have been working on this barber chair for two years, plating, leather upholstery, wood carving and sanding... it's come a long way... from what I have seen of other chairs, my chair is early 1900's no metal on the arms, all oak.. I need the parts that will lock it in the recline position, the rod that goes to the leg bracket, and the bracket as well...
Willing to pay any reasonable asking price plus a large token of my appreciation..! Thanks for reading..!
Bobby Farmermachinist - Grand Coulee, Washington
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Ed. note: General hints about obtaining parts are welcome, but No offers please! This is a technical site about metal finishing, not a free ebay.
June 5, 2009
Norman Stephenson:
There is a seller on ebay that has many of the parts I see in your photo...
jedijason1978
this guy helped me a ton with my barber chair.. I'm the guy with the chair right below yours on this site..
Bobby Farmermachinist - Grand Coulee, Washington
June 16, 2009
I have purchased an old Belmont barber chair. I want to restore it. it reclines but does not swivel or raise lower. I cant find parts or manuals. It appears to be a Koken classic design
THANKS!
Hobbyist - Menlo Park, California
July 4, 2009
Try kicking the handle forward. Sometimes they stick when they have been pulled back too hard. I use these chairs on a regular basis. In fact one of mine I got at a discount because the arm was froze in position and I knew all I had to do is kick it forward. Unless it's just moving forward and backward and still not working.
All the way forward and down holding it there lets it down. pushing the lever forward and down and up raises it, and just halfway down/forward lets it swivel. to lock in position lightly pull back to the upright position.
Hope that works
- Saint Johns, Florida
May 20, 2010
For the guy with the chair that does not go up or down, check the oil level and lubricate all of the parts in the handle.
Steve Hicks- Ludlow, Massachusetts
June 28, 2010
My name is George Ranallo
My son has a 1960 Pairda chair that he took apart to have the parts chromed. After four years he is trying to assemble it. Does not remember how all the parts go back together. Have tried to find a repair booklet but no luck. Would appreciate any help.
- Overland Park, Kansas
Other threads about barber chairs include letters 7610, 26677, 40093.
September 15, 2010
i would like to know where or how to fix my hydraulics on my Koken barber chair. I want to make sure it works right before I put it back together
charles jacksonhobbyist - kearney, Missouri usa
^- Privately contact this inquirer -^
March 12, 2011
Hello, my name is Teresa. I have just purchased a Theo Koch's chair, not sure of age. I have taken all the leather pieces off and cleaned the porcelain. The metal parts need help, someone mentioned chrome rouge. Please tell me where I can purchase this product and should I use some steel wool first to clean it up a little more? Thanks for your help, I live in Toms River NJ if anyone is near buy that works on these chairs. Teresa Zaza
PS I also think some parts are missing for chair to recline, when I took off leather foot rest it did recline, but something seems off.
hairstylist/salon owner working barber chair - Toms River, New Jersey USA
^- Privately contact this inquirer -^
July 1, 2011
Paidar chair but original numbers plate missing from seat. Not sure of year and need same before I head in to full restoration. All mechanicals work well but appearance is rough. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
hobbyist - Magnolia, Texas, USA
September 13, 2011
I have a 1970 Koken barber chair with electric hydraulics and am looking for "up" and "down" pedals. Mine broke and need new ones!
Robyn Autrycosmetologist - Barnsdall, Oklahoma, USA
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Ed. note: This is a metal finishing site where advice for Robyn's situation is welcome, but we are not set up to be a Craig's List, can't handle the traffic, and can't put people into private contact with each other. Sorry.
November 9, 2011
I have a Koken terminal barber chair and I need the hydraulic pump handle and the bracket that goes from the ankle plate to the tension rod. Please tell me where to find these parts. Also what does the serial #A222400 mean? I greatly appreciate it.
Eric Schimmelchair restorer - Valley Stream, New York, USA
January 7, 2012
I have a wooden Koch barber chair #c16907. Any way to tell the age or other info?
Richard Fabrizio- Warwick, Rhode Island, USA
January 17, 2012
Q. Hello I have a Paidar chair. The hydraulic pump seal appears to be bad. When I try the pump, the chair will lift about an inch, I hear the pressure vent off and the chair drops back down. I was wondering if anyone knows how much trouble it is to repair the seal and where do you buy the parts? Also, how do you check the oil level in the chair and where is the oil added? What type of fluid do you use in these chairs?
Thanks for any help you can give me.
Brian (Michigan)
- Bay City, Michigan
January 26, 2012
Q. Hello, I have a chair thats brake is either malfunctioning or missing. Can anyone help explain how the brake functions and were its locality is? Must appreciated as I am needing this chair in my functioning antique shop.
Thank you.
Ty
Barber - Ridgefield
February 2, 2012
Q. I have a Barber Chair that has the battening in the seat completely shot. The battening is made of material that I can't locate. It looks like a straw based material. Does anyone have any ideas what I can use or where to get matching material.
Robin Hart- Susanville, California, USA