Ode To Chem Lab, Industrial Stool Makeover

I found a really cool industrial stool at an estate sale in Connecticut earlier this summer.  I could have come home with a replica cannon that was also in the sale, but this seemed more practical.  It kind of reminded me of chemistry lab - bad memories. But, it had some promise, so home it came  . . . and sat all summer.

Today is a top 10 early Fall day in New England. The leaves are just starting to change, the temperature is in the 70's.  A perfect day to get this project going.

The first step was to remove the gray paint from the oak seat.  With a little Citris Strip (my favorite stripper), it came off easily.

There was some rust on the metal legs, but a little coarse sandpaper scuffed it up nicely.  A damp towel was all that was needed to finish prepping for spray painting.  I chose Rust-oleum, black satin.  It was a little tricky to spray the back of the chair, but after a couple of tries with plastic bags, I used packing tape to protect the wood. 

After the legs dried, it was on to applying a light coat of stain.  I used Minwax "Golden Pecan" as I had it on hand.

I always love watching the change as the wood grain begins to show itself.  How many high school kids sat right there as they struggled (well, I struggled) with their experiments.

And here is the finished project, waiting for a new home.