Chipping paint on vintage stadium seats

[darkhorse9]

My wife and son bought me a vintage stadium seat from Engel Field in Chattanooga for my collection room.

The seat is in usable shape and I plan on sitting on it in my room, however the paint on the seat is chipping considerably.

I'm shying away from repainting it as you can see several different colors of paint on it now showing the years (green, red, yellow)

Any advise on how to keep it from chipping away too much without damaging the integrity of the seat.

[vintagesportscollector]

Nice seat Mark, very cool looking! Others my have a different opinion or more experience to offer other suggestions, but my personal preference for a seat like this is to keep the original condition, and not refinish - adds to the character and charm. I think you have two options....keep as is, or if you really want to get use as a seat, I think you need to refinish. Personally I would leave as is and find another chair to sit in.

[eastonfalcon19]

Originally Posted by vintagesportscollector

Nice seat Mark, very cool looking! Others my have a different opinion or more experience to offer other suggestions, but my personal preference for a seat like this is to keep the original condition, and not refinish - adds to the character and charm. I think you have two options....keep as is, or if you really want to get use as a seat, I think you need to refinish. Personally I would leave as is and find another chair to sit in.

I have to agree with Joe. I have shibe park seats that are chipping the red paint and under it you can see the original green and the seat numbers. I personally like them like this unless they are really bad then I would restore. Very nice seat.

[RTK]

Be aware that the paint may be lead based. I like seats in original condition, to me they tell more of a story that way . I have seats both ways; original and refurbished.

[Econteachert205]

I'd leave it be.

[cwazzy]

Probably a dumb thought but could you spray it with a low-gloss clear coating to keep the look of the peeling paint without having to worry about it flaking off? Seems like it might be the best of both worlds but might not work.