How to Refurbish a Wooden Chess Set

Wooden toys and games fade and crack over time and from heavy use. When I bought a nice, wooden chess set from a local thrift store, I knew it needed some work, but the price was right and the board and game pieces were sturdy and strong.

To refurbish a wooden chess set (or any other wooden game board), ensure you have the following supplies:

• gentle, non abrasive cleanser (e.g., vinegar and water solution, non-bleach cleaning wipes)

• wood putty and/or filler
• wood glue
• pre-stain conditioner
• stain
• polyurethane
• paint or foam brushes
• felt
• adhesive (e.g., hot glue)

Clean the Chess Set

When buying used games, you never know who has touched the pieces or where they've been. Be sure to thoroughly clean and disinfect the board and all pieces before you begin the refurbishing process.

• Wipe the board and pieces down with a light solution of water and vinegar to gently clean and disinfect the game. Using vinegar will also help remove any must odors. Do not submerge the board or pieces in a bucket or sink full of water. This may damage the wood and any other parts of the set.
  
  

• Wipe down the chess set with a non-abrasive, non-bleach anti-bacterial wipe. Follow up with a clean, dry paper towel or rag to remove any moisture.

Repair the Chess Set

If your chess board has any cracks, chips or dings on it or any of the chess pieces are chipped, use wood putty or filler to fill in any damaged areas. If any pieces have broken off (and you have all of the pieces), put them back together with wood glue.

Note: Before beginning this stage of the refurbishing process, set up a work space that is well-ventilated and provides an abundance of lighting. Also, lay down newspaper or a drop cloth to protect any furniture or other surfaces.

• To repair cracks, chips and dings, apply wood putty or filler to the damaged area with a putty knife. Be sure to smooth over the damaged area with the putty knife to remove any excess. Let the putty or filler dry overnight to make sure it completely hardens.
  
  
• To glue broken pieces back together, apply a small amount of glue to one of the broken pieces and carefully put the pieces back together. Hold the glued section together tightly for a few minutes to let the glue dry. Carefully set the piece down (glued side down) to prevent the glued pieces from sliding while it dries.

Sand the Chess Set

After applying wood putty or filler and gluing any broken pieces together, sand the entire chess set with high grit sandpaper. This will help remove any minor cosmetic imperfections and help smooth out the areas where you applied wood putty, filler or glue.

Wipe off the entire sanded chess set with a clean, damp rag to remove any sanding dust.

Since a chess set usually comes in a two-tone color scheme, pick out two colored stains for your wooden chess set. You can use the same colors as the original stain or something entirely different. The choice is yours.

Apply the stain to the chess board in a two step process.

1. Apply a pre-stain conditioner to the entire chess board and let dry for 10 to 15 minutes (or the time indicated on the label).
   
   

1. Section off the individual sections of the board with painter's tape. For example, place painter's tape over all of the dark squares and sections when you want to apply the light colored stain.
   
   
2. Apply the stain with a paint or foam brush. Let each coat of stain dry based on the label instructions or until you are happy with the color. Wipe off the excess stain and remove the painter's tape.
   
   
3. Repeat the process for the other shade of the board.

To stain the chess pieces, set them on a piece of cardboard or styrofoam so they can properly sit upright. Apply the pre-stain conditioner the same as you did on the board and let dry. Then, apply the stain to the entire piece and let sit until it reaches the desired color and effect. Wipe off any excess stain with a rag.

After the board and all of the pieces are dry, apply polyurethane to coat and protect the wood.

Note: Be sure to read and go by the instructions on the stain and polyurethane labels. Not all stain and polyurethane have the same instructions.

The final step to make your chess set like new again is to apply new felt pads to the bottom of each felt piece. If your chess pieces did not originally come with felt bottoms, that is okay. You can add felt pads to the pieces to help protect your board from scratches. You can find inexpensive felt in just about any color at your local craft store or hobby shop.

1. Remove any existing felt padding carefully with a sharp knife or peel off with your fingers.
   
   

1. Create a felt pad template by placing a chess piece onto the felt and tracing the bottom.
   
   
2. Cut out felt pieces for each of your chess pieces.
   
   
3. Glue the new felt pads onto the chess pieces with a strong adhesive or hot glue.

Let the glue completely dry before playing a game of chess.