Restore or Not to restore?
 

I just picked up a two seater from old Comiskey Park and it's probably the best Comiskey seats I've ever seen. Where else are you going to see a two seater with figurals on each side?

The previous owner was a Chicago cop that acquired the seats before the Sox installed plastic ones in the box seat sections in the early 80s. Unfortunately the guy didn't have a clue about memorabilia and removed 98% of the paint right after he acquired the seats from the Sox. Luckily you can still see hints of the old blue paint underneath the green paint in some areas.

So what would you do? Just leave it alone or restore the green paint? I already have the color matched green oil based paint ready to go, but I'm a little conflicted. I've restored some Tiger Stadium seats and they looked incredible, so I'm leaning towards restoring them.

Mike, if I owned those seats I’d want them to look exactly how they are now.

Original and sweaty! Beautiful.......

I'd leave them alone.

Beautiful seats...I would leave them just how they are.

My vote would be to leave them as is. They look exactly how I'd want them to look.

We all have opinions….

Since the previous owner already mucked them up by removing the original paint, if they were mine, I would restore them to their original glory. Clean up the rust and paint them as to how they were.

And then enjoy them. Nice pick up.

I would leave them..

But they’re not original because the previous owner removed the paint. But, either way, they’re great!

Okay, how about weathered look then!

I still like their current condition as is!

I like the look, too. Those art deco figurals are off the charts!

The amazing thing is the company that made the seats with the art deco style is still in business today.

https://www.heywoodwakefield.com/about/

Maybe pay them a visit with your seats then. There maybe something cool that comes from it.

I would restore them, but I would do it myself! It's not that hard to strip, sand, prime, and refinish or paint. It takes elbow grease and some time, but I always feel proud about what I've accomplished.

The way I think, especially since they've already been mucked around with, if I'm going to use something I want it to last as long as possible. Putting a new protective coat on is going to help your item exist even longer.

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The previous owner removed the newest coat of original paint. The green that appears now is also original.
My vote? Leave it alone. It's only original once.

I would restore but that is a personal preference.

Hi, where did you get the paint for the Tiger Stadium seats. I’ve had these since 1970’s. They are wearing more every year. I was considering restoring these seats. Thanks Joe

Agree.

As is
 

My vote would be to leave them alone.

I did the Tiger seats over 20 years ago and bought the paint from a dealer named Mike Seitz. I don't believe he is in the hobby anymore.

I'd leave them just like they are. Just my opinion.

Please don't touch them

100% I’d restore. They are not worn from age. They were stripped of their paint. Even a quick layer of paint would look better.

First I agree they look great now. But restore them and they will be protected and look great when your grandkids are your age. Jmho
Jonathan

Wonderful seats Mike!
If you do decide to restore, why not in the '60s blue ? That'd be cool. We don't see those too often.

Go SOX

Bob

Hey Bob, I can't say I've ever seen a blue Comiskey Park seat in someone's collection. That would be awfully rare. I'm not that confidant I could match that paint color.

The consensus here seems to be to leave the seats alone. Thank you all for your opinions and I respect everyone's view. I'll most likely restore them since it can be a labor of love to do it. Again, thank you all.

Restore 1/2 and leave the other seat aged.