You’ve had your hope chairs for 20 years and didn’t know that they fold! The question is though – do they still fold after 20 years or even after 5 years. Here’s what you can do.
DON”T FORCE THEM CLOSED! I know that should be obvious but just in case!
Go to the garage – find the 3-in-1 oil or just head straight for the hardware store. (less traumatic)
Oil the articulating joints.
This will also mean the articulating parts of the arms on the the arm chairs. Make sure you do this on grass or gravel as you will not want oil on your wooden deck!
Leave the chair/s overnight and then you can attempt to fold them.
Stand behind the chair.
Place your foot on the back strap of the chairs and pull the front of the seat up towards the back.
Do not force it. If it will not fold then you may have to bring it in for some coercion.
Should the rivets break in the process then you will have to bring it in to our chair hospital to be seen to.
And the moral of the story its …..keep those joints oiled!
p.s The recliner chairs and all of the benches with a back fold too. Same process….