Knoll Charles Pollock chair spare parts

Please feel free to contact me if you require a specific spare part that is not listed here.

There are no mechanical components in this area, issues encountered here are typically structural or cosmetic.

This element is difficult to separate from the shell and should only be handled by a professional. It is more cost-effective to replace the entire shell and chrome trim with a second-hand unit when the shell is too damaged. The chrome may flake or deteriorate over time due to thin plating areas or weather exposure. Avoid acidic cleaning products, as oxidation may reach the copper and aluminum layers beneath, causing long-term flaking. Rechroming is not feasible because the plastic shell is crimped in place and cannot be dissociated easily. Chrome baths are also very expensive, especially for large parts.

All armrests are made of black bakelite, though leather-wrapped versions exist as an option from Knoll. Two screws and a peg secure each armrest. Each armrest is side-specific (left/right). Two brass sleeves inside the armrest allow fastening. If screws are overtightened, the sleeve expands and cracks the armrest at the sleeve area, which cannot be repaired cleanly. Avoid lifting your chair by the armrest’s protruding edges, lift it from the inner angles instead. For cleaning, avoid soapy sponges. Use 70° alcohol with a non-abrasive cloth. The underside part of the armrest (where fingers rest when standing up) tends to accumulate much dirt over years.

This component is essential for a proper restoration/upholstery of a Pollock chair. It secures the upholstery while following the chair’s contour. Over time, especially on the armless chair version, this plastic band/seal may tear on the sides of the seat. Without armrests, users often sit from the side rather than from the front, increasing tension in that area. Over time, the plastic band tears at the stitching, exposing the padding.

The Pollock chair bases contain all mechanical wear components. On a new chair, wear is unlikely, but it is common on vintage Knoll models. The second version of the Charles Pollock base is shared with other pieces from the Knoll Office collection, such as the E. Saarinen Conference chair. The base is composed of two sections (upper section with mounting plate and lower section with glides/casters), except on fixed versions.

As mentionned earlier, all types of Knoll Executive bases can be used on any shell, with an adapter required for certain shell versions. Wear components in the upper part of the base mainly concern the tilting models. The lower portion of the stem contains the height-adjustment screw, which is heavily stressed over time and is rarely maintained. This height-adjustment system is found on both tilting and non-tilting versions. Many replaceable spare parts exist. You may contact me via email with photos and a detailed description of your issue.

• When seated : weight applies pressure in the gas lift, then it's reduced, lowering the chair;
• When not seated : the gas lift fills to maximum pressure, raising the chair.

A defective gas lift is indicated by the chair lowering when someone sits. The gas seal is no longer airtight due to worn gaskets, so the lift cannot maintain the correct height. This office chair gas lift must be replaced by a professional. Contact me for a quotation for gas-lift replacement.

This adapter enables the use of a modern Knoll base (with larger hole spacing) on a shell whose mounting-plate spacing and rectangular cutout correspond to the first-generation base (smaller).

Two versions exist : the original single-wheel caster (more fragile) and the later double-wheel version, more technical and robust. These casters feature horizontal mounting. The upper part of the caster fits into the end of the base arm, slightly by force, and a screw behind the stop point secures it in place (the screw should not be used to force the caster in, to avoid damage on the threading).

An early version with a vertical stem was used by Knoll on the Pollock chair. It is the same double-wheel version as on the first base (with an aluminum component between the wheels), but now with a vertical stem, making installation easier. The subsequent and current version is a standard dual-wheel plastic caster, though of higher quality than low-cost alternatives.

A stainless-steel trim piece is fixed on top of the Pollock chair’s base arms/branches. Its design serves as a footrest. A threaded rod is welded underneath, allowing the piece to be secured with a nut from below, tightnening this nut with force will make a bump on that cover, gentle tightening is recommended.

One glide model exists for the first-edition base (horizontal insertion), and three for the second-edition base (shared with the Knoll Office collection), using a vertical stem.

A black hard-plastic glide with a specific shape. It has a rear mounting hole allowing securing with a screw through the stop at the end of the base arm. Felt can be added underneath to protect flooring.

• A black nylon glide, painted black, suitable for all floor types;
• A white nylon glide with nickel-plated steel, suitable for all floors, typically installed on white bases (matching white shell);
• A nickel-plated steel glide, without nylon, very slippery on parquet (not recommended on parquet/tile, add felt to prevent damage). It's suitable for carpeted floors. The stem is ribbed plastic, relatively flexible.

• Screws for armrests;
• Short screws for the mounting plate, first-edition chairs and "thin" plates;
• Long fastening screws for the mounting plate on second-edition chairs with tilt/lever and "block" version.