Repairing Guides

how to repair cane chair seat

by Emelie Dibbert PhD Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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How to Easily Repair a Caned Chair Seat

  • Create a New Padded Seat. Use a jigsaw to cut 1/2" plywood or MDF into shape of chair seat. Then cut coordinating piece...
  • Cover Hole in Caning. Cut lengths of upholstery cardboard stripping and use them to secure cardboard piece to wood seat...
  • Secure Wood Seat to Chair. Use additional cardboard upholstery strips to secure wood...

Full Answer

How to easily repair a caned chair seat?

Things You'll Need

  • 1/4 cup white vinegar
  • 3/4 cup warm water
  • 3 drops liquid dish soap
  • 2 soft clean cloths
  • Absorbent cloth or towel
  • Soft toothbrush
  • Wood-glue solvent
  • Wood glue
  • Machine-woven cane seating material to match existing seat
  • Sharp scissors

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How to replace cane seat?

How to Replace a Canoe Seat With New

  1. Remove the Seat From the Seat Hangers. Start by removing the old canoe seat from the wood hangers that are attached to the canoe’s gunwales.
  2. Measure and Cut the New Seat to Match. Using the old seat as a template, mark where to cut the arms of the new seat. ...
  3. Drill Holes to Attach to Seat Hangers. ...
  4. Secure New Seat to Seat Hangers. ...

How to repair a hole in a cane chair?

Instructions

  1. Carefully pry loose the spline by gently running a utility knife along either side and lift out with the spline chisel or small flat head screwdriver.
  2. Pull out the old cane, hopefully in one piece. This old cane webbing can be used as a pattern for the new cane webbing.
  3. Soak the new cane webbing in warm water for 30-60 minutes. ...

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How to fix cane seats?

How to Patch a Cane Chair Seat

  1. Clean the cane seat thoroughly with a soft clean cloth and a solution of 1/4 cup white vinegar, 3/4 cup warm water and three drops of liquid dish ...
  2. Rinse the seat thoroughly with cool, clean water. Pat it dry, top and bottom, with an clean towel. ...
  3. Trim any pieces of cane dangling from the hole on the seat and discard them. ...

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How do you repair cane seats?

2:424:26How to Replace Pressed Cane Webbing - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipUsing wood glue or Elmer's white glue put a small bead of glue in the groove all the way around cutMoreUsing wood glue or Elmer's white glue put a small bead of glue in the groove all the way around cut off the end of the spline at a 45 degree angle.

Can a cane chair be repaired?

Caning repairs can however be carried out on many items – stools, bedroom chairs, carvers and elbow chairs etc. When cane has to be replaced we carefully remove it from the fixings before using selected cane from our own stocks to match the original.

How do you fix a hole in caning?

Apply wood glue, following package directions, carefully to the back of the patch. Position the patch, face up, over the hole. Line up the cane pattern to match. Press the patch lightly into place.

How much does it cost to Recane a chair?

If your chair has holes around its perimeter, it's an older piece and can be recaned with narrow strands of thin cane. A professional will charge about $2 a hole, so a typical chair will cost about $350. You can buy the materials for $70 and do it yourself and pocket a nice savings.

Can you glue cane webbing?

“The webbing frays easily when cut, so it needs to be glued or secured to something. For example, I put a thin line of clear glue around the outer edges of my cane napkin rings to hold them together and prevent them from fraying,” Donica says.

How do you Recane a chair seat without a spline?

0:0513:10Installing Pressed Cane with no Spline - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf you look very carefully at the edge you'll see the king goes right up to the edge of the wood.MoreIf you look very carefully at the edge you'll see the king goes right up to the edge of the wood. What we have is that the cane is held in by four pieces of wood from the underneath side.

How do you fix Cain?

2:5818:34Repairing a Cane Chair Seat - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBut the best you can you want to get into the groove here and cut loose some of the previous glueMoreBut the best you can you want to get into the groove here and cut loose some of the previous glue and the key is to make sure that you're not cutting into the chair.

How do you fix a broken chair seat?

6:147:23How to Fix a Wooden Chair Seat - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipMaking sure you've got full coverage reassemble clamp the pieces. And clean up the glue. And lastlyMoreMaking sure you've got full coverage reassemble clamp the pieces. And clean up the glue. And lastly touch up any fish or required.

How do you reinforce a chair seat?

0:442:28How to fix a dining room chair cheaply.drooping chair seat fix. - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI fit my pieces in there. It met the lip of the wood from the underside of the chair perfectly. IMoreI fit my pieces in there. It met the lip of the wood from the underside of the chair perfectly. I got my wood screws in there and then I reinforced it once again after.

How much does it cost to fix a cane chair?

Labor: $1.40/per drilled hole, plus materials ($20-$40). More than 72 holes: $1.45/per drilled hole, plus materials. Holes are drilled around the perimeter of chair seat frame and individual strands of cane are hand woven through the series of drilled holes.

How long does it take to cane a chair seat?

How long will my first cane seat take to weave? Well...that's a bit of a "how long is a piece of string.." question, but most people seem to take between 8 and 12 hours for their first attempt. However, please remember that you don't have to do all of the work in one sitting, you can spread it over days or even weeks.

How much does it cost to re rush a chair seat?

The most common rush seats are pictured to the left. These are ladderbacks that needed a makeover. This service costs $8.00/inch. A typical chair like the ones pictured will cost around $96.00 plus $10.00 for a color match if you wish.

How long does cane chair last?

5-25 yearsWith reasonable care, attention, and use, your cane-seated chair should last from 5-25 years. But if you notice a few broken strands or a hole becoming bigger, place a padded cushion over the seat to gain many more months or even years of use.

How do you reinforce a cane chair?

0:216:12How To Re Cane A Chair Seat In Under 10 Mins - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd make sure it here's where the front legs come sit so I'm going to try and get that nice of theMoreAnd make sure it here's where the front legs come sit so I'm going to try and get that nice of the square with the front here so when I put the retain on is the spline. You put the rattan.

How long does it take to Recane a chair?

Well...that's a bit of a "how long is a piece of string.." question, but most people seem to take between 8 and 12 hours for their first attempt. However, please remember that you don't have to do all of the work in one sitting, you can spread it over days or even weeks.

How do you seal a cane webbing?

1:563:24Introduction to Installing Cane Webbing in Furniture - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThen line up the reed splines over the cane webbing. And in the channel. Use a mallet to tap theMoreThen line up the reed splines over the cane webbing. And in the channel. Use a mallet to tap the spline into the channel. Working back and forth along the spline.

How to cut a chair seat?

Use a jigsaw to cut ½” plywood or MDF to shape of chair seat. Use serrated knife or electric carving knife to cut cushion foam to same shape. Use a pair of scissors to cut upholstery or quilt batting to same shape as well. Stick batting to foam and then foam to plywood cutout using spray adhesive. Tip: Because of the back, it might be difficult to trace seat shape directly onto plywood, so make a paper template and trace that to ensure a good fit.

How to attach seat cover to chair?

Prepare to Attach Seat Cover to Chair. Place newly made seat cover onto work surface, batting-side down. Turn chair upside-down and set on top of seat cover, directly onto plywood/MDF side. Line up seat cover with chair seat. With scissors, cut a square out of cardboard that will fit over hole in caning.

How to make a chair seat with a jigsaw?

Use a jigsaw to cut 1/2" plywood or MDF into shape of chair seat. Then cut coordinating piece of upholstery foam using a serrated knife or electric carving knife. Use a pair of scissors to cut upholstery or quilt batting to same shape as well. Using spray adhesive, glue batting to foam, then foam to plywood cutout.

How to secure a cardboard seat to a wood seat?

Cut lengths of upholstery cardboard stripping and use them to secure cardboard piece to wood seat base. Staple upholstery strip every few inches, using two strips, one on each side of cardboard piece to fully secure it.

Can you kick a caned chair to the curb?

When a caned seat is punctured, there is no need to kick it to the curb or pay to have it re-caned by hand. This simple repair option will make the chair functional again.

Can you replace a broken toilet seat?

Remove and replace a broken or old toilet seat in no time. We share the easy steps below.

Can you slipcover a dining chair?

How to Slipcover a Dining Chair. Dining chairs are the perfect candidates for slipcovers because they have simple shapes and are most likely to be the victim of occasional spills. Washable slipcovers with skirts and ties add function and a bit of flirty style to any dining space.

Why cut out old cane seats?

I like to cut out the old cane seat to give myself a bit more room to maneuver around. You can cut closer to the edge as I did!

How to replace a round chair seat?

Place it on top of your chair. It should be bigger than the seat. Now, cut it to size with about ½ to 1 inch of overhang on all four sides (or all around in case of a round seat). Find the wooden wedges that should have come with your replacement seat. Align the cane and press it into the groove with one of the wedges.

How to align a cane?

Align the cane and press it into the groove with one of the wedges. Take your time now to align the seat front to back and left to right. It is much easier to do this now than later! Find the next wooden wedge and press the cane into the front groove with it. Check it for straight alignment one more time.

How many wedges are needed to hold a cane?

With the four wedges holding the cane in place, carefully remove any unneeded strands on the outside. This helps with putting in the spline.

How to get cane out of a cane?

With the box cutter or the chisel, carefully cut away any excess cane that is sticking out.

How long should I soak a car seat?

Now would be a good time to soak the replacement seat in lukewarm water for about 20 – 30 minutes. I always like to set myself a timer so I don’t forget!

Can you replace a cane chair?

Obviously, you need the cane chair replacement. It is very easy to find online. When you do order it, make sure it actually matches the hole sizes of your existing cane chairs.

How to remove old cane seat?

While the cane is soaking, remove the old seating. Using a flathead screwdriver, carefully pry the old spline. If it does not remove easily, use a sharp utility knife to cut around the edge of the spline and carefully pry it with the edge of the screwdriver to break away the old glue. After the old cane has been removed, wipe the area with a clean rag.

Why do cane chairs sag?

Sagging is one of the most common problems with cane furniture. The seats of a cane chair eventually begin to sag. This type of chair should never be sat on when wet, because the material will stretch and sag. Ironically, water that causes sagging cane seats can be used to repair the problem. If the chair is not sagging too much, then it can probably be restored.

How to fix a sagging chair seat?

To repair and tighten a sagging chair seat, turn the chair over and wipe the cane with a damp cloth or sponge. Avoid getting water on the frame. Allow the cane to dry for at least 24 hours. As the material dries, it will shrink and tighten, which should repair slight sagging. Mist the cane once a month while in use, and allow it to dry completely before using. Besides keeping the material taut, the monthly misting will prevent cracks and breaks.

Can you repair a chair with cane?

A chair with cane seating is easier to repair than most people realize as long as the material used was woven by a machine. Machine woven cane is attached with a spline. Spline and cane materials are very easy to remove and replace. They are also easy to make slipcovers for. Sometimes a simple repair can be performed rather than a full replacement.

How to fix a broken cane chair

The first thing I did was remove the broken cane seat with a razor knife:

Paint

To prep for paint, I gave the main parts of this chair a quick cleaning with White Lightning and used my shop vac on the cane parts.

The after

This would have been a fantastic piece to highlight with colored wax, but I went for a simple, cottage-inspired shabby look for this one!

How to clean a cane seat?

Clean the cane seat thoroughly with a soft clean cloth and a solution of 1/4 cup white vinegar, 3/4 cup warm water and three drops of liquid dish soap. Get into the crevices with a soft toothbrush or a similar brush.

How to patch a hole in a cane?

Apply wood glue, following package directions, carefully to the back of the patch. Position the patch, face up, over the hole. Line up the cane pattern to match. Press the patch lightly into place.

What to use to patch holes in cane?

Wax. Black tea helps your cane patch blend in. Holes in a chair's cane seat are eyesores that suggest a certain level of household disrepair, but you can fix them yourself with a little effort. If the seat is machine-woven cane and the hole is small, you may get away with gluing a piece of matching cane over the hole and tucking the edges under ...

How to get a stained cane to blend in?

Brew a strong cup of black tea if the new patch is too light to blend in with the original cane. Paint the patch carefully with the tea, using a small paintbrush. Allow the tea to seep in. Repeat until the patch blends in. Allow 24 hours or more for the stained cane to dry.

Why wax a seat spline?

Wax the spline and the entire seat to protect the surface from spills and staining.

Why do you wax canes?

Wax the cane periodically to protect it and keep it pliant. Wax is preferable to varnish, because it allows a wet, sagging cane seating to shrink back to size as it dries.

How long does it take for a car seat to dry?

Rinse the seat thoroughly with cool, clean water. Pat it dry, top and bottom, with an clean towel. Let the seat dry 24 hours or more , until all of the moisture is gone.

How to get cane webbing out of chair back?

Place the trimmed cane webbing over the back of the chair and align so that it is straight and covers the groove in the chair back by at least a half inch. Use the wedges, or spatulas, to push the cane webbing in part way. Don’t be too aggressive, you don’t want the cane to break.

How do I cut a cane on a chair?

I used the utility knife and gently pressed it against the cane and it cut easily. Trim excess cane all the way around the chair back.

What is the tool used to remove a spline from a chair?

A tool with a curved end used to remove the old spline from the chairs. If you can not find a spline chisel, or don’t want to order one, a small flat head screwdriver works really well.

How to remove a spline from a chair?

Carefully pry loose the spline by gently running a utility knife along either side and lift out with the spline chisel or small flat head screwdriver. If the spline is stuck, it may be the hide glue won’t loosen. In that case, make a solution of equal parts warm water and white vinegar to soak the spline. Be sure there is a tarp or towels down so your flooring or work surface doesn’t get damaged. Remove the old spline and cane. Let chair dry before continuing.

What is a reed for a chair?

Reed that is specially shaped to fit into the groove that anchors the cane webbing into a chair’s seat frame. When ordering, order a foot more than you need to allow for cuts or mistakes. When choosing spline for the chair, pick a spline that fits loosely enough in the groove when it is dry that you don’t need to pry it out.

What is cane webbing?

Cane Webbing. The pre-woven cane used to replace the cane in chairs with a groove. Utilizes spline and glue to hold cane webbing in place instead of the chair back style with the holes that the cane is strung through. There are different types of weave, see the picture below I found on Pinterest.

How long does it take for a chair spline to dry?

Use clamps around the perimeter of the chair to hold the spline in the groove. Let dry for 24-48 hours. DO NOT put out in the sun to dry!

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