Repairing Guides

how to repair old wicker furniture

by Lillian Kessler Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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How to Repair Wicker Furniture

  • Method 1 Repairing Loose Ends Download Article. Scan the furniture for loose ends. Examine your wicker furniture to spot...
  • Method 2 Replacing Broken Reeds Download Article. Remove broken strands of wicker. Use heavy-duty scissors or an exacto...
  • Method 3 Cleaning Wicker Furniture Download Article. Clean the cushions. Wicker furniture that...

Full Answer

Can wicker furniture be repaired?

It's easy to do basic repair, or you can use simple replacement reeds to do larger repairs! Your wicker furniture will stay in top shape if you clean it frequently and take good care of it. Scan the furniture for loose ends. Examine your wicker furniture to spot any pieces poking out.

How do you fix a broken piece of wicker?

1 Remove broken strands of wicker. Use heavy-duty scissors or an exacto knife to cut loose strands out of your wicker furniture. 2 Soak replacement reeds in warm water for 30 minutes to make them flexible. Select the replacement reeds you need to fix your damaged wicker furniture. 3 Remove excess water from the reeds. ... More items...

What do you need to repaint wicker furniture?

You will need new resin wicker strips, manicure scissors or box cutter, and plastic epoxy. Optionally, you will want to match the wicker color with matching paint or spray paint. Before starting the work, you will need to clean the furniture so that it free from dust and dirt.

How do you fix a wicker chair with loose ends?

Use wood glue to fix them. Apply a drop or 2 of wood glue to the bottom of any loose ends that are sticking out. Carefully tuck them back into the wicker pattern by pulling the strands together. Hold down the glued pieces for several seconds to allow them to bond to the chair. Do this for each loose strand you find.

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Is it worth repairing wicker furniture?

If your wicker furniture is of value to you – i.e. it's a family heirloom or it's a pricey antique piece—then you may want to consider doing some slight repairs. If you have a vintage piece, then care and repair will be essential to maintaining the longevity of your wicker furniture, even it if is in good condition.

Is there a way to repair wicker furniture?

Wicker furniture can get damaged over time, but you can easily repair it with some wood glue and loose reeds. If you have loose ends on your wicker furniture, first, apply a drop or 2 of wood glue to the bottom of the reeds.

How do you restore old wicker furniture?

When wicker with a clear finish (lacquer, shellac or varnish) becomes dull, you can usually restore its luster by rubbing with a soft cloth dampened with furniture polish or lemon oil. Minor scratches can be disguised by rubbing with a wax-stick scratch remover, available at home centers and some furniture stores.

Can you rewrap wicker furniture?

Re-Wrapping the Legs: If the wrapping around the legs of your wicker furniture becomes unraveled, this is not the end of the piece. With a little water, glue, wicker caning and time you can have the legs back in working order. Most craft stores will sell the wicker canning needed to repair the legs.

Is wicker and rattan the same?

“The difference is that rattan is a material, whereas wicker is the style and method of weaving,” Zoe explains. “Wicker can be woven from rattan as well as many other natural or synthetic materials, which is where the confusion often lies.”

How do you update wicker furniture?

12:5513:53HOW TO UPDATE WICKER FURNITURE - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBecause i wasn't sure how it was going to take the stain. And so start in a place don't start rightMoreBecause i wasn't sure how it was going to take the stain. And so start in a place don't start right on the top or the front of the piece of furniture. Start on the side or the back.

Is it better to paint or stain wicker?

The wicker should be free of any existing coatings. Paints and varnishes will prevent the transparent wood stain from penetrating the wicker surface. Transparent oil-based stain is a good choice if you are starting with unfinished, or "nude" wicker furniture.

What is the best paint for wicker?

Which paints are best for painting wicker furniture? You can use chalk paint, mineral paint, milk paint, urethane, or even oil-based paint on wicker, rattan and woven furniture.

How do you wrap wicker furniture?

0:239:47How To Bind Your Joints - 3 Methods - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd you fold it quite neatly over the point there it's a bit tricky with one hand but then you wrapMoreAnd you fold it quite neatly over the point there it's a bit tricky with one hand but then you wrap that around the back at the top one come back over the top here.

Can resin wicker be repaired?

If the resin strips in your faux wicker patio furniture are frayed, worn or cut, you can replace or repair them without too much effort or expense – and get a few more years out of the set. Check with the manufacturer for matching spare strips.

What kind of paint do you use on wicker furniture?

Question: What type of paint is used on wicker? Answer: I recommend using an oil-based indoor/outdoor house paint, applied using a compressor sprayer. It remains flexible, adheres to the wicker readily, and is extremely durable.

Can you repair resin wicker furniture?

If the resin strips in your faux wicker patio furniture are frayed, worn or cut, you can replace or repair them without too much effort or expense – and get a few more years out of the set. Check with the manufacturer for matching spare strips.

How do you fix a hole in a wicker chair?

0:132:18How to Repair Torn Wicker - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd we're going to weave that through here on both ends. Then we're going to attach it to the oldMoreAnd we're going to weave that through here on both ends. Then we're going to attach it to the old end and cut back the old end in the spots where we don't need it.

Can rattan furniture be repaired?

Not to worry—both wooden and synthetic rattan are easy to repair, and both can be fixed in the same way. If your furniture only has a few loose ends or wrappings, refer to the first method in this guide. If some sections of your furniture need a little extra TLC, skip ahead to the second method.

How do you fix the wicker on a bottom chair?

0:544:26How to Replace Pressed Cane Webbing - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe easiest way to get the spline out of the groove is to use a caning chisel but you can also useMoreThe easiest way to get the spline out of the groove is to use a caning chisel but you can also use an appropriately-sized chisel or screwdriver. Cut out the middle of the cane.

How to fix wicker furniture that is damaged?

2. Soak replacement reeds in warm water for 30 minutes to make them flexible. Select the replacement reeds you need to fix your damaged wicker furniture. Place them in a large container full of warm water. Let them sit in the water for 30 minutes.

How to get loose ends out of wicker furniture?

1. Scan the furniture for loose ends. Examine your wicker furniture to spot any pieces poking out. Do this in a well-lit area, or use a map lamp or flashlight to see things clearly. Use your hands to feel for loose ends in place that you may not be able to examine easily close up.

How long does it take for wicker to dry?

Avoid touching the furniture for 30 minutes so the glue can fully dry. If you have a section on your wicker that’s broken, first, use an Exacto knife to cut out the damaged strands. Then, soak replacement reeds in warm water for 30 minutes to make them flexible.

How to attach wicker to a chair?

Apply a drop or 2 of wood glue to the bottom of any loose ends that are sticking out. Carefully tuck them back into the wicker pattern by pulling the strands together. Hold down the glued pieces for several seconds to allow them to bond to the chair. Do this for each loose strand you find.

How to replace reeds in wicker?

Weave the replacement reeds into the wicker furniture. Thread a replacement reed into the furniture, starting from a point near the back that is less visible. Using pliers or your fingers, gently weave the reed in an out of the wicker. Follow the pattern of the wicker for the best results.

How to clean a reed from a reed?

Remove excess water from the reeds. Remove the reeds from the water and place them on a pile of clean paper towels. Gently press on the reeds with another paper towel to drain out excess water. Continue pressing on them with fresh paper towels until no more water comes out.

How to spray resin on wicker furniture?

Place the wicker furniture outdoors or in a well-ventilated area. Spray a thin layer of resin-based primer over the entire surface of your wicker furniture. Let it dry for 2-3 hours. Hold the can 2–3 inches (5.1–7.6 cm) away from the furniture when spraying it. Wear a mask to avoid inhaling fumes.

What to use to protect wicker furniture after cleaning?

Finishing matters. If you aren't applying some kind of varnish or seal to protect your wicker furniture from future damage after cleaning and painting it, Henry says you should start now. "A clear varnish or polyurethane topcoat is the best to use," she says.

How do I paint wicker furniture?

"For raw wicker, I recommend sticking with an oil stain." If you're using spray paint, slowly spray each section of the furniture lengthwise from top to bottom, and allow to dry for 24 hours before spraying on a second, but lighter coat.

What is wicker furniture made of?

Credit: Addie Juell. No matter how well-made your wicker furniture may be, over time it can start to show signs of wear and tear. "Natural wicker is made of one of several plants including rattan, willow, reed , and bamboo ," says Jane Henry of Jane Henry Studios, ...

Is it safe to keep wicker furniture outside?

And while synthetic wicker furniture pieces, as well as ones finished with a waterproof sealant, are okay to keep outside, Henry says that doesn't mean they're safe from effects of the elements. "Sun damage can cause wicker to become discolored and brittle," she explains. " Moisture damage can lead to rotting, and exposure to ...

What material is used to replace wicker reeds?

Wicker can be manufactured using natural or synthetic resin materials. Whether you use natural or resin reed, the style and size of the reed can vary and so can the colors. 3.

How long do you soak wicker reeds in water?

Note: Natural wicker reed will need to be soaked in water for at least 15 minutes to make it flexible enough to bend prior to weaving. 10. Stain and Seal Natural Wicker. If you are repairing a natural wicker product, you will need to stain or paint it to match your finish.

How to weave a reed?

Its important to remember two things: 1 You will need more length than the linear distance between start and finish of your weave because the weaving action takes up more reed than you might otherwise expect. 2 Leave at least an additional 2 inches excess at the end of each side of the new reed so that it can’t pull out the you put the finished ends tucked under the surface where they can’t be seen.

How to keep a reed in place?

Back out the end of the remaining reed so that the end is aiming down away from the surface. Leave at least 1-2 inches of the original reed tucked down under the surface. To keep a piece of reed in place properly, the more you weave it in the better it holds. So, if you can, try to remove enough original reed so that you can weave back in a pice over and under the cross members at least four to seven times, more if you like. In small areas you may have no other choice but to use a short weave over and under 2-3 cross members. In those cases, you might have to live with it being a little loose when you weave the new piece in. But its perfectly acceptable as long as the woven piece does not fall out.

How to get a replacement reed?

In order to acquire the correct replacement reed, you might need to take a sample from the damaged reed or from a piece of reed that has excess sticking out from a concealed place under the furniture. If you can acquire a sample you can show the vendor, you have a better chance of getting the right replacement or one close enough you can live with from them.

Is it hard to repair wicker furniture?

Repairing wicker furniture sounds hard and in some cases it can be. However, this lesson concentrates on replacing missing or damaged reed that is woven in one direction and not intended for highly complicated woven sections. Small repairs are very easy and doing it yourself can be a very rewarding experience. Once you get the feel for it, it’s not bad at all and it does however, take a little patience.

Do you need to paint wicker after staining?

If you are staining and not painting, you should seal the stained reed with a clear acrylic paint after its stained and dry. You won’t need to paint or seal if your wicker is natural and untreated. Go to your hardware store and buy the smallest amount of stain you can find.

How Can I Repair a Resin Wicker?

To repair your resin wicker furniture, you will need a few tools. You will need new resin wicker strips, manicure scissors or box cutter, and plastic epoxy. Optionally, you will want to match the wicker color with matching paint or spray paint.

Why is plastic wicker furniture durable?

Plastic wicker furniture lasts for a long time because they are durable and weather resistant. If you clean the furniture regularly, it will give you a nice look that outlasts regular wicker furniture. Another benefit is that it is lightweight, making the furniture, like plastic rattan tables and chairs, easy to move.

How to epoxy a weave?

With the help of a paintbrush, apply the epoxy in the empty space and insert the new strip in the weave. Lastly, connect the strips to the epoxy.

What to do if resin strips are loose?

If the resin strips are loose, you can reattach them with glue. You can use resin epoxy.

How to match furniture color?

Try to match your furniture’s color or you will have to do a touchup with matching paint. Then, you will need a pair of needle-nose pliers. For the finishing touch, you will need a paintbrush and a similar colored paint. Spray paint will also do the job to match your color or redo the color of your furniture.

What are the benefits of rattan furniture?

Another benefit is that it is lightweight, making the furniture, like plastic rattan tables and chairs, easy to move.

Why use a weave puller?

The reason to use these tools is to pull the strips that are damaged from the weave.

How long does it take to restore wicker furniture?

It may take days or months to completely restore your wicker piece depending on the severity of the damage, shop scheduling, and other factors. Ask for a receipt, a work order, or job order, something proving you left the item in their care. And also ask for an estimated time of completion and pickup.

What is wicker furniture?

What really is “ wicker furniture ” and what all does that word encompass? The word “wicker” is used to describe any woven furniture (or basket) that’s made with pliable materials.

What is wicker baby carriage?

Wicker baby carriage made in a shoe motif. If your wicker repair shop does appraisals ask them what qualifications and certifications they have to back up this service. For a competent and valid appraisal, the person giving it should be a certified antique wicker appraiser.

What is round wicker weave?

Frequently any type of round plant material such as willow or round rattan reed is referred to as having a “wicker weave” though.

What is a wicker chair made of?

This chair is made entirely of wood with a handwoven hole-to-hole cane seat applied to the frame. It is frequently referred to as a “wicker seat” by the general public, but in reality should be referred to as a handwoven cane seat chair.

Is wicker a plant?

But many times “ wicker ” is mistakenly thought of and referred to, as an actual plant or material itself. The word “ wicker ” actually refers to the “act of weaving” with pliable fibers. Or, it’s the final woven end product such as a wicker table, chair, couch, lamp, or buggy, but it is not an actual weaving material.

Can you make an antique?

You can’t make an antique and if you try, it’s simply a reproduction.”. Try everything you can to care for wicker and preserve those fine antique pieces; repair, restore and refurbish. Sometimes all you need is to paint your wicker furniture or to clean it up; treasure your family heirlooms and flea market finds!

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