how to repair wicker table top

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. Remove the reeds from the water and place them on a pile of clean paper towels.
4. 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.
5. Glue the strands in place. Once the reed is all the way through, add a drop of wood glue to the ends.
6. Secure the ends with carpet tacks after 30 minutes. Insert carpet tacks right on the ends of the replacement reeds once the wood glue is dry.

Full Answer

How do you repair damaged wicker furniture?

Glue the damaged strips of the wicker furniture with resin epoxy. Replace old strips with new plastic wicker strips after cutting them with a scissor. Using a pair of needle-nose pliers, weave the end of the strip in the backside to repair and attach the strips. Optionally, paint the new section to match the color.

Can wicker furniture get damaged over time?

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. Then, carefully tuck the reeds back into the wicker pattern and hold them down for several seconds.

How do you fix Wicker strips that have ripped?

Glue the damaged strips of the wicker furniture with plastic glue. Replace old strips with new plastic wicker strips after cutting them with a scissor. Using a pair of needle-nose pliers, weave the end of the strip in the backside to repair and attach the strips.

How to replace plastic rattan furniture with wicker?

To replace sections of the plastic rattan furniture, you will need to new plastic rattan wicker. 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.

How do you restore a wicker table?

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.

What glue works best on wicker?

Spread a generous amount of wood glue onto the areas where the wicker will be reattached. Use an invisible or clear type of glue. On twisted areas, untwist the wicker slightly so that the glue penetrates between the twisted strands.

How do you fix wicker unraveling?

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.

How do you fix a hole in a wicker?

0:132:18How to Repair Torn Wicker - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThen we're going to attach it to the old end and cut back the old end in the spots where we don'tMoreThen 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. So we're going to just weave this new piece through. And over top of the old one.

What glue will stick rattan furniture?

Step One: Cut out the broken strand(s) of rattan from your furniture and dispose of them. Step Two: Mix the 2-part epoxy resin glue. Step Three: Make sure that the replacement strand of rattan is longer than the strand you have cut out.

How do you fix wicker on outdoor furniture?

How to Fix Faux Wicker Patio FurnitureClean the Faux Wicker Patio Furniture. ... Remove Broken and Frayed Ends. ... Cut a New Resin Strip to Fit. ... Apply a Quick-Set or Non-Quick-Set Epoxy. ... Weave the Strip Into Place. ... Glue the Ends Together Before Trimming. ... Touch Up the Section as Necessary.

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.”

What can I do with old wicker furniture?

If your wicker furniture has seen better days, transform it into whimsical but useful accents for your home or garden.Stenciled Beauty. 1/11. ... Horticultural Headboard. 2/11. ... Garden Baskets. 3/11. ... Rolling Bin. 4/11. ... Unlikely Companions. 5/11. ... Recycled Stand. 6/11. ... Flower Seats. 7/11. ... Storage Trunk. 8/11.More items...

How do you fix wicker rattan furniture?

Step One: Scrub clean. Using your soap and brush, give the rattan a good scrub. ... Step Two: Clip Off Broken/Damaged Rattan. Using your scissors or wire cutters, trim away any damaged or broken rattan. ... Step Three: Choose and Soak. ... Step Four: Measure and Cut. ... Step Five: Tuck and Glue. ... Step Six: Paint (optional)

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.

What is wicker made of?

Natural wicker is made from a variety of vines, grasses, and plants. Wicker furniture is sometimes referred to as rattan furniture, as the rattan plant is a commonly used material. Outdoor areas and coastal-style homes are popular settings for wicker furniture.

How do you stick rattan to wood?

The rattan webbing should be soaked in warm water for approximately 30 minutes before fitting. Soaking for longer period can weaken and darken the cane strands. Wipe away any excess glue with a damp cloth. Allow to dry before giving the timber a light sand and applying a finishing coat of paint or lacquer.

How do you fix plastic rattan furniture?

Glue the damaged strips of the wicker furniture with plastic glue. Replace old strips with new plastic wicker strips after cutting them with a scissor. Using a pair of needle-nose pliers, weave the end of the strip in the backside to repair and attach the strips. Optionally, paint the new section to match the color.

How do you repair a rattan chair?

How to Repair a Rattan ChairSand the Weave. Sand the sides of the rattan at the points where it will be reattached, using 200-grit sandpaper. ... Apply Wood Glue. ... Join the Pieces Together. ... Removed the Damaged Weave. ... Soak the New Weave in Water. ... Interlace the Weaves. ... Glue the Weaves Into Place. ... Trim Off Excess Pieces.

Can you glue rattan to glass?

Using the Gorilla Contact Adhesive, trace around the outer edge of one of the glass panels and then add a diagonal glue line cross through the centre. The glue will dry clear but try and do this step neatly. Add some dots of glue to the back of the cane webbing sheet too for extra joining power.

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 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 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.

Can you paint wicker furniture?

If you need to paint the repair, you can do just the area that has been repaired or do the whole thing to make the finish even. You can refer to our Painting Wicker Furniture or Tips for Painting Wicker Furniture articles for guidance.