Wicker furniture is prone to breaks and cracks, but with the right tools. You can repair your broken chair leg or arm yourself. And the result can be better than a new piece of furniture.
Most repairs involve replacing a missing or damaged reed. The easiest and most effective way to replace a reed is to follow the same weaving pattern used throughout the chair.
1. Glue
Nothing turns a patio into a relaxing spot like sitting in an inviting wicker chair repair. But when a leg or arm breaks, it can be a pain to remove and repair.
A wicker chair repair seat frames use mortise-and-tenon joints (a prong or tongue in one end of the joining piece) or dowelled joints (pegs of wood hold the pieces together).
- These are joined with triangular glue blocks notched to fit the legs, but they might also be held by a hidden nail or screw fasteners.
- If your broken wicker chair repair leg or arm hasn’t rusted. You might be able to repair it by applying some linseed oil and letting it soak in for 24 hours.
- The oil will strengthen the area, and it will also allow you to apply wood glue more easily.
- Before you start, however, you need to detach the seat and remove any cushions that are still attached.
- These can often attract dust and other contaminants that can make it more difficult to work on the furniture.
Once the wicker has been removed, examine it for loose ends that can be fixed with some wood glue. This will prevent them from working their way out and causing damage to the wicker.
2. Stray strands for wicker chair repair
When you find stray strands, pull them back and fold them in place, using the wicker pattern to guide you. When you’re satisfied that they are firmly secured, tuck them under another strand and glue the end in place with a push pin. Repeat this process for each strand that is loose.
You can also try using a small piece of wicker cane to fix the break.
The cane will need to be cut the same size as the broken wicker leg. You can buy the cane at a craft or hobby store.
Next, sand the portion of the wicker that will be reattached lightly with 200-grit sandpaper. This will rough up the surface slightly and help the glue form a stronger bond, says Dvorak.
Alternatively, you can re-weave the broken wicker chair repair leg or arm by threading new reeds into the woven fabric. This is more involved than repairing a simple tear, but it can give your wicker chair a new look and feel. Typically, reeds are threaded into the wicker frame starting from a point near the back that is less visible. Then, you weave the reeds around the wicker until they’re all incorporated into the woven pattern. Once the reeds are woven into the wicker, they’ll be secure and durable enough to be used again.
3. Re-weave for wicker chair repair
Wicker furniture is a classic, timeless piece that can be used in both indoor and outdoor settings. Over time, however, wicker can begin to wear or break. Fortunately, a wicker chair repair leg or arm can often be repaired.
To re-weave, a broken wicker leg chair repair or arm, first, inspect the damaged section for signs of damage and remove any loose or worn areas. This can be done by gently wiping the affected area with a dry cloth.
Next, identify the area that needs to be mended and determine what materials you need. The type of wicker furniture you have will be the biggest factor in determining which materials you need to repair it. A chair or couch will typically require mending of the legs and seating. While a table will need repairs to its reeds.
If your chair leg or arm is a natural wicker piece, you may be able to find a replacement strand of wicker at your local craft store. These strands are usually sold in lengths of 36 inches or more, which should be enough to cover the broken area.
4. Resin Reeds for wicker chair repair
For resin reed, however, it will be more difficult to find an exact match. You will probably need to settle for a color or size that is closer to the original.
Replacement strand
Once you have a replacement strand of wicker, thread it onto your pliers or your fingers and weave it into the damaged area of the furniture. Begin near the back of the piece and work your way forward until you reach the broken portion.
Woven pattern
A woven pattern can help you to keep the reed in place, but you should not worry if it isn’t perfectly matching. As long as you can keep the reed in place, you’ll have a good-looking repair.
If you’re unsure of how to properly re-weave the wicker, contact a wicker dealer for help. They can advise you on the best techniques to use and will be able to supply you with the reeds needed for your project.
5. Repair the Tenon
If your wicker chair leg or arm has a broken tenon. It's possible to repair the part without having to replace it. However, if you are not experienced in repairing wicker furniture, it may be best to leave it to professionals.
The tenon is the wooden part of a woven seat frame that joins the legs or arms to the seat base. It is usually supported by a triangular glue block notched to fit the seat bottom, but it can also be held together with dowels.
Repair a broken wicker
To repair a broken wicker chair tenon, first, clean the wicker with warm water and a mild cleanser to remove any dirt or debris. Then, dry it thoroughly and apply a coat of lacquer or shellac.
Wicker dried
After the wicker has dried, you can use wood glue to fix any loose ends that may be protruding from the frame. Hold each piece in place for a few seconds to let it bond. Repeat this for any stray strands that you might see.
When the glue has dried, you can then replace any broken reeds on the faulty section. To do this, follow the same weaving style used throughout your wicker furniture.
6. Reeds
You can purchase reeds at your local hardware store, but it is more difficult to find replacement reeds for natural rattan wicker. Resin reeds are typically available, but it is harder to find a match than with natural wicker.
If you can't get a good match, try a different color or size of reed. It might be more expensive, but you will likely end up with a better product in the long run.
Once you've found the reeds that match your damaged wicker, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes before using them to repair the tenon. You can also try soaking them in vinegar or salt, but this will make them more brittle and less likely to be durable.
Steps
Next, cut a small piece of soft wood -- pine quarter-round, if you have it -- that is the same diameter as the saw cut in the tenon.
- Set the tenon into the wedge so it is about as wide as it is deep.
- Gently tap the wedge into the saw cut to enlarge it, but do not pound so hard that you split the tenon.
- You might need to use a utility knife or pocket knife to trim away any excess wood from the wedge.
7. Re-attach the Seat
If the seat of your wicker chair repair is loose or missing, you can repair it using wood glue. The first step is to examine the seat for any loose strands that are protruding. If you can, do this in a well-lit space or with a map lamp or flashlight to help you see where the strands are.
Apply a drop or two of wood glue to the base of each loose end. Then, pull the strands together and carefully fold them back into the wicker pattern. Hold them in place for a few seconds to let the glue bond.
- Repeat this process for each stray strand you come across, working from the front to the back of the chair leg or arm.
- You can also use a metal reinforcement, such as an angle brace or chair leg brace, to fix the broken joint.
- The advantage of this is that it can make the joint even tighter, so it may not be necessary to replace the leg.
- To re-attach the seat to the wicker chair leg or arm, you can either pin it to the frame of the chair or use the screws that attach the leg or arm to the frame to fasten the seat to the chair.
- The screws should be long enough to fit into the screw holes of the chair leg or arm. If they aren't long enough, drill new holes.
- Many older chairs have a tack strip that holds the seat to the frame instead of screws.
To remove the strip, pry it off with a flathead screwdriver. If the old tracks are still in place, they can be removed with needle-nose pliers.
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