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Step 1
Do you have an old peice of wicker furniture that is need of repair? Does it have broken strands? Don't throw it out. In this article I will provide you with simple steps on how to repair wicker furniture and save money. It really is easier than you might imagine! The first thing you need to do is make a trip to the craft store. You will need to purchase a roll of wicker caning and a container of small thumb tacks. The caning comes in a plain basket color but can be painted to match your particular peice after you have completed the repair. You will also need to pick up some permanent glue ( such as super glue) while you are out. The only other item you will need to purchase is spray paint. This may be less expensive when purchased at the dollar general or walmart.
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Step 2
Now that you have your supplies your ready to repair your soon to be beautiful wicker furniture. Fill a bucket with water. You will need to soak the caning for about 30 minutes to soften it. This makes it more flexible and easier to work with. First we will talk about how to repair missing stands on the leg or Frame of your wicker peice. Find the place that needs to be repaired and place a small amount of glue under the end of the lose strand of caning to hold it in place. Take the new strand and place it on the spot where you will be wrapping and tack it in place. Wrap a sufficient amount of caning around the leg to cover the missing or damaged area, then glue the new end in place. Place a tack on the end to be certain it is secure.
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Step 3
You may have areas of the body of your wicker furniture that need repair. This is a fairly simple process as well, and is done very much the same way as mending the legs and frame. Be sure to soak the caning so that it is flexible. Measure the area that has a missing or broken strand. Cut a length of new strand that is two inches longer than the measured area. With a utility knife or work scissors you will need to trim away any strands of broken caning that are rough or sticking up. Glue the end of the original cane down. Place glue on the end of the new strand and place it intersecting with the original cane( stick in the woven cane , just beside the broken peice). Now begin weaving in the same pattern as the rest of the peice. You may need to pull the ends through with a pair of needle nose pliers if the weave is extremely tight. Once you have finished weaving the new strand in place tuck the end into the weave so that it stick out of the back of your furniture and cut away the excess end.
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Step 4
You have now repaired the missing strands of cane but your peice probably still looks a bit tired. No need to fret the furniture can still be easily transformed into beauty with a simple coat of paint. If you repaired only a small area of your wicker furniture then you may be able to match the paint and spray only the mended area. In most cases where the peice has some age it is best to just apply an even all over layer of paint as it gives it a renewed fresh look. It is very simple to spay paint and most often truly will give it a brand new appearance.
Comments
SGSN said
on 8/25/2009 Thanks so much! I do want to ask you...what should I do if the back of the seat has weakened (flaky) wickers, and also, the back of the seat is not attached to the wicker at the bottom of the back of the chair. its a small gap, but is big enough to cause trouble when sitting.
Sure would appreciate it if you could help!
Glory (SGSN)
leaper said
on 2/23/2009 This is great advice, and is really a lost art.
moonlitcrystal said
on 2/19/2009 Great advice. No sense in getting rid of wicker furniture when you can fix it up!
toph said
on 2/17/2009 This is a really practical and useful article. I think you could pick up a lot of wicker furniture that has been discarded or is being sold cheap, and fix it up. Thanks! Five/Five.