How to Replace Vinyl Straps on Metal Lawn Chairs

Vinyl lawn chair webbing or the vinyl straps used on metal lawn chairs to hold you or cushions are installed two ways: Wrapped and glued or riveted on. You can purchase replacement webbing and do this job yourself with simple hand tools.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Hole punch
• Rivet gun
• Rivets
• Webbing
• Wooden block
• Hammer
• Epoxy (2-part)

1. 
   Few used- cushions needed

   There are two kinds of webbing; solid vinyl straps and light weight woven vinyl. The solid straps are rolled around the frame several times into an epoxy glue mixture; usually only a few straps are used. Cushions disperse body weight over the straps in this design, which is frequently used on painted metal lawn or deck furniture that doesn't fold up.
   
   The second type of webbing, where a rivet and a backer are drawn tight with a rivet gun through several layers, will support a person without the need for cushions, and are generally used on folding metal lawn chairs and chaise lounges.
   Remove the old vinyl straps if they're still on the chair by cutting them off along the underside of the chair frame. Since they're probably stretched or broken, you won't be using them for a pattern so just discard them. Note the pattern if you are doing an exact replacement of woven vinyl webbing. A quick photo before disassembly is a good idea.

2. Clean the chair frame thoroughly while the straps are removed and allow to dry. Paint if needed. Most folding chairs are made from lightweight aluminum and will only require some soap and water. Do what ever prep work is needed while you have easy access, like a quick rub with steel wool to take off oxidation in the areas between the old straps.

3. To weave solid vinyl straps, attach all the horizontal straps first: Measure off the amount of material needed plus enough extra to wrap around the frame 2 times on each end. Apply a narrow bead of epoxy around the frame where the strap will sit and wind the new one around so that it covers itself twice before passing it to the other side. Add another dab of glue as you make the last wrap, so that the vinyl strap is glued to the frame and to itself. Repeat the procedure for the other side of the frame, rolling the slack into the epoxy with your palms. Wipe off any stray glue before it hardens and clean according to directions.

4. For the lightweight woven webbing that rivets on, make a fold so that the rivets will go through at least two thicknesses of strap, and mark the position of the rivet with a dot. Remove the strap to a work surface, reposition the folds and punch a hole for the rivet with the hammer and a small hole cutter. Clamp the strap in place and mark the other end for it's rivet. Punch the holes and check the fit.

5. Determine the number of straps you will need that length, and cut them all carefully, using the punched one as a control strap. Once they're all cut and punched, attach them to the chair panel with rivets and backing washers. Thread the first vertical strap through and determine the correct length for those. Wrap and fold the ends as you did for the horizontal ones and mark for the rivet. Cut and punch all the vertical vinyl straps needed for that part of the chair frame and weave them through as the originals were. Repeat for the remaining chair sections.

Tips & Warnings

• The correct draw length and diameter are important when choosing the rivets.

[ScarlettOHairy]

on 3/19/2009 Good directions. I've done the webbed strips before and it's pretty easy.

[JanieWrites]

on 3/11/2009 I've had to do this before - it is a job, but worth it because you don't have to buy a whole new chair just because one or two straps go bad. Good tips! Thanks.

[kerrylf]

on 3/10/2009 Thanks.