How to Repair Patio Furniture

Patio furniture can take a beating from the natural elements: Rain, wind and snow can cause a great deal of damage to umbrellas and glass patio tables. In addition, patio cushions receive abuse from the sun, which causes fading. To restore your festive outdoor entertainment activities, it is essential to repair your furniture. Wait until winter ends and then choose a time in the early spring to revamp your patio area.

Things You'll Need

• Screws
• Screwdriver
• Felt padding
• Patches
• Liquid stripper
• Spray primer
• Spray paint
• Fabric
• Pins
• Needle
• Thread

Instructions

1. Clean up your patio. Then, inspect your patio furniture for damage. Make a list of everything that needs to be repaired as well as the supplies you need. Cushions might need new fabric, a patio table might need glass and umbrellas can be repaired with iron-on patches.

2. Sit on your patio furniture to find any wobbling chairs. Tighten the chair's screws to restore stability. You can even out wobbly chairs by placing felt floor protecting padding under their legs.

3. Fix torn umbrellas by ironing on patches to the top of the material. Snip a small piece of umbrella fabric to take with you to a hobby or fabric store. Pick out an iron-on patch that is made from outdoor material and matches the color. Place the iron-on patch over the tear and iron.

4. Paint over chipped wrought iron furniture. Apply a liquid stripper to the wrought iron. Paint on an aerosol spray primer specifically made for metal that contains a rust inhibitor.

5. Measure patio furniture cushions and purchase outdoor fabric based on their measurements. Pin the fabric directly on the cushions and sew on the old material for quick reupholstering.

Tips & Warnings

• Contact your patio manufacturer for furniture parts. Find out if they sell separate parts, such as legs or backs of chairs, for severally damaged furniture.

• Refrain from using furniture that is not specifically made for the outdoors, because it will decay within one season.

References

• Danny Lipford: How to Paint Anything Outside
• Street Directory: 4 Tips for Your Patio