Wicker Furniture Repair

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Wicker Furniture Repair

Wicker wood furniture is some of the most comfortable furniture to sit in and is great to look at. We find it on decks, patios and porches in many different styles and colors. It is durable and will last for generations if it is properly cared for and minor repairs are made. Because it is so comfortable it gets a lot of use and sometimes rough use resulting in broken cane strands. If it is outside the cane dries out from the weather causing it to crack. Wicker furniture repair is quite easy with a few household tools, glue, tacks, and repair cane. The repair offered here is a simple way to repair your damaged wicker furniture. Do not discard wicker furniture simply because it is old and shows the years of use and age. Replacing it will cost a bundle, repairing it will only cost a few dollars and you can do it.

The first thing to do to start your project of wicker furniture repair is to make a trip to your local craft store and purchase a roll of wicker caning, some small tacks, and furniture glue. Caning usually comes in a roll although some stores sell the heavy cane in 12 inch strips of different diameters. Select what is best for your repair need. Nearly all caning comes in a neutral basket color, therefore, if your furniture has a painted or neutral finish you will have to do some finish touch up after you make the repairs. In addition, you will need to pick up some furniture glue such as Gorilla or Elmer’s.

Making wicker furniture repairs:

1. Soak the cane in water for about 30 minutes to soften it. The softened cane will be more flexible and easier to bend and apply, particularly when wrapping legs.

2. Remove the piece of cane that is broken or dried out that you want to replace by cutting the ends with a utility knife.

3. If the damage is on a wrapped leg simply rewrap the damaged area with the new cane using small tacks to fold it in place. Lightly paint each end approximately one inch, with glue and let dry. After drying remove the tacks. The glue will hold the new cane in place.

4. If the damage is in the body (back, side, or arms) the repair is easier than repairing a wrapped leg. Cut out the damaged pieces and cut a new strand of cane to replace it. The new piece can be either butt glued in place to the old cane or it may be overlap the old cane and glued. If it is overlapped you will want to cut the new piece about an inch longer to perform the splice. Apply glue to the ends and hold it in place with tacks, clamps, or masking tape until it thoroughly dries. After drying remove the tacks (optional), clamps, and masking tape.

5. If the damage is in a weave pattern remove the damaged cane by cutting it out and weave in replacement cane following the original weave pattern. Tuck the ends of new cane into the weave pattern and glue the ends of the cane and let dry.

6. Now it’s time to apply the finish on the repaired areas. If the finish is painted use spray paint to touch up the area unless you want to repaint the entire piece of furniture. If it is a natural color simply wipe on a finish varnish and let dry.

By making this repair to your wicker furniture yourself you have just saved a bundle of money and you have to admit that it looks great. Congratulations for a job well done.