How to fix wicker furniture

When we think about wicker, we tend to think about days gone by. Each piece is somewhat of a timeless item so you simply can’t stomach the idea of getting rid of.  Quite literally, wicker is timeless; it dates back to ancient Egypt, Rome, and China.  With roots that deep, how can we just toss a damaged piece of wicker furniture to the curb?  Not possible! Which brings us to our next question: if we can’t bear to part with it, then how can we breathe new life into our favorite old pieces?  Here are a few tips on how to bring that damaged wicker furniture back to life!

Re-Wrapping the Legs:

If the wrapping around the legs of your wicker furniture becomes unraveled, this is not the end of the piece.  With a little water, glue, wicker caning and time you can have the legs back in working order.  Most craft stores will sell the wicker canning needed to repair the legs.

Here are the quick steps to managing your DIY wicker repair:

• First you will cut the size of canning you would need, leaving an extra few inches to work with, which will be snipped off later.
• Prior to using the caning, you will need to soak it in the water for around 30 minutes to make it flexible and easier to work with.
• Once it has been soaked and is able to bend without breaking, you are ready to go.
• Add a dab of wood glue under the old wrapping and glue it down.
• Slip the new wrapping under the glued piece and secure it with a small tack.
• Now, wrap the flexible new cane around the leg until the damaged area is covered.
• At the end of the wrapping add another dab of wood glue and secure it on the leg with a small tack.
• Snip off any extra canning.
• If the caning needs to be painted or stained you can do that once the glue and wicker have dried.

This is a straightforward repair that can help keep wicker in great shape and fully functional.

Re-Weaving the Reed:

To repair a damaged reed, be it on the arm, the back or in the seat, you will need a few tools to assist in this delicate repair. Sometimes a small pair of needle nose pliers will work, or a paper clip bent into a wire tool with a hook can be used to help guide the wire in and out of the already woven piece.

You will also need to purchase new, replacement reed.  Most new reeds are sold in lengths of 36 inches or more, which is typically all you will need to repair any one piece of damaged wicker on the chair or whatever it is you are repairing.

Steps for Re-Weaving the Reed:

• First, you will need to cut and remove the damaged reed with wire cutters or a tool that will give you a smooth cut.
• Make sure to leave 1-2 inches of the original reed tucked down under the surface – the longer the length you can leave the more securely it will stay put.
• Next, soak the new reed in water for at least 15 minutes to become flexible.
• Take the flexible reed and weave it over and under the original reeds at least four times to help secure the new reed.
• Keep weaving until the damaged area is covered, using your wire tool or pliers to assist in pulling the reed in and out of the weave pattern.
• Be careful to not leave it too loose or pull too tightly – try to match the original weave pattern.
• Securely tuck in the ends underneath any intersecting pieces, preferably facing opposite from the surface.
• Snip the excess reed off to complete the weave step in the repair.
• Repeat this process with all damaged reeds.

Painting or Staining:

The finish of the furniture will determine how you finish the repair. If your piece is painted you can generally use a spray paint of the same color and touch-up the repair to have it blend in.

To paint wicker:

• Make sure to wait on this step until the glue and wicker have dried completely.
• Apply a thin layer of spray paint to evenly coat and blend with the surrounding area.
• If needed, you can repaint the entire piece.
• After the paint has dried you may want to use a can of clear acrylic spray paint to seal the repaired area.

If your wicker furniture is not painted you will want to match the stain to cover the repaired area.  When staining you will want to follow the same procedure as painting.  Make sure all glue is dried, apply a thin layer of stain evenly and blend in.  Add more stain as necessary.  You may wish to seal stained furniture as well.

Of course, if your wicker is natural and untreated you won’t need to paint or seal it.

The new piece of reed will generally have the same longevity as the original.  In repairing the furniture you may find loose spots where the wicker did not hold as tightly as you had hoped, this is ok.  It is better to have a loose area on your furniture then leaving it unrepaired.

And voilà your damage wicker is back to almost new, with minimal investment or time. With just a little elbow grease and dedication, your furniture is ready for Spring days and long summer nights.  Pat yourself on the back for resurrecting your furniture that originally dates back to ancient times!

If your repair needs a little more TLC than you are ready to provide, then feel free to give us a call at any time. Our team at Guardsman is highly experienced and ready to help you breathe new life into your old favorites.

And while synthetic wicker furniture pieces, as well as ones finished with a waterproof sealant, are okay to keep outside, Henry says that doesn't mean they're safe from effects of the elements. "Sun damage can cause wicker to become discolored and brittle," she explains. "Moisture damage can lead to rotting, and exposure to the sun and heavy use can cause the material to fray. If wicker weave unravels, it definitely needs attention."

Interested in advice on how to repair, paint, and restore your wicker furniture so it stays looking new for longer? We asked Henry to take us through the step-by-step process, and here's what she had to say.

Related: How to Paint a Wicker Sofa

Before you can assess a piece of wicker furniture for damage, Henry says you need to give it a good cleaning. "Scrape off as much flaking paint as possible with a wire brush, gently so you don't fray it," she says. Using a soft-bristle brush, she suggests carefully scrubbing the entire item with a mix of warm water and mild detergent, taking care to get in between any dirty reeds of cane, and then hosing it down, and letting it dry overnight.

Once your wicker furniture is clean and dry, the next step is to prep it for a paint job. Carefully inspect the item for damaged reeds, and glue any broken pieces back into place with wood glue and let it dry. After you've completed any repairs, Henry says to apply an oil-based primer using a natural bristle brush. "Brush slowly and consistently over each section of the piece to avoid drip marks," she says.

Now that you've prepped your piece of wicker furniture, Henry says it's time to paint it. "Using a natural bristle brush, apply two coats of oil-based paint to all parts of the item, stopping to wipe up any drips," she says. "For raw wicker, I recommend sticking with an oil stain." If you're using spray paint, slowly spray each section of the furniture lengthwise from top to bottom, and allow to dry for 24 hours before spraying on a second, but lighter coat.

If you aren't applying some kind of varnish or seal to protect your wicker furniture from future damage after cleaning and painting it, Henry says you should start now. "A clear varnish or polyurethane topcoat is the best to use," she says. "Use a synthetic brush and apply carefully to avoid drips and spills." Remember to let it dry for at least 24 hours before putting any cushions on it.

No matter how well you repair or restore it, Henry says proper maintenance is essential to extending the life of your wicker furniture. "When not in use, make sure to cover it, and keep it out of the sun," she says. "Rain and cold weather can also damage wicker. It's also important to keep dirt and dust off of wicker to avoid erosion. You can safely hose it down with water, but wait for it to dry before using, because wet wicker can start to sag when stressed."