How to Fix and Restore Wicker Furniture for Your Outdoor Area?

Outdoor furniture is usually selected considering resistance to sunlight, rain, snow, strong wind, and other extreme weather elements without compromising on style and visual impact as it affects the overall aesthetic of the outdoor space. Wicker furniture is one of the most popular choices for outdoor furniture owing to its rustic charm, unparalleled comfort, and remarkable design. No matter how sturdy wicker furniture is, it tends to show signs of wear and tear due to prolonged exposure to extreme weather elements. Who would like to dispose of their prized possession of wicker furniture? If your outdoor wicker furniture calls for repair, we are here to guide you through the steps to repair it using the DIY method.

The Issues With Wicker Furniture When Exposed to Extreme Weather Conditions

Outdoor wicker furniture is exposed to harsh weather conditions, which result in common wear and tear over the years, such as fading or discoloration, broken weaves, and cracks in the weaves.

Fading or Discoloration

The most common issue with outdoor wicker furniture is fading or discoloration due to exposure to sunlight. The best way to restore the color of these furniture is to use paint specifically meant for outdoor materials, which gives a new look to the pieces of furniture and also increases their lifespan.

Broken Weaves

Loose or broken weaves are another common issue with outdoor wicker furniture, which affects the visual appeal of the outdoor space as well as the structure of the furniture. It's essential to get the broken weaves fixed at the earliest so that it doesn't get worse with the passing of time, turning into a big problem.

Cracks in the Furniture

Wicker furniture is prone to cracks and splits due to prolonged exposure to heat and moisture, but it's easy to repair and restore the furniture using the right technique.

Tips to Consider When Repairing Wicker Furniture

It's advisable to replace one damaged wicker strand one at a time as it helps you to maintain the consistency of the original weaving pattern. Also, when replacing multiple adjacent strands, try not to keep the old and the new pieces in a fixed line to ensure the old material seamlessly blends with the new material. Arranging old and new pieces in a fixed line will make even the slightest difference in color and material texture of the new wicker noticeable to the guests.

Guide to Repair and Restore Outdoor Wicker Furniture

The repair of the outdoor wicker furniture requires an assessment of the repair work and the use of the right repair material. Here is the guideline to proceed with the repair work.

Materials Required

• A bucket of warm water.

• Mild detergent or dish soap for cleaning.

• Any used toothbrush.

• Grit sandpaper

• Pair of pliers

• Scissor

• Dry microfiber cloth

• Spray paint

• Spray varnish

• Hot glue gun or wood glue

Make an Assessment of the Damage

The primary step to repairing the wicker furniture is to make the correct assessment of the wear and tear. It will help you arrange material accordingly and have better clarity over the process and time taken. Take the exact measurement of the wicker pieces needed and get matching color and material to blend well with the original color and material.

Furniture Cleaning

It's time to clean the dirt, mildew, and grime from the furniture using a cleaning solution prepared from a mild detergent or dish soap and a toothbrush to clean all the crevices. Then, wipe the surface and let it dry before moving to the next step.

Preparation Work

In this step, sand the surface to smoothen it using grit sandpaper. Sanding will make the surface smooth by removing rough edges and paint peelings. Then, gently wipe it with a damp cloth and allow the furniture to dry completely.

Begin the Repair

Identify the first damaged reed and remove it: Once you identify the first damaged reed, cut the strand and start removing it using your fingers or a weaving tool. In order to retain the original weaving pattern, replace the damaged reed before jumping to the next reed. You can easily maintain consistency with this method. Continue to replace the other reeds with the same process all around the damaged parts of the furniture.

Leave extra length at the end once one piece is woven: Once you are done weaving one reed, leave extra length on one end and then move to the other end of the new reed and cut it to ensure it overlaps with the loose end of the original reed.

Weave loose ends together: At this step, weave both the loose ends together and apply glue to stick them together.

Repeat the process on the other end of the strand: Now, repeat the same process as above on the other end of the replacement strand. Similarly, continue to replace the damaged reeds one at a time to complete the repair work.

Sanding

Now after repair work, it's time to smoothen the rough areas and also where paint is peeling. Use fine-grit sandpaper for sanding. You can use a leaf blower to blow away the dust and then wipe the surface with a soft, damp cloth so that the paint sticks to the surface for a smooth finish.

Paint the Furniture

The last step is to spray paint the wicker furniture evenly for a smooth look. Spray paint in all directions, allow it to dry completely, and then spray a coat of lacquer for finishing.

Understand the Difference Between Rattan and Wicker to Avoid Confusion

Many people tend to get confused between rattan and wicker and use the term interchangeably. You should know the difference to make an informed choice while selecting furniture for the backyard or patio. Let's know the exact difference between the two.

Conclusion

Wicker furniture looks amazing in the outdoor area, be it a patio, a small balcony of an apartment, or a backyard. However, the challenge remains in their extended exposure to sunlight, snow, rain, and other weather conditions that cause frequent wear and tear. On noticing any damage, you should fix the problem at the earliest following the steps discussed above in the article.