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Repairing Rattan Furniture: The Ultimate Guide

A rattan chair in a bohemian-style backyard A rattan chair in a bohemian-style backyard

 

Rattan furniture imbues space with warmth and texture, bringing a touch of trendy bohemia with its whimsical swirls.

But while it’s weatherproof and easy to maintain, rattan can wear down and break over time.

The good news? It’s super-easy to repair, and you can fix natural and PE rattan using the same method!

This guide outlines two simple methods to repair rattan furniture with a few items you’ll have lying around the house.

Method 1 explains how to fix loose ends and wrappings, while method 2 offers pointers on repairing broken rattan strands, so skip to this method if your rattan needs some proper TLC!

How to repair rattan furniture

A damaged hanging rattan bench A damaged hanging rattan bench

 

This section details two methods to repair rattan furniture.

The first focuses on fixing rattan’s loose ends and wrappings; the second on broken strands.

Method 1: Loose ends and wrappings

Before we start, here’s what you’ll need for your DIY rattan repair kit:

 

Bristle brush

Flathead screwdriver

Super glue

Detergent

Water

Toothbrush

 

Now you’re ready, let’s fix your rattan furniture!

 

1. Brush off any dirt

Grab a bristled brush and brush off any dirt or residue, paying extra attention to the parts you’ll fix.

This will ensure your repairs are clean and seamless.

 

2. Wipe down with soap and water

Mix 60ml non-abrasive washing-up liquid with 3.8L water.

Dip an old cloth into the solution, wring it, and thoroughly wipe down the whole surface.

You might notice some pesky, hard-to-reach crevices due to rattan’s intricate shapes – but an old toothbrush will sort this!

 

3. Tighten loose rattan strands with a flathead screwdriver

Rattan can come loose and warp if not properly cared for, creating the appearance of holes in your furniture.

Don’t worry; it’s easy to fix with a flathead screwdriver.

Just slide your screwdriver under the end of a loose strand and lift it up – this tightens the strand and eliminates the illusion of holes.

 

4. Glue the loose strands

Squeeze a dot of super glue on the end of each strand before slotting it back into the weaving.

Patience is key here – make sure the glue is dry before hopping on your egg chair!

 

5. That’s a wrap

Rattan furniture is secured by tight wrappings around its edges – but it only takes one to come loose to disrupt the whole weave.

Luckily, it’s easy to remedy.

Like step 3, you need to re-tighten the rattan by pulling it taut.

This time, you’ll wrap it around the side of the furniture instead of tucking it back into the weave.

Finish by super gluing the wrappings in place, and you’re done!

Method 2: Broken strands

Repairing a broken rattan strand on a chairRepairing a broken rattan strand on a chair

 

These are the tools you’ll need to fix any broken strands on your rattan furniture:

 

Replacement rattan strand (available online and in hardware shops)

Scissors or pliers

Water

Bowl

Super glue

 

1. Cut and discard any damaged strands

Using scissors or pliers, snip each end of the broken strand. Cut it out, leaving half an inch of slack on either side.

Put the damaged strand to one side – you’ll need it in step 2.

 

2. Measure and cut a replacement strand

Place your replacement rattan on a flat surface next to the broken one.

Unwind and cut a new rattan strand, a bit longer than the damaged one to give you plenty of wiggle room for your repair. Don’t worry if it’s too long; you can trim it later.

 

3. Soak the new rattan strands in water

Submerge your replacement strands in a large bowl filled with lukewarm water.

After 30 minutes, when the strands are nice and pliable, take them out and dab away any excess water.

And we’re on to step 4.

 

4. Apply super glue along the bottom of the strand

Short step this one.

Simply apply waterproof super glue along the bottom of the strand to secure it.

 

5. Glue the replacement strand to the trimmed end

Press the glued end of the replacement strand on top of the trimmed end.

  Strong, quick-drying super glue is best, as it keeps the strands fixed in place. It’ll also dry and harden within five minutes – the same can’t be said for cheaper glue!

 

6. Weave the new strand into the furniture

Thread the strand over and under the perpendicular rattan segments, weaving until you’ve filled the broken section.

 

7. Trim away any excess material

Give the new strand a light tug to make it taut.

Once it’s in place, line up the excess strand, stretching the end to the middle of the next perpendicular rattan strand.

Trim away any excess material with scissors.

 

8. Tuck the strand beneath the existing rattan strand

Apply a dot of super glue to the other loose end of your replacement strand. Then slide it beneath the neighbouring strand.

You don’t need to hold it in place this time; it’ll stick on its own.

 

9. Wait at least half an hour for the glue to harden

Half an hour should be long enough for the glue to set but check the label to be sure.

Remember that even after the glue dries, it will still need time to seal and cure.

So, it’s best to leave it for 24 hours before parking yourself on your favourite rattan chair!

VonHaus top tops for repairing rattan furniture

  • If you spot any blemishes on the rattan’s surface, use a hairdryer to warm the area and rub it off with a cloth.
  • You can also fix broken rattan strands with epoxy resin, a strong adhesive. Simply knead and mould it to the damaged section, blending it with the material. Let it cure for two days and it’ll be good as new!

So, there you have it; two easy methods to repair rattan furniture.

And if this whetted your DIY appetite, head to our blog for more handy how-tos, interior inspiration, DIY buying guides, and more!

2022-07-20 12:58:00 0 viewed
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