How To Repair Wicker Patio Furniture (Ultimate Guide)

Wicker patio furniture is a popular choice for many homeowners. This furniture is stylish and relatively affordable, giving a rustic appeal outdoors to boot! However, the furniture can be delicate and prone to wear over time. You may need to repair them to restore their elegant look.

To repair wicker patio furniture, you should first clean the furniture with a mild cleaning solution. Then gather your tools and repair breaks, fix any loose rattan strands, replace any missing wicker and refinish your wicker. Look out for any signs of rot and sand, or remove the affected areas.

In this guide, I’ll show you how to repair wicker patio furniture to look as good as new. I’ll first discuss why you need to clean the wicker. Then, I’ll highlight the tools you’ll need for the repair. I’ll then offer a step-by-step guide for repairing your wicker patio furniture.

Table of Contents

1. First Things First: Clean the Wicker Furniture

One of the most critical initial steps in repairing wicker patio furniture is to clean it thoroughly.

Over time, dirt and grime can build up on the furniture’s surface, making it look dull and old.

Cleaning the furniture will remove any dirt, dust, or debris that could interfere with the repair process.

You will need a soft brush, mild soap, and warm water to clean wicker patio furniture. You’ll then proceed to:

Use The brush to remove loose dirt or debris from the furniture’s surface.
Then mix the soap and water to create a gentle cleaning solution.

Next, dip a towel into the solution and use it to wipe down the furniture.
Finally, after completing the first round of cleaning—rinse the furniture with clean water.

Doing this should remove any soap residue. Alternatively, you can use a vacuum with a soft brush to clean the furniture. Once you finish cleaning, organize the tools you’ll need for the repair.

2. Gather the Tools To Repair Your Wicker Patio Furniture

To repair your wicker patio furniture, you will need a few tools. You may need the following:

Glue. You may need the glue to attach loose wicker back together.
A pair of scissors. It may help you to cut out the broken wicker.

A paintbrush. You require a brush to touch up any scratches or damage on the furniture.
Rattan peel. You may need a rattan peel if you’re looking to replace any broken or old peels on the wicker object.
Outdoor paint and primer. A requirement if you need to repaint.

Painter’s tape. It helps when painting, so you don’t make a mess. I recommend the Reli Painter’s Tape from Amazon.com. This tape is multipurpose so that you can use it on various surfaces.
Sanding sponges. It helps to sand down rough patches on the wicker before repainting.
Replacement resin strips. These are a must if you want to replace worn wicker.

Needle-nose pliers. It’s best to use these pliers to cut or hold the wicker when repairing.
A screwdriver. You may use it to remove any screws holding the piece in place.

After organizing the tools, proceed to do the actual repair.

3. Repair Your Wicker Patio Furniture

Repair of wicker patio furniture may vary depending on the situation of your furniture. A wicker patio furniture may need repair if it’s:

Broken
Loose

Dull or faded
Has missing peels
Damaged by rainfall

Your patio furniture could have one or a combination of the abovementioned problems. All these issues are valid, and you should address them with the same effort and attitude.

Since the problems vary, I’ll provide a step-by-step guide to addressing each.

How To Repair Broken Wicker Patio Furniture

A broken wicker patio furniture looks like a sad, sorry mess. The once-sturdy frame may be bent and twisted, or the rattan could be frayed and poking out in all directions. Likewise, the cushions may be stained and sagging. Such is a far cry from the beautiful set that once graced your patio.

Let’s look at rattan that’s poking in all directions. What do you do in such a situation?

If any of the wicker on your patio furniture is broken or frayed, you’ll have no choice but repair the same. After all, this is a less costly decision to make.

To repair, you will need a pair of scissors and rattan peel.

Use the scissor to cut the broken peel(s) carefully.
Take off the broken rattan peel pieces from the furniture. Be sure to follow the line.
Use a utility knife to trim away any frayed edges.

Use strong adhesive glue to attach a new piece of peel at one end of the line. Make sure that the glue suits use with wicker. Some adhesives can damage the material. Once you glue the pieces together, allow them to dry completely.
Insert the replacement rattan peel along the line (where you’ve removed the old peel). You can use a scissor or screw to weave the peel from one end to the other.
Once you’ve reached the other end, hold down the peel on the end of the furniture using hot glue.

Cut the remaining part of the rattan.
Finally, use a paintbrush to apply a fresh coat of paint or varnish to the repaired area.

Make sure to get into all of the nooks and crannies. Allow the paint to dry completely before using the furniture.

Here is a video that demonstrates the entire repair process. Be sure to check it out.

With a little effort, you can quickly repair your broken wicker patio furniture and make it look new!

How To Fix Loose Rattan Strands on Your Wicker Patio Furniture

If your wicker patio furniture is starting to show its age, you might notice loose rattan peel.

If you have a loose rattan peel on wicker patio furniture, you know that it’s not a pretty sight. The rattan peel is usually dry and cracked and can sometimes be very sharp. You can easily cut yourself on the loose strands if you are not careful.

Loose rattan peel is a common issue with wicker furniture, and it’s relatively easy to fix. You will need a strong adhesive, a screwdriver, and some screws to fix the peel.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to repairing the loose rattan peel.

Start trimming off or removing the loose rattan from the furniture. Be careful not to damage the underlying wicker.
Sand down the area around the loose strands—this will help create a smooth surface for the repair.
Use a brush or sponge to apply a thin layer of glue to the affected area to hold loose strands.

Take a new piece of rattan and press it into the glue. Ensure you attach the rattan securely. Use a clamp to hold it in place if necessary.
Allow the glue to dry completely before using the furniture again. You can wait for an hour or so.
You can apply a thin coat of paint if you want the new rattan to blend.

However, you can only follow the above steps if the frames or ends of your furniture aren’t screwed together.

If screws are attached to your wicker furniture, you’ll need to:

First, locate the screws that are holding the wicker in place.

Next, use the screwdriver to loosen the slightly loose screws.
Then use your fingers to pull the wicker to tighten it.
Finally, retighten the screws.

That’s it. You’ll have repaired the loose wicker.

How To Replace Missing Wicker on Your Patio Furniture

If you have wicker patio furniture, you know that the rattan peel is essential to its look. The wicker will look unfinished and less attractive with a missing piece of rattan peel.

You’ll need to replace the missing peel on your patio furniture as soon as possible. This process will help to maintain the furniture’s appearance and functionality.

To do this, get a piece of replacement wicker and a hot glue gun or adhesive glue.

Here’s what you need to do to replace the piece(s):

Tools for Replacing Wicker

A hot glue gun

Glue sticks or adhesive glue
Utility knife

Now that you have your supplies, you’re ready to replace the wicker.

You’ll need to purchase some new wicker, which you can find at most craft stores—there are also some affordable ones online.
Proceed to locate the specific part(s) of your furniture that need wicker replacement..
Cut the new wicker to size using the utility knife. Be sure to leave a little extra so you can tuck it under the existing wicker.

It’s time to secure the replacement wicker in place. Using the hot glue gun, glue along the edge of the furniture where you will ace the new wicker.
Carefully place the new wicker and press until the glue has hardened or cooled down. This process will ensure that the wicker has firmly attached to the furniture.
Tuck any excess wicker under the existing wicker and remove any excess glue.

And that’s it! You’ve successfully replaced the missing wicker on your patio furniture.

4. Repair Any Rot on Your Wicker Patio Furniture

Ideally, the majority of patio furniture is water-resistant. However, this doesn’t mean that wicker is entirely waterproof.

Outdoor furniture can get wet but may not be damaged instantly. Instead, the damage may accumulate with time. This damage is more likely if you rarely cover or maintain the furniture.

Sometimes, rain can cause your wicker furniture to rot. The risks are even higher if you live in rainy areas. This issue can be a big problem, as wicker furniture is not cheap to replace. Luckily, a repair won’t cost you as much.

So, what should you do in the case of repairing a rot? It’s simple:

You must sand down the furniture to remove the rot. However, if the decay is beyond sanding, remove the wicker and clean the areas around it.

Use a wood filler to fill in any holes or cracks on the frames.
Once the filler is dry, you will need to apply a fresh coat of paint or stain to the affected areas. The paint should protect the furniture from further damage. You might as well paint the entire furniture if you want a fresh look.
This step is necessary if you’ve removed the wicker. You’ll need to fix the replacement wicker in place. Then apply the paint.

If you follow these steps, you should be able to repair the rot on your wicker furniture and keep it looking suitable for outdoor utility.

5. Refinish Your Wicker Patio Furniture

If your wicker patio furniture looks dull or faded, it may be time to refinish it.

To do this, you will need sandpaper, a paintbrush, and some paint or stain.

Use sandpaper to rough up the furniture’s surface, which will help the paint or stain stick better.
Clean the furniture. Once you’ve sanded down the wicker, use a brush or a damp cloth to remove any dirt, dust, or debris. Ensure you wipe all surfaces.
Use the paintbrush to apply a thin layer of paint or stain to the furniture. Be sure to let the paint or stain dry completely.

Wipe off any unwanted or excess paint or stain to give your furniture a clear finish.
Apply a good quality sealer or top coat. This method is sure to protect the finish and make it last longer.

That’s it. You should be good to go.

Conclusion

Although wicker patio furniture is durable, it can still wear off over time. So, you’ll have to repair it if you plan to use it for longer.

Furniture repair can be a rewarding experience. Yet, how you go about it will highly depend on the type of problem you’re fixing. For example, if your wicker patio furniture is broken, frail, or rotten, the correct repair may do.

Follow the steps mentioned in this article to resolve the issue. With these guides, you can repair your wicker patio furniture in no time.

Sources

Lovelyetc: The Best and Worst Sealers for Painted Furniture