Vinyl Chair Reupholstery

Removing the Vinyl

• Before covering the chair with new fabric or vinyl, you must remove the old vinyl. If you cover the vinyl with new material, you risk the new pieces not fitting properly because the vinyl slips and slides on the chair. You also risk feeling the vinyl through the new fabric and the chair fitting less comfortably than it otherwise would. Remove any staples holding the vinyl to the chair and peel the vinyl off. Depending on the age of the material, you may need a glue solvent that loosens any adhesive holding the vinyl in place.

Covering Basic Chairs

• For wood or metal chairs with a cushion on the seat, you need a piece of vinyl the same shape as the seat, but slightly larger. Lay the material flat on the top of the piece and turn it over, so that the top of the seat faces the ground. Fold one side of the material over and staple in place. Keep one hand on the seat as you pull on the opposite side, making the material fit tightly on the chair. Staple again and repeat with the other two sides.

Dinette Chairs

• For vintage or retro kitchen and dinette chairs, unscrew the metal bands holding the vinyl in place on the chair. Remove the old vinyl and cut the new vinyl into pieces large enough for the back and seat. Press the vinyl against the back of the chair and have a second person aim a hairdryer at the chair. Apply staples to the back and, as the vinyl heats, pull down and stretch it to fit the chair. Repeat the process with the seat and reattach the metal pieces.

Considerations

• If you like the look of the chair, but not the damaged spots, then buy a vinyl repair kit. Fill the burns, holes and other damaged spots with the vinyl adhesive and patches that match the color of your chair. The repairs are cheaper than reupholstering the entire chair for just a few problem spots.