Cane Chair Repair Instructions

Cut a piece of the cane weaving about three inches larger than the area it needs to cover. Place this in a bucket with water and let it soak for about three hours. Measure the amount of spline that will be needed. Add five inches to this measurement and cut a piece of spline to this length. About fifteen minutes before you are ready to replace the weave, add the spline to the bucket so it can soften, as well.

Thoroughly wet a clean rag with the white vinegar. Wipe the spline that holds the caning in place with white vinegar. This is the spline you will be replacing. Make sure it has a good coat of the vinegar. The vinegar is what dissolves the glue that holds the spline in place.

Use the chisel to remove the spline. Gently pry the spline up and work it out of the groove that it is in all the way around the woven mat. Take care not to damage the wood in the groove.

Using either the chisel or the small screwdriver, scrape out any remaining glue or debris. If anything is left behind, it will interfere with the new caning and spline that will be put into place.

Place the cane weave on the chair, so that it is centered over the opening. Choose a side to begin setting the weave. Use the chisel and the rubber mallet to tap it into the groove. Be careful not to damage the weave with the chisel. Keep the weave tight across the opening as you work.

Lay a bead of wood glue in the groove on top of the cane weave. Starting on one side, place the spline into the groove. Tap it into place with the mallet. Keep tapping spline into place until you reach your starting point. Let dry. Trim away excess after the material has dried, as it will shrink during the drying process.