How to Revitalize Wicker Chairs

Clean

• 1

  Remove dust, flaking paint, cobwebs and dirt. Vacuum the chair using the dust attachment. Vacuum all sides, the seat and the chair bottom.

• 2

  Brush away dirt with a toothbrush. Get into tight places with an ice pick or wire brush.

• 3

  Sand away flaking paint with light-grade sandpaper.

• 4

  Wipe the chair with a damp cloth. Do not soak the wicker. Allow to dry.

Mend

• 5

  Assess the damage. Take pictures of the chair to help you replicate the weave in the part you are mending.

• 6

  Hydrate the wicker. Apply tung oil or boiled linseed oil, and cover all the spots that are cracked. Allow the oil to soak into the wicker. Wipe away excess oil from the surface with a clean cloth. Let the chair dry for 24 hours.

• 7

  Repair the weave. Cover the area to be fixed with damp cloths. Keep them on until the wicker is flexible. Restore the pattern of the wicker by manipulating the reeds that have moved back to where they belong. Keep the wicker damp while you are working with it.

• 8

  Patch a hole. Place the replacement reed into water, and soak until it is bendable. Wet the broken reeds with damp cloths, and remove them from the chair. Cut the replacement reed 2 inches longer than the reeds to be replaced. Weave in the new reed, keeping to the wicker's pattern.

Paint

• 9

  Prepare the area where you are going to paint. Choose a well-ventilated spot. Cover the floor with plastic sheeting or drop cloths. Wear a ventilator mask and gloves.

• 10

  Prime the chair. Apply two coats of wood primer. Use either a brush or a spray can of paint. Turn the chair upside-down, and paint the bottom first. Allow to dry, turn the chair right-side up and prime the top, seat, arms and sides. Allow the chair to dry thoroughly between coats.

• 11

  Apply the paint. Begin on the chair bottom as you did when priming. Cover all the nooks and crannies.

• 12

  Cover the wicker evenly by applying several thin coats rather than one thick coat of paint. Wipe up drips immediately to avoid having them dry and leave globs on the chair's surface.

• 13

  Allow the paint to dry thoroughly before using the chair.