How to Restore Chair Caning

Woven caning provides comfort and gives a chair a decorative touch. However, time and use can take a toll on chairs, causing the caning to stretch, separate at the seams, stain, fray or split. Instead of tossing out your cane chair and purchasing a new one, consider restoring the appearance of its wicker inserts. Replace caning with identical caning, or update the look of the chair with a new style of cane. With a few simple tools, you can easily restore your chair’s caning so it continues to provide comfort and pleasure.

Measuring tape
Chair caning and spline
Scissors or utility knife
Tub
Flat-head screwdriver
Rag
Wood glue

Instructions

- 1
  Locate the part of the chair where the caning is damaged. Flip the wicker chair upside down and find the groove in the frame where the spline is embedded. The spline holds the caning in place.
- 2
  Measure the entire area where the chair is damaged. Record the width and length.
- 3
  Transfer the measurements to a new piece of chair caning. Include 2 inches all around the replacement piece before cutting it with a scissors. Immerse the replacement piece in a tub of warm water. Let it soak for an hour until it becomes pliable for installation.
- 4
  Insert the tip of a utility knife into the groove that holds the spline and break the seal. Insert the tip of a flat-head screwdriver under the spline to pry it up. Slide the screwdriver along the spline to loosen it and pull it up by hand.
- 5
  Pull out the old caning from the chair. Gently scrape off any glue on the chair with the edge of a utility knife. Rub it down with a wet rag.
- 6
  Remove the replacement caning from the tub of water and dry it with a rag. Center this piece on the chair with its shiny side up, and set the spline over it.
- 7
  Spread wood glue into the chair’s groove and push the spline into it using a screwdriver. Work your way around the chair to insert the cane into the groove a little at a time to ensure you don’t miss a spot. Check your work often to ensure the cane is straight. Cut off excess spline or stray pieces of cane with scissors or a utility knife.
- 8
  Wipe away any glue that seeps out with a rag. Turn the chair around and let the glue dry for the time specified on the label’s directions.

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