How to Fix a Table With Cane Webbing

Flip the table upside down and soak an old towel in cold water. Place the towel on top of the cane webbing and let sit overnight or for a few hours, depending on how much time you have.

Remove the towel and touch the webbing. The cane should feel wet to the touch. Turn the table upside down again, so that it sits properly. Let the cane slowly dry by sitting it outside in the sunlight or leaving it in a cool place. As the cane dries, the natural stretchiness returns.

Restore damaged or broken cane webbing by cutting the damaged area from the table with a utility knife. Remove the spline by pushing a chisel underneath and pulling up with some force. The spline is the small piece of wicker or cane wrapped around the top of the table that hides where the cane meets the wood.

Turn the spline over and paint a thin layer of adhesive remover on the back with a paintbrush. Leave the adhesive remover on for a few minutes, until the glue softens. Apply adhesive remover to the table. Wipe off the table and spline with a damp cloth, removing any glue residue.

Fill a large bowl with warm water and place the spline and replacement webbing in the liquid. Push down until the water completely covers the pieces and let sit for 20 minutes or more. Apply a thin layer of wood glue to the outer edge of the table.

Remove the cane webbing from the water and line up with the tabletop. Press one edge of the cane against the glue and secure with clamps. Carefully stretch the cane across the table until it reaches the opposite side and sits flat. Attach more clamps to the top. Stretch the cane to the top and back of the table, using more clamps to secure the piece.

Dab wood glue along the edge of the cane, where it meets the wood, once the cane dries and you remove the clamps. Press the spline into the glue and hold until the glue begins setting. Once the glue dries, carefully trim away any excess webbing.