How to Install a Pre-Woven Cane Chair Seat

Use a screwdriver to take the chair seat apart from the frame. Remove all screws until the seat lifts off the rest of the chair. If the seat has existing rattan webbing in place, you will need to cut it off using a router. As you remove the existing webbing, be careful not to damage the frame of the seat with your router.

Soak a sheet of rattan webbing that is large enough to cover the hole in the seat of the chair. Soak the sheet for at least 20 minutes in a bath of water. Place the sheet over the seat with the shiny side facing toward you.

Insert the sheet into the groove by pressing it into place with a wooden wedge. Continue pressing the sheet into the groove until you have worked your way around the perimeter of the seat.

Trim off any excess webbing using a utility knife. The rattan webbing should not extend more than a few millimeters past the outer edge of the groove. Work slowly and carefully to avoid cutting yourself or the newly installed webbing.

Insert a thin line of PVA glue into the groove and let it dry for five minutes.

Insert the end of the caning spline into the groove and hammer it into place. Work your way around the perimeter of the seat, hammering in the spline. When you reach a corner, dampen the spline with a wet cloth or sponge to make it more flexible so it doesn’t break. After the spline has been inserted all the way around the chair and you get back to the starting point, cut the end. Hammer the spline into the groove.

Wipe off any excess glue. Let the seat sit and dry naturally for at least 24 hours. When it is fully dry, reassemble the seat to the chair frame.