Refinishing Paper Cane Wicker

Paper Cane Background

• Paper cane wicker consists of flat, interwoven strips of paper, which are embedded with nylon. The nylon helps increase the strength of the material. Manufacturers typically finish paper cane wicker with paint, varnish or stain to give it the appearance of traditional, organic cane wicker. Unlike paper cane wicker, traditional cane wicker consists of interwoven strips of bark that workers remove from the rattan palm, which is a tropical climbing vine.

Cleaning

• Cleaning paper cane wicker is an essential preparatory step in the overall refinishing process and can go a long way in restoring the material to its original luster. In some instances, you may find that a thorough cleaning is the only refinishing that your paper cane wicker requires. To remove dust from the surface of the wicker, vacuum the material with a soft-bristled brush attachment. For dirt, pet fur and other debris that is wedged between the interwoven paper strips, you can use tweezers or an awl to pick it out or a toothbrush, paintbrush or vegetable brush to brush it out. If the paper cane wicker has mold on its surfaces, clean it off with a solution of bleach and water.

Stripping

• Before you apply a finishing coat to paper cane wicker, you will likely want to strip away any existing paint, varnish or stain. This will allow you to apply a fresh finishing coat more evenly. Use a standard liquid stripper for the job and give it time to liquefy the existing finish. When removing the old finish, only use a brush, as a scraping tool can damage the wicker. Don’t be surprised if the paper cane wicker loosens: it will tighten up once the stripping agent dries.

Coating

• If the existing coating on your paper cane wicker only suffers from minimal chipping or other imperfections, you can skip the stripping process, touch up the imperfections and then apply a clear coat. However, for a full-scale refinishing project -- stripping included -- you will need to wait for the stripping agent to dry before you can apply a finish coat. Spray paint is a common coating option when refinishing paper cane wicker, as the fine mist can penetrate into the wicker’s many tight spaces. For a clear finish, a lacquer will offer solid protection, both on the surface of paper cane wicker and on its interior. Avoid using polyurethane when refinishing paper cane wicker, as it is brittle once it dries, and tends to crack.