How To Repair Outdoor Furniture

Left outdoors in rain and shine, metal deck and patio furniture takes a chirapsia. Frames accrue unsightly nicks, scratches, and rust; vinyl straps discolor and loosen; mesh slings rip; fasteners popular out.

But that doesn't mean yous have to toss the one-time aluminum patio chairs and buy new. For a fraction of the cost of replacement, you can tackle bones repairs yourself. "This is something homeowners can definitely do," says Steven Gentino, owner of The Chair Care Co., an outdoor-furniture refinisher in New Haven, Connecticut. "It takes a little muscle and a couple of hours, tops." Gentino'due south visitor is one of many nationwide that can supply the necessary materials, fasteners, and even the touch-upward paint. You can as well attempt contacting your chair'southward manufacturer for a list of authorized repair services.

Hither, one time you accept your parts, learn how to revive 2 types of painted aluminum chairs; i with a vinyl-strap back and seat, the other with a one-piece mesh sling.

Step i

Lodge new sling (for mesh sling replacement)

Earlier y'all get started on your patio sling chair repair, you have to measure your chairs and order replacement sling. To find width, measure out from the center of one rail to the center of the opposite track at the bolt locations typically plant at the tiptop and bottom of the sling. To find length, lay a fabric tape mensurate forth the top confront of 1 rail so it follows the runway's curvature.

Step ii

Cut the old sling

Slash the quondam sling down the middle with a utility knife. (A damaged sling cannot be saved.) Remove the finish cap on each side rail.

Step 3

Remove the old sling

Slide the two halves of the sling out of their tracks in the chair's rails. Loosen but don't remove the bolts that attach the rails to the chair frame, and then pop out the spreader bar.

This is the best fourth dimension to retouch or repaint your frame. Go to Frame Touch-Up Techniques for how-to and tips.

Step 4

Slide the new sling on

Remove one rail entirely. Concur the sling with its hem side to the back and slide its nylon rod into the track of the rail that's even so attached to the chair frame.

Footstep 5

Secure the new sling

Slide the detached rail over the sling's other nylon rod. Bolt this rail back on the frame. Tighten the loose bolts on the opposite rail to make the sling taut.

Step 6

Reattach the spreader bar

Reinsert the spreader bar. Use a pipe clamp to spread the rails slightly; if demand be, bend the bar a flake to brand it fit, then hitting information technology with a rubber mallet to restore its shape.

Pace seven

Trim the rods

With a wire cutter, trim each rod affluent with the cease of the rail. Push button the end caps back on the runway.

You're washed reviving your sling chair. Now, see Care and Maintenance tips. Or, click next to see how to replace vinyl straps.

Footstep 8

Gild new straps (for vinyl replacement)

For a single-wrap strap (ane with exposed plastic pegs or metal clips), measure across the frame from hole to hole with a cloth tape measure wrapping around the outside of the frame. A double-wrap strap (shown) covers the fasteners. Get-go at one pigsty, loop the record measures fully around the frame, and then pull to the opposite hole and repeat.

Purchase enough straps and pegs to redo the entire slice. (Metal clips can be reused.) The supplier will cut each strap to length and punch a hole for pegs or adhere edge clips on both ends.

This is the best time to retouch or repaint your frame. Go to Frame Affect-Up Techniques for how-to and tips.

Step nine

Adhere the strap

Brand the straps flexible past soaking them in hot (non boiling) h2o; never use a hair dryer or heat gun. Attach the strap end by pushing a peg through its pigsty and into the pigsty on the back of the frame.

Step 10

Wrap the strap effectually the frame

With the peg seated firmly, wrap the strap all the way effectually the frame, roofing the peg. (For a single wrap, simply get halfway around the frame and pull to the opposite side.)

Pace 11

Stretch the strap to the other side

Catch the strap well-nigh its eye and stretch it to the opposite side of the frame. Hold it tight against this side with i hand; use the other to loosely wrap the strap'due south free finish around the frame 1½ times.

Step 12

Secure the strap

Keep tension on the strap as you push button a peg through the free finish and into its pigsty. Slide the loop upwardly over the peg with your pollex, then let go of the strap. It will tighten as information technology cools. Repeat this process for all straps.

You're done reviving your vinyl strap chair. Now, see Care and Maintenance tips.

Step 13

Frame Touch-Up

The time to touch up nicks and scratches on the frame is afterward the old straps or slings have been removed and earlier the new ones go on. The method to use depends on the type of metal to be painted. For aluminum, rough upwards the surface slightly with 100-grit sandpaper, and then smooth with 220-grit paper. There's no need to prime—just apply an exterior-grade acrylic enamel paint. Utilize a tiny touch-up brush on nicks, a spray can on bigger scratches.

For wrought iron on tubular steel, use a wire brush and sandpaper to sand any rust spots or chipped pigment downward to bare metallic. Adjacent, brush or spray on a metal primer, then apply an outside enamel topcoat. (A glaze of rust converter such as Rust Reformer stabilizes rust without sanding, only a rough, crusty look will remain.)

When a painted frame is covered with scratches or caked with rust, information technology's probably time for a professional overhaul. Factory-authorized refinisheers like The Chair Care Co. will sandblast and repaint furniture with a tough, pulverization-coated finish that will final 15 years or more. "The pieces come out looking brand-new," says owner Steven Gentino. The full-body treatment—blasting, repainting, welding, repairing straps, slings, or cushions, and replacing fasteners—runs about $120 for a typical chair. That'southward still but one 3rd to one-half the cost of buying new.

In one case paint is dry out:

• Continue fabric sling replacement

• Proceed vinyl strap replacement

Step 14

Care and Maintenance

The plastic components of outdoor furniture (shown)—vinyl straps, plastic pegs, and mesh slings—terminal about 10 years. In the meantime, the easiest way to go on outdoor furniture looking good is to give it a quick scrubdown with mild dish soap, followed by a h2o rinse. In add-on, each material has its own particular needs.

Straps and Slings__Both are made of vinyl, which suntan oil stains, sunlight fades, and clay and mildew stick to like magnets. A spritz with a vinyl cleaner such as FeronClean or a mild all- purpose cleaner like Fantastik or Formula 409 and a swipe with a cloth is the best way to remove grime. Never apply abrasives, bleach, or ammonia, all of which strip vinyl of its UV protection. Exposure to pesticides and fertilizers does the same thing. Encourage sunbathers to cover chairs with a towel.

Metal__Touch upward the paint as before long as it'due south nicked. Practice non utilise car wax, which will exit a cloudy buildup.

Storage__The best place for article of furniture in the wintertime is a dry out spot indoors. If it must remain outdoors, wrap each slice in a breathable vinyl cover (available at outdoor-furniture distributors) that doesn't touch the ground. That way, moisture tin escape, preventing mildew and rust.

Source: https://www.thisoldhouse.com/patios/21016671/how-to-repair-aluminum-patio-chairs