Chairs can be costly to purchase new, but repairing old chairs is an economical way to save money. Here are some handy tips for successful chair repair:
When fixing a chair, begin by carefully disassembling it and noting any parts that are loose or won’t come apart easily.
Repair loose joints
Loose joints in wooden chairs are a common issue faced by antique furniture conservators. Not only are these susceptible to tension and racking, but they may also cause structural damage as well. Fortunately, several easy chair repair tips exist that will fix loose joints without ruining the furniture.
First, look to see if there are any wood corner blocks or metal braces underneath the chair that could be tightened to strengthen its frame. These brackets usually feature screws or bolts which help keep them securely fastened in place.
Second, identify any loose or wobbly glued joints. In this case, it might be worthwhile reattaching the joint with glue or adding a mechanical fastener such as a metal angle brace.
Alternatively, you might attempt to disassemble the loose joint completely. Be wary, however; this procedure could damage delicate decorative surfaces on furniture as well as other parts of the chair.
Disassembling a joint requires carefully prying it apart by hand, taking out any nails or screws holding it together. Next, remove any old adhesive in the joint and clean the area with a soft cloth or rag to get rid of dirt or foreign material specks.
Next, use a stiff piece of wire to scrape away as much old glue and any debris from the joint as possible. This will allow you to work new glue into the joint without damaging its surrounding areas.
You may need to repeat this step multiple times, depending on the size and amount of dirt and debris present. Once your joint is clean, use toothpicks or small pieces of bent wire to push glue into place and ensure that everything adheres securely.
Utilizing this method may take some practice and patience, as you must slowly assemble the pieces back together. Furthermore, make sure all joints are aligned correctly and tightly by applying light clamping pressure.
Repair split rungs
If you own a wooden chair, it’s likely that one or more of its rungs have broken over time due to age, humidity and wear-and-tear. But don’t despair – there are many ways to fix the broken rungs on your beloved chair!
To get started, you’ll need a syringe, some glue and an area that is well-ventilated. Polyurethane glue is recommended and can be found at most hardware stores. Additionally, you will require a screwdriver and hammer – both of which should be in your toolkit.
Repairing your favorite chair’s rungs requires using the correct glue. Look for one that can be combined with water, as this will help it adhere better. Alternatively, you could use polyurethane adhesive on dry wood but this may require more work than when the wood is damp.
Repair broken tenons
A damaged tenon can leave a gaping hole in the joint and call into question the integrity of your entire project. A properly milled tenon should be shaped for its location within the piece and have accurate dimensions.
Depending on the nature of the void, there are several methods for repairing a broken tenon. If it is in a mortise, you can splice in new wood that fits inside the old one and re-drill its holes so they align with that indentation.
If the tenon is in a socket, you can enlarge it for stronger joint. You could also reinforce cracked ends with glue and silk thread by applying thin coats of glue onto the cracked end, wrapping tightly with silk thread, then letting dry before inserting it into its socket.
Once you’re happy with the strength of your tenon, clean it thoroughly to remove any old hide glue or PVA glue that has adhered to it. A small paint scraper works best here as hot water will soften hide glue so it comes off easily.
Another option is to enlarge the tenon using a wedge made of soft wood. Be careful not to pound it too hard, as that could split the joint. From something soft like pine quarter-round, cut a wedge that fits the width and depth of the saw cut in the tenon.
You want the wedge to spread the saw cut slightly and widen it slightly. You can do this with a hammer and chisel.
The next step is to sand the wedged tenon smooth and straight. A good sanding will make the joint easier to set and clamp securely.
Another option is to coat the joint with a light coat of epoxy. This will enlarge and strengthen it, but it’s difficult to see when complete. Alternatively, you could apply shellac or lacquer over the repaired area to help blend it in with the rest of the chair.
Repair loose upholstery
Sagging upholstery can give your furniture an aged and worn-out appearance. Fortunately, it is a common problem that can be quickly fixed with the appropriate tools and materials. In some cases, replacing an old cushion may provide long-lasting coverage of 15 – 20 years.
Sagging seat cushions can be caused by either a lack of padding or the degradation of foam in the cushion. Sagging cushions may also be due to improper installation of low quality webbing that supports them; using higher quality webbing will extend the life of your furniture while saving you money on replacement costs.
Repairing sagging fabric on a chair takes patience, but is achievable with simple tools and supplies. Sagging cushion repairs can be made to many types of furniture such as dining room chairs, kitchen chairs and occasional chairs.
Turn the chair upside down and remove any staples or tacks holding the fabric sheet covering the bottom of the chair. Save this piece as a pattern for making a replacement bottom cover.
Cut a piece of black, breathable fabric for the underside of your chair using the old piece as a guide. Staple this to conceal any springs or webbing and serve as a dust cover. Repeat this process for all other pieces in the chair.
If your chair has a fully upholstered back, reupholster the bottom with new fabric as well. This can be tricky since most chair backs are constructed in several sections and stitched together at both top and bottom. If you find it difficult to complete this reupholstery yourself, consider hiring someone else to do it for you.
Depending on the damage to your upholstery, there are various methods for repair. The most popular solution is using a patch of heavy-duty fabric which should be suitable for holes or large tears in the fabric. Alternatively, glue can be applied to fix rips along the weave of fabric; however this cheap fix should only be used on delicate fabrics or areas which won’t be seen.