A Quick Guide to Repairing Rattan Furniture
Rattan is a type of palm endemic to Asia, Africa, and Australia. It is considered as one of the sturdiest and most pliable furniture materials in the world. Its sheer ability to take in almost any bend makes it a perfect choice for craftsmen to carve it into various furniture pieces and other home decoration crafts. Its natural and ethnic appeal gives a classy touch to it. Rattan products offer high durability and can withstand many years of use.
However, rattan has a major flaw: when exposed to the sun, it easily loses its luster and natural color. Rain does not help either as it weakens the furniture and shortens its life span. So to keep your rattans in tiptop shape, it is best to place them indoors. While rattan furniture usually last long, regular wear and tear from years of usage will eventually give way to cracks, dents, and other defects. Listed below are simple do-it-yourself tips and tricks on repairing rattan furniture.
Before you begin repairing rattan furniture, make sure you have the following tools and materials handy: glue, cloth, medium grit sandpaper, putty knife, hammer, nails or screws, spray paint, spray primer, stain, paintbrush, and boiled linseed oil. Repairing rattan furniture involves procedures which could harm your health so don’t forget to strap on those protective gears like dust mask, safety glasses or goggles, and gloves. When you have everything prepared, you may now begin the repair work.
In repairing rattan furniture, just follow these few quick steps.
1. Foremost in repairing rattan furniture is examination of the joints that hold the furniture together. Survey the whole furniture closely and search for loose joints. When you find that the joints are connected using screws, check if the screws are fastened tightly. If you find loose screws, tighten them carefully but avoid over tightening just in case it needs refastening in the future. If nails have been used as connectors, it is wise to change each nail and replace them with new ones using a hammer. After making sure that the connectors are firm and in place, apply glue to narrow edges that hold the furniture together. This will ensure added strength and optimum support.
2. Consider the smoothness of its surface. Inspect for chips, dents, and other visible defects. Use a putty knife to scrape off overhanging chips, and rough patches. A vital stage in repairing rattan furniture is smoothing the surface by sanding. Use medium grit sandpaper on it. You know you did a good job sanding when you run your fingers on it without hitting any bumps or creases. A clean and smooth surface will enable the primer and paint to stick easier.
3. Ensure that the surface is free from dust and dirt. Use a clean cloth to wipe every corner and spot. After cleaning it well, proceed on applying the primer on the surface. Apply it evenly and allow it to dry. Then, apply a topcoat of waterproof paint or varnish. Let it dry. You are almost done in repairing rattan furniture.
4. The last step in repairing rattan furniture includes fixing stubborn dents and cracks on the surfaces of your rattan by applying boiled linseed oil on it. Let it soak for about half an hour. Wipe with a clean cloth immediately to avoid stains. The oil will not cover the damage; but it will cause the rattan to expand and decrease the visibility of the cracks.
These are just four easy steps to repairing rattan furniture. Now you can behold your good as new furniture—and without the extra cost.
