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Everyone loves outdoor wicker furniture. Its got a timeless charm that nothing can match and its style brings you back to when you were a kid. Sadly natural wicker doesn’t stay looking great unless it’s looked after well.
Image from Pixabay
Luckily, you can ensure that your
natural wicker furniture looks fantastic for many years to come by following these 5 maintenance steps once each year.
Step 1: Weaves and Braids
Outdoor wicker furniture gets most of its beauty from the intricate weaves and braids that hold it together. However sadly these gorgeous features start coming undone over time. So before you do any other work on your wicker, take some time to carefully go over the entire piece to ensure all the weaves and braids are in good condition.
If you do find one that is loose or has come undone spend some time carefully re-weaving it. Once it's back in place, get some superglue to glue it back in place so it doesn't come undone again.
Step 2: Fix Loose Ends
Over time the harsh elements will play havoc with the ends of your wicker. There are 2 types of issues that commonly arise:
a. The wicker ‘unravels’ - This is common with the thinner parts of your wicker. When you find your wicker unraveling I recommend that you get out the superglue again. Tidy up the end, re-twist it, and then place a drop of superglue to hold it in place. Once its dry, then glue the strand back in place so it doesn’t come out again.
b. The wicker detaches - This happens a lot with the thicker pieces of wicker that make up the frame or arm rests of the furniture. When these come loose it’s essential that you glue them back in place to protect the structural strength of your furniture.
Image from Pixabay
Step 3: Clean it Down
Just like painting a wall, it’s essential that you clean down your furniture before you start treating it. Use a mild detergent and warm water to clean all dirt and grime from the furniture and then rinse well. Also make sure to check the frame underneath and remove any pesky cobwebs that have popped up.
Step 4: Apply New Finish
Image from Pixabay
Traditionally wicker doesn’t last too long outdoors which is why synthetic wicker was created. However with the addition of polyurethane based treatments, your
wicker table can become extremely durable and long lasting.
The purpose of the sealant first is to protect your wicker at its core and to prevent any water from reaching the fibers, keeping them in great condition for years to come.
Apply the sealant using a compressor based or electric spray gun. Use even strokes making sure to keep the nozzle 6-8 inches from the furniture. Apply 3 light coats in total, giving it time to dry entirely between coats.
Step 5: Paint It!
Now its time to bring your furniture back to life with a fresh coat of paint. Stick with an outdoor paint that is designed to handle the elements. They may cost a bit more than interior paint, however they’ll last twice as long, making them well worth the investment.
Once again apply it using a spray gun (Clean it out with thinners between the 2 products). This will allow you to coat all of the difficult to reach areas that you can't get with a brush.
For a stunning finish I recommend that you give the furniture 3-5 light coats.
Final Note:
Luckily today we have synthetic wicker that eliminates the need for this type of maintenance. With that said, there is nothing more relaxing than kicking back in a natural wicker chair on the porch on a warm summers afternoon with a jug of homemade lemonade!
Categories
#DIY
#Outdoor Furniture
#Wicker Tips
#Wicker
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229930 - 2023-07-17 11:48:21