AI6YR BenJul 3, 2025

Another sling chair restoration complete. This is the sixth I have done, but still learning/relearning lessons.

Lessons:
1. Sew the sling slightly smaller than the original (did that this time!) The sling will stretch with use.
2. Reassemble on cardboard or a soft surface to avoid dinging paint (failed! Forgot.)
3. Use tougher paint or clearcoat. (Camo paint is not robust, forgot it comes off easily. Ah well, it was free paint)
4. Need a fuller/full can of spraypaint. Ran out of paint cans twice, cans were only a bit over half full each.
5. Put end caps on before assembling chair (forgot, had to unscrew, put end caps in, reassemble a second time)

#furniture #PatioFurniture #ReduceRepairReuseRecycle

Show threadAI6YR BenJul 3, 2025
Which reminds me, the old chair back there (Ikea chair from the 1990's) is going to get tossed in the trash. It's resin and it cannot take any human weight, it's so old. Just haven't bothered to haul it all the way to the curb, LOL.
Show threadAI6YR BenJul 3, 2025

The hardest part of these sling chairs is getting the stretchers back in. So far the only way I have managed to do it is to cram a 2x4 of the right width in there and whack it with a rubber mallet to stretch the material, the whack it out to remove tension. I suspect there is a more appropriate tool. This works, and the wood is soft so doesn't scratch anything.

(The concrete patio, on the other hand, does. I should have put some cardboard underneath to prevent scratched paint)

Show threadAI6YR Ben

Oooh, last tip, which I did not do for the last 5 chairs, but should have:

WINDEX (or similar) IS YOUR FRIEND

One of the hardest parts of these chairs is sliding the edges in and out. I wrestled with them using muscle power on the last chairs.

I finally wised up and sprayed a ton of window cleaner in the grooves getting it off and putting it back on, and it slid on and off like it was greased with butter!

(the windex evaporates or can be rinsed later).

#furniturerestoration #patio #patiochairs #ReduceRepairReuseRecycle

Jul 4, 2025 at 12:31amWeb
Show threadindi 🪡Jul 4, 2025
@ai6yr it's also a decent bug killer, if a shoe isn't handy.