Patio chairs are prone to becoming brittle due to prolonged exposure to the sun. However, you can easily remedy it by learning how to repair patio chair straps.
To repair patio chair straps, you just have to cut the old ones and replace them with new straps. You can learn more about how to do them below, along with learning how to clean and paint patio chair vinyl straps.
Steps On Repairing Patio Chair Straps
Patio chairs are a delight to people who love sitting outside of their homes, or those who have them by the pool. However, the fact that these chairs are situated outside means that they are more vulnerable to the damaging effects of the sun.
This means that you’ll have to replace them after some time. Replacing them is easy though, and here are the steps to do it:
Step #1. Prepare the materials
You would need your patio chair, your new vinyl straps, scissors, measuring tape, and fasteners. The fasteners will be used if you accidentally break your fasteners or render them non reusable.
Step #2. Cut the old straps
After preparing your materials, get your scissors and start cutting the damaged vinyl straps. There’s bound to be some of the straps left in the fasteners, so twist and pull them until the old vinyl straps are released. When the fasteners are difficult to remove, use pliers or a screwdriver to remove them.
Step #3. Measure and cut the new straps
Next, get your measuring tape and gauge the length you will use. You can do this by positioning it at the hole of the chair frame, and wrapping it around the same direction as the old vinyl straps.
Then, measure the opposite hole by wrapping the tape around the frame. After this, the exact length of your new strap should be 10% shorter than what you have measured with your tape. Reducing it is required because the new straps should be stretched upon installation.
After this, shift the measurement to your new vinyl straps, then cut it. Drill holes at about ½-inch from the end of each strap, then cut the corners to give the straps dog-ear ends.
Step #4. Prepare the vinyl for stretching
Since the vinyl straps were cut 10% shorter, you should prepare them for stretching. To do so, soak the vinyl straps in boiled water to soften it. This takes about five minutes.
Afterward, remove it from the bucket with tongs, then dry it with a towel. Immediately work on stretching and attaching the vinyl straps while they are still warm and pliable.
Step #5. Attach the new vinyl strap
After the cutting and the stretching, you can proceed on attaching the new vinyl strap by inserting fasteners on its ends. When using machine screws, make sure to drive the screw until it’s securely fit in the frame. A word of caution, you may need help in securing the vinyl because it requires force to stretch it to opposite sides of the frame.
How do you clean patio chair vinyl straps?
Step #1. Prepare the materials
You’d need a garden hose with spray nozzle, dish soap, bucket, and soft-bristled scrub brush to clean your patio chair vinyl straps.
Step #2. Start cleaning
Spray the patio chair thoroughly using a garden hose with a spray nozzle. Spraying it down removes dirt and makes the cleaning process easier.
Afterward, put ¼ cup of dish soap into a bucket and a gallon of water. Make sure the dish soap dissolves in the water.
Then, dip your soft-bristled brush into the soapy water and scrub your patio chair one strap at a time. Scrub the underside as well.
Lastly, spray your patio chair again to remove the soap suds and let your patio chair air-dry under the sun.
Can you paint vinyl straps?
Yes, however you need a specific kind of paint for flexible vinyl. You would need a specific paint for flexible vinyl because its flexibility would crack ordinary paint. Also, paint normally does not adhere well with vinyl.
If you wish to paint your vinyl, make sure it’s compatible first. Also, ensure that you apply it properly, otherwise sagging will occur.
Research whether your spray paint needs a base primer. If it does, coat your straps with acrylic latex primer.
Maintain appropriate distance — about eight inches — between the straps and the spray nozzle as you apply. After drying the straps, apply bonding primer, if your spray paint needs it. Otherwise, proceed to painting your patio chair straps, and then you’re done!
We’d like to warn you, however, that painting your patio chair straps is challenging and you would need to consider a multitude of factors.
Conclusion
Patio chairs straps usually last from five up to ten years, with weather contributing largely to its wear and tear. However, you don’t need to worry about changing the straps now that you know how to repair patio chair straps, and with just five steps to do it.
You also now know how to clean it and how to up the image of your patio chair by painting it. Hopefully, we’ve answered all your patio chair-related concerns with this article.