Repairs and Restoration of a Pair of Caned Chairs
A Pair of Caned Chairs.
Restoration of a caned chair.Over time, natural cane will become brittle resulting in split or broken canes. We have been asked to replace or patch such cane work. This is not a practical solution as the remaining cane will be put under additional stress and eventually gives way.
- Strip out completely the old cane ensuring the holes are completely clear of old plugging material.
- Clean and repair the woodwork and apply a coat of sealer.
- There are six stages in caning a chair, 4 settings and 2 crossings.
- The first line of cane, settings, is laid either from front to back or top to bottom depending on the type of chair. The use of “golf tees” ensures that the ends are held firmly.
- The second settings are laid at right angles on top of the first settings.
- Using the same holes back and front another setting is laid on the top of the previous two settings.
- The final setting is woven between the 1st & 3rd settings using the same holes as the second settings.
- The next stage is to square up the settings into equal size spacing. This will ensure that the finished pattern is symmetrical.
- Crossings are woven diagonally starting at a corner hole.
- The woodwork of the finished chair is given either a coat of French Polish or several coats of a good quality wax polish.
How much will this all cost you?The finished pattern, using this method, resembles the shape of a “honeycomb”. Other patterns are achieved using additional setting and crossing cane.
To ensure the caned chair retains its appearance and durabilty we recommend lightly spraying the cane with plain water, once a year, this will tighten any slack cane as it dries.
For a simple dining room chair count the number of holes and multiply this number by £1.00. This price includes a “wash and brush up” and all materials. Any structural repairs to your chair will be discussed, and quoted for, at our initial meeting with you.