Reviving Outdoor Furniture

But that doesn’t mean you have to toss the old set and buy new. For a fraction of the cost of replacement, you can tackle basic repairs yourself. “This is something homeowners can definitely do,” says Steven Gentino, owner of The Chair Care Co., an outdoor-furniture refinisher in New Haven, Connecticut. “It takes a little muscle and a couple of hours tops.” Gentino’s company is one of many nationwide that can supply the necessary materials, fasteners, and even the touch-up paint; look for “outdoor furniture care” on the Web, or contact the chair manufacturer for a list of authorized repair services. “All you need to do is a little measuring,” Gentino says. “We’ll cut everything to order.” Here’s how Gentino revived two types of painted aluminum chairs: one with a vinyl-strap back and seat and the other with a one-piece mesh sling.

Touching Up Outdoor Furniture Frames

The time to touch up nicks and scratches on the frame is after the old straps or slings have been removed and before the new ones go on. The method to use depends on the type of metal to be painted. For aluminum, rough up the surface slightly with 100-grit sandpaper, then smooth with 220-grit paper. There’s no need to prime — just apply an exterior-grade acrylic enamel paint. Use a tiny touch-up brush on nicks, a spray can on bigger scratches. For wrought iron on tubular steel, use a wire brush and sandpaper to sand any rust spots or chipped paint down to bare metal. Next, brush or spray on a metal primer, then apply an exterior enamel topcoat. (A coat of rust converter such as Rust Reformer stabilizes rust without sanding, but a rough, crusty look will remain.) When a painted frame is covered with scratches or caked with rust, it’s probably time for a professional overhaul. Factory-authorized refinishers like The Chair Care Co. will sandblast and repaint furniture with a tough, powder-coated finish that will last 15 years or more. “The pieces come out looking brand-new,” says owner Steven Gentino. The full-body treatment — blasting, repainting, welding, repairing straps, slings, or cushions, and replacing fasteners — runs about $120 for a typical chair. That’s still only one-third to half the cost of buying new.

How to Replace the Mesh Sling on Patio Chairs

Before you being you’ll need to do some measurements. Find the width by measuring from the center of one rail to the center of the opposite rail at the bolt locations (typically found at the top and bottom of the sling). To find the length, lay a cloth tape measure along the top face of one rail so it follows the rail’s curvature.

Steps for replacing mesh sling

How to Replace Vinyl Straps on Patio Chairs

Before you begin

Measure the frame: For a single-wrap strap (one with exposed plastic pegs or metal clips), measure across the frame from hole to hole with a cloth tape measure wrapping around the outside of the frame. A double-wrap strap (shown below) covers the fasteners. Start at one hole, loop the tape measures fully around the frame, then pull to the opposite hole and repeat. Order parts: Buy enough straps and pegs to redo the entire piece. (Metal clips can be reused.) The supplier will cut each strap to length and punch a hole for pegs or attach edge clips on both ends. Slice through all the old straps with a utility knife and pop the pegs or clips out of the frame with a screwdriver. Touch up or repaint the frame.

Steps for replacing vinyl straps

How to Care for Outdoor Furniture

The plastic components of outdoor furniture (shown above) — vinyl straps, plastic pegs, and mesh slings — last about 10 years. In the meantime, the easiest way to keep outdoor furniture looking good is to give it a quick scrubdown with mild dish soap, followed by a water rinse. In addition, each material has its own particular needs.

Properly clean straps and Slings

Both straps and slings are made of vinyl, which suntan oil stains, sunlight fades, and dirt and mildew stick to like magnets. A spritz with a vinyl cleaner such as FeronClean or a mild all-purpose cleaner like Fantastik or Formula 409 and a swipe with a cloth is the best way to remove grime. Never use abrasives, bleach, or ammonia, all of which strip vinyl of its UV protection. Exposure to pesticides and fertilizers does the same thing. Encourage sunbathers to cover chairs with a towel.

Take special care of metal

Touch up the paint as soon as it’s nicked. Do not apply car wax, which will leave a cloudy buildup.

Find appropriate storage

The best place for furniture in the winter is a dry spot indoors. If it must remain outdoors, wrap each piece in a breathable vinyl cover (available at outdoor-furniture distributors) that doesn’t touch the ground. That way, moisture can escape, preventing mildew and rust.

Where to Find It

Outdoor-furniture refinishers:Steven Gentino and Sharon HughesChair Care New Haven, CT800-809-4494 Vinyl cleaner:FeronCleanGordon Feron & Co. Inc.Quail Valley, CA800-424-3411 Furniture parts suppliers:D & J Patio FurnitureTucson, AZ 520-571-1232 Chair Care Dallas, TX214-638-6416 AlumatechBradenton, FL800-825-8826