Steps To Repair Sling Patio Chairs
Patio chairs that have a fitted mesh sling seat are known as sling patio chairs. The chairs are designed to be durable as it can withstand several types of elements. Over time with usage, the mesh sling used in the chair stretches, tears, or wears out making the chair unusable or uncomfortable. The chair can be made comfortable again by replacing it mesh sling rather than replacing the entire patio chair. The steps to repair sling patio chairs are as follows;
- Determine Chair Width: First, the user needs to determine the chair width for new sling by using a measuring tape. It has been recommended to take a measurement at the center by holding the measuring tape on one end of the side rail to the other end through the center & across chair seat or back. The step will give the user a proper width measurement of the sling.
- Determine Chair Length: The next step will be to determine the chair length by holding a measuring tape at the highest top of chair rail and travel it towards the bottom rail to form a chair shape. It has been recommended to measure the length of side rail in order to determine the accurate length of the new sling.
- Purchase New Sling: After that, the user needs to purchase a new sling as per the determined length and width of the chair. The user can purchase new sling as per his budget or he can go with a premium quality sling for extra durability.
- Pry Off End Caps: The next step will be to pry off end caps from each side rail located at the top and bottom. The recommended tools to pry off end caps are flat-tipped screwdriver, putty knife, and utility knife. It is necessary to pry off caps carefully as they are made of plastic and similar replacement may be unavailable.
- Remove Old Sling: After that, the user needs to remove the old sling by slicing it vertically using a utility knife. Once sliced, the user needs to slide out the old sling from each frame side. The step may require little wiggling & prying in order to remove old sling from the chair frame.
- Loosen Frame Nuts: The next step will be to loosen the frame nuts located on each side by using an adjustable wrench. The step will help the user in easy removal of spread bars that were supporting the sling. It has been recommended to wiggle out the spread bars with hand.
- Prepare New Sling: Now, prepare the new sling for installation. First, the user needs to take out plastic splines accompanying new sling and place them through the pocket holes located on each side of the sling material. Sometimes, the splines are already installed and may come in longer size than the sling. The prepared new sling should be left aside for now and proceed with the next step.
- Remove Side Rail: After that, the user needs to remove any one of the two side rails housing the track of the sling. It has been recommended to remove all the nuts & bolts holding the side rail by using an adjustable wrench.
- Install Prepared Sling: The next step will be to install the prepared sling by sliding it inside through the removed rail. The user needs to slide the sling through the track of the chair frame. It has been recommended to push the plastic splined side edge through the track making sure the right side of the fabric is facing up. The step continues until the sling reaches the end of the track.
- Re-attach Side Rail: After that, the user needs to re-attach the side rail by holding it over the other side of the installed sling. The removed side rail should be aligned similar to the other side of the rail in order to ensure that the sling is installed properly. Besides that, the side rail holes should be in line with the frame holes before replacing its nuts & bolts followed by tightening the bottom set of nuts & bolts with an adjustable wrench.
- Tug The Sling Upward: The next step will be to Tug the sling fabric upwards in order to remove material wrinkles and make sure both the ends are aligned evenly. Once the sling is even & taut, the user needs to tighten the remaining nuts & bolts as well.
- Replace Spreader Bars: After that, the user needs to flip the sling chair upside down over a blanket or the lawn in order to prevent the frame from getting scratches. Once the chair is flipped, the user needs to wiggle the spreader bars back into place. It has been recommended to use a pipe clamp or spreader tool with which the user can press the chair frame outward in order to get necessary space to push the spreader bars back into place.
- Trim Excess Plastic Spline: The last step will be to trim any excess plastic spline material that sticks out of the sling. Wire cutters can be used to trim the excess spline before pressing the pryed off end caps back over the side rails.