Polyrattan is one of the most popular outdoor materials due to its weather resistance. Garden chairs and lounge furniture made from rattan are particularly popular. Over time, the material may become brittle due to weather influences. In order to be able to use them for a long time, we will explain to you how to repair them.
Replace polyrattan
Brittle polyrattan can be replaced with little effort. Since they are plastics, which are easy to get in place of real rattan, you can effectively repair brittle areas. If the brittle areas are quite small, simply cut them out. You can now either weave in new rushes or adapt the existing braid. You can even replace the barrel entirely if there are severe signs of wear. With both methods it is important that the polyrattan has the same color. The polyrattan rushes are available in online specialist shops, which means the selection is very large. In addition to the color, there are other selection criteria so that the break is not noticeable afterwards:
- Bulrush width
- Procurement
- Thickness
Note:
Furniture or decorative items framed with polyrattan can be refreshed using already woven fabric by the meter. To do this, loosen the old polyrattan, put the new one on and fix it.
Gluing brittle polyrattan
If the poly rat elements do not need to be replaced or are broken in one place, use plastic glue. It is important to use the right adhesive so that the glued area does not come apart again within a short period of time. To prevent this problem, you need a PE (polyethylene) adhesive. These ensure the necessary durability so that you can use the polyrattan for a long time. In addition to the glue, you also need to have the following utensils on hand:
- soft sponge
- dishwashing liquid
The application is simple and can be implemented with little effort. It doesn't matter whether the piece of furniture is outside or inside the living room. You should just make sure that it doesn't rain after the repair so that the effect of the glue does not decrease.
The polyrattan is glued as follows:
- Clean the break point
- Use dishwashing liquid and water
- remove grease and dirt
- dry thoroughly
- Apply glue to the break point
- Fix polyrattan
- let dry
Note:
If the glue gets on your hands, use warm water and a little soap to loosen it. A soft brush can also help.
Brittle polyrattan: causes
Polyrats can theoretically be used for years without the need for maintenance. The synthetic fibers are weather-resistant, robust and even resistant to long-term UV radiation. However, due to certain care and application errors, increased wear and tear can occur, especially if the polyratten is of lower quality and therefore more vulnerable:
- Maximum load exceeded
- Use in sub-zero temperatures
- sharp cleaners
- rough cleaning utensils
When using polyrattan furniture, make sure that you do not exceed the maximum weight specified by the manufacturer. The fibers cannot withstand higher loads and break. This also applies to temperatures below zero. The polyratten hardens due to the cold and wear occurs as soon as it is put under strain. Soft sponges and detergent are sufficient for cleaning. Do not use scouring milk or pot sponges as these roughen the surface and increase wear.
Note:
Never clean poly rats with a high-pressure cleaner. The water pressure is too strong and permanently damages the material.
Frequently asked questions
What should be taken into account when repairing polyrattan furniture?
Ideally, you should wear thin work gloves to avoid cuts through the plastic. The material has sharp breaking edges and, depending on the position, unpleasant injuries can quickly occur. For this reason, you should be careful not to touch brittle polyrattan unprepared.
How can opened polyrattan coverings on the feet be closed?
In order to tighten the wound material again, the piece of furniture is either turned upside down or lifted on the corresponding side. Now, with a little force and a prying tool, such as a slotted screwdriver, the plastic plug on the base is opened. Tighten the polyrattan, insert the end into the foot and secure it with the plug.
What is suitable for larger material fractures?
If large areas of the polyrattan become brittle, you can use aluminum rails. These are particularly suitable for the areas that are closest to the ground and, for example, receive more moisture. The rail is fixed there and protects the polyrattan from further wear.
