Just as there are several ways to remove fabric slings from outdoor patio furniture frames,
there is more than one way to replace them. The steps shown below are almost the reverse of the procedure for
removing the slings.
Let's take a typical chair as an example. Similar design and construction are used for
all types of sling patio furniture, so pretty much any other type of sling can be replaced using the same
principles. Please read the steps below completely before starting your sling replacement
project.
Did you mean: How to remove seating slings
This new video takes you through seating sling installation the way the professionals do it. A
few tools are used that you may not find in your workshop, but there are more ways than one to
achieve the same results.
We suggest you watch the video several times until you grasp all the techniques!
2 mins 45 secs
Here's a step by step guide to installing a seating sling in a patio
chair...
[1a] Insert the Sling into the First Channel Feed one end of the
sling into the channel of the first side rail. Obviously, the hemmed edges should be behind or
under the chair. Note: Do not cut the plastic spline to length until
after the sling is completely installed.
[1b] Lubricate the Rails (only if necessary) There
is a lot of friction involved when dragging a sling fabric through the side rail channels. If
you can't pull them through, you may lubricate the channels with a little soapy
water to make the job easier. Another option that works well is to rub a cake of bar soap over the
edges of the sling, where the spline is located.
[2] Sling Fully Inserted When the sling is inserted into both side
rails, it should look something like this.
[3] Do Not Trim the Splines The ends of the splines should be left
sticking out of the channels, because they tend to move when strretching the sling fabric in the
side rails. Cut them off later.
[4] Mount the Sling Rails into the Frame Start by loosely
bolting one of the side rails into position. Screw the bolts/nuts only enough to hold the rails in
position so the other side can be mounted before tightening.
[5] Stretch the Sling and Tighten the Bolts Make sure the sling is aligned
to the front edge of the sling rails. Tighten the front bolts, under the seat, a little at a
time for each one, until fully screwed in. Use a pair of pliers to stretch the sling fabric from
the top of the chair, then tighten each of the rear nuts or bolts, a little at a time for
each one. Note: Make sure the sling remains stretched so it reaches both
ends of the rails. You cannot stretch the fabric after the side rail bolts are tightened.
It's best to use the right tools for this
job.
[6] Insert the Spreader Bars This is the most difficult stage of
replacing your slings. We have a spreader tool for rent to make this easier, but an ingenious person might
devise a way to stretch the side rails apart enough to insert the spreader bars.
[7] Trim the Splines
Now you can cut off any excess spline. Make sure it is trimmed flush with the end of the side rail,
or even shorter, so the end caps will insert fully.
[8] Replace the End Caps
Using a plastic or wooden mallet, tap the end caps back into position on the ends of the side
rails.
