How To Replace Vinyl Straps On Patio Furniture

I bought my chaise lounger just after my retirement, and in no time, it became my prized possession.

However, it started looking old and worn out over the years, failing to blend with my beautiful outdoor space. So, like any other owner, I thought it was probably time to get it replaced, even though it didn’t lose its stability. 

But once I got to searching for patio furniture online, I realized that the chair didn’t really require replacement. It would just lead to an unnecessary expense, which both my husband and I wanted to avoid. 

Having said that, I didn’t even want to compromise the aesthetic appeal of my patio. That’s when I started looking for alternatives and was pleased to find out that instead of buying a new chair or chaise lounger, I could simply replace its vinyl straps to make it look new. 

After much contemplation, I decided it was worth a try, despite not knowing how to get going with the replacement process. Then again, the internet always comes to the rescue, right?

Are you in a similar dilemma? Well, don’t worry!

Hi, I’m Stacy, and today I’ve carefully created this guide to help you learn how to replace vinyl straps on patio furniture. So, let’s begin. 

Replacing Vinyl Straps On Patio Furniture

Trust me, sturdy pool and patio furniture can last for years before they start wearing out. However, the vinyl straps on chaise loungers and chairs are prone to becoming weak, stained, and oily due to dirt, sun lotions, and of course, the ever-changing weather conditions. 

But that doesn’t mean you have to discard your commercial-grade chair. Do what I do; simply replace the straps, and extend the life of your patio lounge without burning a hole in your pocket. Don’t worry, it’s not a challenging task, even for first-timers, and as I promised, I’m here to help. 

Here I’ve provided a step-by-step guide to help you through the entire process, explaining all that you need to know in detail. Take a look…

Step 1: Order The Replacement Straps

You obviously won’t be having replacement straps and rivets lying around your home (if you do, that’s great; you may skip this step). You’ll have to order the straps, depending on the length of the chair or chaise lounger. 

There are two options for this – you can order pre-measured and cut straps or simply opt for a roll and measure and cut them yourself.

Step 2: Cut & Remove The Vinyl Straps From Your Patio Furniture

Grab a pair of scissors and start cutting through the old vinyl straps. You can then unravel the straps from your chaise lounger or chair to pop out the old rivets. Just make sure you bolt down or place something heavy on its bottom rails in order to keep it secure.

Step 3: Measure & Cut The New Straps

As mentioned earlier, you can skip this step if you’ve already ordered pre-measured and cut vinyl straps. But if you haven’t, hold the measuring tape over your chair’s rivet hole on one side, and wrap it around its frame. Once that’s done, pull it across while wrapping it twice around the frame. Also, don’t forget to take measurements at the center of the other hole.

It’s also important to note that vinyl straps stretch when they’re heated, so make sure you remember to subtract 15% of the measurement from the cut. For instance, if the total measurement is 30 inches, you’ll have to cut the straps to 25 inches.

Step 4: Heating The Vinyl Straps

This is another crucial step in the entire replacement process, which will help soften the vinyl straps. Prepare a pot of hot water that’s around 200 degrees Fahrenheit and add 2-3 straps at a time for 2-3 minutes; however, leaving them in longer will definitely not hurt. 

Now, you may remove the straps carefully using tongs, wearing white gloves. It’s not recommended to wear colored gloves for the process as the color might bleed into the straps when you come in contact with the hot water. 

Step 5: Strap Your Patio Furniture

You may use tongs or gloves to pull out a strap and install it before it cools down. To secure it in place, push in a new plastic rivet through the holes in each end, keeping them faced the same way. 

Now, wrap the strap around the rivet twice, stretching it to the other side, and then push in the other rivet. You can then pull up on the vinyl to slide it over the hole, and you’re done.

Step 6: Allow The Straps To Cool

Once the straps are installed, allow them to cool till they regain their sturdiness, and you’re good to go! Your patio chair or chaise lounger will look brand new and last you through the years. And the best part is that you won’t have to spend a ton of money on getting the furniture replaced. 

Summing It Up

Why spend money on a new patio chaise lounger or chair when you can easily get their vinyl straps replaced at a fraction of cost? 

This will not only make your furniture look new but will also enhance its longevity by years. And no, it’s not that hectic, provided you know the steps involved in the replacement procedure.

Apart from this, there are a few crucial points that need attention, and I’ve tried to cover them through this guide. So, make sure you go through the steps carefully, and I’m sure you’ll be able to replace the vinyl straps on your patio or poolside furniture within no time.

And if you’re looking for the best covers for patio furniture, don’t forget to check out the guide!

On that note, I come to the end of my informative guide, hoping you were able to gain the required insight related to the topic. With this, I’ll take your leave. Till next time!