In addition to regular wear and tear, outdoor patio furniture has to stand up against heavy use and extreme weather conditions. Swivel chair patio furniture in particular can be sensitive to damage and degradation over time thanks to its moving components. Luckily there are several ways you can maintain and repair these rotating seats all on your own. Continue reading to learn about the steps you can take to prolong the life of your swivel and rocker patio chairs.
Common Issues
Swivel chair patio furniture can be a great addition to your commercial space. The 360-degree rotation and comfortable design makes it an instant favorite with guests. As with any piece of outdoor furniture though, these chairs can succumb to several issues that can weaken the positive experience. For example, the swivel mechanism can become stiff or even stuck bringing the chair’s movement to a complete stop. Conversely, wobbly bases, rusted or loose bolts, and bent frames can make the chair unstable and unsafe to spin in.
Waiting for these issues to arise or ignoring them until they become larger problems can be costly. The good news is that there’s a way to greatly mitigate or avoid the issues altogether. Follow the preventative steps below to keep your swivel and rocker patio chairs in excellent condition for much longer.
Regular Inspection
The first step to a strong maintenance routine is to regularly inspect your swivel chair patio furniture for any damage. Assess your patio furniture at least once a year before you bring it out for the summer season. But if your swivel chair is out all year round or is often exposed to severe weather examine it carefully on a more regular basis.
As part of your inspection, you will need to look out for rusted, broken, or missing parts as well as loose screws. These problems make swivel and rocker patio chairs unsteady and unsafe to use. Take a closer look at the rest of the chair for any damage. If it’s a metal or plastic chair look for any cracks or breaks that you can fill with putty.
If the swivel feature isn’t working check the chair’s races, springs, and ball bearings for rust or damage. For swivel and rocker patio chairs specifically, you’ll also want to look at the manual mechanisms such as the base assembly, direct drive, and hand levers. If any of these parts are squeaking, it’s time to replace them. This can be a complicated task that doesn’t usually come with instructions so it’s best to reach out for a professional’s help on this one.
Lubricate the Swivel Mechanism
The swivel feature on swivel and rocker patio chairs is what makes them stand out from ordinary patio chairs. So, it’s important to perform regular maintenance on these features so they can continue to rotate. The easiest way to keep these mechanisms working together smoothly is to use lubrication.
Swivel chair patio furniture can become stiff due to lack of use and even exposure to normal weather conditions. Use a spray or oil lubricant to loosen any stuck parts of the chair. Be careful not to use too much though since excessive lubrication traps dirt and grime onto the chair, causing even more problems down the road.
When lubricating your swivel chair patio furniture remember to only apply it to the metal parts of the chair. Lubricant can damage plastic and fabric and leave it looking stained. To be safe, test the lubricant out on a small, inconspicuous part of your swivel chair to make sure it works with the material. White lithium grease and silicone spray are the most often recommended lubricants for outdoor patio furniture but there are plenty of lubricant options available that work with different types of metals and last for different amounts of time.
Tighten and Replace Bolts
Because swivel chair patio furniture is moved around so much, the bolts holding it together can become loose or worn down. As a result, the chair can wobble and tilt back too far. Luckily, this issue is often simple to fix. Examine the condition of the bolts. Sometimes you only need to tighten the screws back into place. Check and tighten your bolts regularly to prevent excessive rust or damage and keep your swivel secure. If a bolt does rust or becomes stripped, lubricate the area to unscrew it. Replacing the screw after that should be easy. Afterwards, you’ll need to test your swivel and rocker patio chairs to ensure the bolts have been tightened enough and the movement is smooth.
Know When to Call a Professional
Your swivel chair patio furniture endures weather conditions, heavy use, and more. It’s important to take care of these comfortable chairs so they last as long as possible, saving you the expense of buying new ones. While there are plenty of ways to keep your swivel and rocker patio chairs looking nice and working well, sometimes doing it yourself isn’t enough.
Severe rust or damage can require more than DIY fixes. New Again is here to help with all your patio furniture restoration and repair needs. Contact us today and learn how we can turn your worn patio furniture into something new!