Old cane is usually worth saving, but the right fix depends on what is actually wrong with it. Start by sorting out the material and the type of seat. Then clean the piece, repair the frame, and only after that decide whether the cane needs patching, re-tightening or full replacement.
Cane, rattan and wicker: what’s the difference
These three words get mixed up often:
- Rattan is the climbing palm stem.
- Cane is the thin, glossy outer skin of that stem, cut into strands.
- Wicker is a weaving method, not a material. Wicker can be made from rattan reed, willow, paper fiber or synthetic resin.
So a chair described as cane is usually woven from cane strands, while a wicker chair may be made from any of several materials. If you are not sure what your piece is made of, see how to restore wicker furniture for a simple test.
Identify the seat type
Caned seats come in two main constructions:
- Hand caning: strands are woven through holes drilled around the seat frame.
- Pressed (sheet) cane: a machine-woven sheet is set into a groove in the frame and held in place with a reed spline. No holes are drilled through the frame.
This matters because the two can’t simply be swapped. A pressed-cane frame cannot be hand-caned without drilling new holes and altering the frame, and a hand-caned frame cannot take sheet cane without the same kind of change. Identify the type before you buy any materials.
Clean the cane first
Start with a vacuum and a soft brush to remove loose dust. Dust should come off first, because water turns it into grime. Then wipe the cane with a mild soap solution on a barely damp cloth, and dry it fully before you do anything else.
Mildew needs a gentler hand. Wipe it with a dilute white vinegar solution or a mild oxygen-bleach solution, and test that on a hidden spot first.
Old cane may have been painted with lead paint. If you suspect that, do not sand it. Test before you do any mechanical work.
Sort out sagging, cracks and breaks
Look at the seat under good light and sort the damage into one of three groups:
- Sagging but intact: if the strands are sound, moisture can often pull the cane taut again. See how to restore dried-out cane furniture.
- Small breaks in hand caning: a few broken strands can sometimes be patched by weaving in new ones.
- Broken, brittle or frayed strands: these cannot be revived. The affected section has to be replaced.
Large damage means a full recane. For the steps, see how to replace a cane on a chair. For what a professional recane usually costs, see how much it costs to have a chair recaned.
Repair the frame before the cane
Do frame repairs before any new cane goes in. Loose joints and refinishing both come first. If you fix the frame after the new seat is in, you risk damaging the cane while you work on the wood. For the joint work itself, see restoring an old chair and how to fix a loose chair rung.
Finishing the cane
Whether to finish cane at all is a point caners disagree on.
- Some restorers apply a very thin coat of boiled linseed oil. Others say oils and furniture polish attract dust and can darken the cane over time.
- Painting the cane hides cracks, but it makes the strands stiffer and more likely to crack.
- If you do finish the cane, a thin coat of shellac or lacquer is the one to consider.
- Painting or staining the wooden frame is a separate question from the cane itself. For painting, see how to paint a wooden chair.
Store and use the chair at a moderate humidity, roughly 40 to 60 percent relative humidity, and keep it away from radiators and direct sun. Test any finish on a hidden spot first.
What oil should you use on cane furniture?
Most restorers avoid heavy oils and furniture polish. Some use a very thin coat of boiled linseed oil, and others advise against any oil at all. If you want to try one, test it on a hidden spot and keep the coat very thin.
Are old cane chairs worth anything?
It depends on age, maker, condition and whether the original seat and finish are intact. Some old cane furniture has little resale value. Original pieces can be worth more, and refinishing or recaning can change that value. If a chair might be valuable, get an appraisal before large changes. The old furniture value guide explains what drives value.
How long does cane furniture last?
It depends on use, humidity and care. Many old cane seats are still in use after decades. Cane kept at a steady, moderate humidity and out of direct sun tends to last longer than cane that is repeatedly dried out and wetted again. Breaks and drying usually come before the frame fails.
Safety
Old cane may have been painted with lead paint, so test before sanding and do not sand it. Trimming cane takes sharp blades, so cut away from your hands and work slowly around corners.