For years before the smoked rattan reed was invented, we wicker repair pros had to stain match the natural whiteish reed color to a dark, stained wicker piece.
So once the new smoked reed came on the market in the 1980s, I was elated and began using smoked rattan reed to repair all my wicker furniture repair projects.
When restoring a wicker furniture piece that has a dark stain color already, it’s a good idea to use smoked rattan reed instead of the natural light-colored rattan reed to make those repairs.
Using smoked rattan reed for those repairs will speed up the repair process and eliminate one of the steps by no longer needing to stain match the new reed to the old.
This simple substitution of materials will reduce your hours of labor and make your job more profitable in the long run!
RELATED: Not ready to DIY your wicker repairs? Check out the professionals on my National Furniture Repair Directory™
Using the darker, smoked reed makes staining and blending the color match much easier. Can you see in the photos how well the smoked reed blends with the original stained part on this lovely Victorian wicker chair that I’m repairing?
RELATED: Need to buy some of that smoked reed? Check out all the businesses on my
Cane and Basket Supplies Directory ™
I’m always looking for ways to speed up the restoration process, aren’t you? I think substituting smoked reed for the natural reed is a no-brainer when you are repairing a dark stained (not painted), piece of wicker furniture.
How about you? Have you ever considered using the smoked reed on your wicker restoration projects? Please leave comments below.
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Happy Weaving, until next time!
