How To Remove & Install Slings

Installation can vary by brand or model. Study the construction of your furniture before you begin. Patio Furniture Supplies makes “tight slings” that are as wide as from groove to groove in the sling rails. The fabric that goes into the grooves has to be stretched in. Install a sling into the bolted rails one side at a time and reattach the loose rail to the frame using an electric drill, stretching the fabric to achieve a tight sling. The slings will have too much tension to tighten the bolts by hand.


1. Remove the old sling.
a. Remove the sling rail caps being careful not to scratch the finish.
b. Cut the sling down the middle.
c. Stand to the side of the chair, and hold the back of the sling with one hand and the seat of the sling with the other. Push down on the sling at the back, and pull the sling at the seat until it is removed from the sling rail. (Figure 1.)
d. Remove any support bar that is wedged between the two sling rails. Not all models have support bars. (Figure 2.)


FIGURE 1 Cut the sling and remove it.


FIGURE 2 Remove the support bar if your furniture has one.

 

2. Install the sling in the sling rails.
a. Install the sling spline or rod (included with your order) into both sling pockets leaving an extra inch or two on all ends.
b. Both sling rails should be attached to the frame. Stand to the side of the chair to install one side of the sling. Start at the top and work the sling down one sling rail to the bottom. Support the top of the sling so it doesn’t tear on the end of the rail. (Figure 3.)
c. Remove wrinkles. Before the sling reaches the bottom, hold it tight against the sling rail at the top and pull on the bottom of the sling to pull out the wrinkles in the curve.
d. Remove this sling rail before installing the other side of the sling.
e. With the second sling rail still attached, stand to the side and repeat to install the second side of the sling. This sling rail should be attached so the chair can hold the sling rail as you work.



FIGURE 3 DO NOT allow the sling to fold over the rail or it may tear.

 


3. Re-attach the sling rail. Now the sling is installed in both sling rails, and only one sling rail is attached.
a. Using a blanket to protect the finish, lay the chair on its side so the sling rail is hanging.
b. Place the bolts into the loose sling rail.
c. Start with the back bolt, and using a drill with a bolt head attachment, press down on the bolt until it reaches the frame. The bolt should barely reach the frame.
d. When the bolt reaches the frame, pull the drill’s trigger. Tighten the bolt only half-way. Depending on the fabric, it may be necessary to loosen the bolt on the opposite sling rail so the bolt can reach.
e. Repeat with the remaining bolts and tighten all bolts completely. (Figure 4.)



FIGURE 4 Reattach the loose rail with a drill. A handheld Allen key will not be sufficient.

 


4. Install the support bar. The support bar keeps the sling rails straight. The installed sling is so tight that the rails will bend towards each other, and the support bar won’t fit without manipulation.
a. If the support bar is curved, you can bend it a little more in the center and insert it into the sling rails. Then hit the curve of the support bar with a rubber mallet to spread the bar back to its original shape. (Figure 5.)
b. If the support bar is straight, you will need a device to stretch the sling rails apart. Then insert the support bar and release the sling rails. NOTE: The Dual Stretcher Bar Tool (PFS-TOOL) is available for rent on patiofurnituresupplies.com and comes with instructions and photos. Used with a socket and ratchet, this tool easily stretches or squeezes sling rails. 30-day rental is $25.00 plus $75.00 refundable deposit.



FIGURE 5 A curved support bar can be bent a little, installed and stretched back to shape with a rubber mallet.

 


5. Finish.
a. Turn the chair upright, and cut the excess sling spline. (Figure 6.)
b. Replace the sling rail caps.



FIGURE 6