Commercial outdoor pool furniture is by far superior in construction and durability than any consumer-grade furniture on the market. But even with heavy-duty materials, marine-grade fabrics and stellar craftsmanship, commercial pool furniture can sometimes encounter issues like rust, deterioration, and breaks. Unexpected wear and tear of your commercial pool furniture can happen for three reasons: extreme exposure to elements, poor maintenance and extended use.
- Continual exposure to harsh outdoor environments can cause the most damage to your furniture, especially when subjected to humid and wet conditions, which can cause furniture material to break down from dry rot and mildew.
- Lack of regular cleaning is another cause of pool furniture deterioration. Pool chemicals, salt water, and contaminants like sunscreen and bug spray can make metal more vulnerable to corrosion and cause sling fabric to deteriorate.
- Overuse and improper care account for pool furniture damage as well. Constant flexing and load-bearing use by guests can cause straps and slings to fail, while careless stacking, moving and dragging of furniture by employees can damage the finish and weaken the welds.
If you’re experiencing any of these issues with your pool furniture, don’t assume they must be thrown out for safety or aesthetic reasons. As long as the frame is not compromised, many of today’s commercial pool furniture can be refurbished and refreshed for many more years of use. Commercial furniture refurbishing involves replacing parts like vinyl straps and sling fabric, welding small hairline cracks in metal frames, and touching up paint and powder-coating finishes. Performed by commercial professionals, pool furniture refurbishing is an easy and more cost-effective way to bring your furnishings back to life.
Before you make the costly decision to buy new pool furniture, consider refurbishing as a viable option for these furniture components.
Vinyl Straps and Slings
Potential vinyl strap and sling issues to look for:
- Weakened or loose straps
- Stiff, brittle or discolored straps
- Holes or tears in the sling material
- Loose, unsupportive sling fabric
- Cracked or missing plastic rivets/fasteners
Refurbishing solution:
Easy vinyl strap or sling fabric replacement. With vinyl strap furniture, only the affected straps need replacing. With sling chairs and chaise lounges, the fabric is fully replaced and returned to its original tautness. Any faulty fasteners are replaced with new hardware.
Post-refurbish tips:
- Rinse furniture after heavy chlorine exposure or storms
- Inspect fasteners and strap ends regularly, especially in high-traffic pool areas
- Replace worn rivets or clips before the strap fully tears out
- Avoid leaving furniture in unnecessary direct sun when it can be stored or covered
Frame Powder Coating and Paint
Potential frame powder coating and paint issues to look for:
- Chips, dents, or scratches in the frame
- Exposed metal or rust
- Corroded spots from pool chemicals
- Compromised areas such as cracked joints that can retain moisture
Refurbishing solution:
Depending on the size of the dent, chip, or scratch, a simple paint touch-up can solve the problem. Any rust is sanded away, the frame is cleaned and then painted to match your existing frame color. For larger areas, the entire frame can be repainted or powder-coated to create a consistent, like-new look.
Post-refurbish tips:
- Avoid dragging furniture across concrete or deck surfaces
- Regularly clean and dry your furniture, especially after storms or heavy use
- Use extra care when storing, stacking, and moving furniture to reduce edge wear
Welds
Potential weld issues to look for:
- Hairline cracks near the joint or along the weld bead
- Rust staining around seams, corners or weld toes
- Any wobble, looseness or change in alignment
- Flaking coating or small pits near weld areas, which could indicate corrosion under the finish
Refurbishing solution:
A commercial furniture professional visually inspects the frame for cracks, porousness, poor bead shape and any rust at the joints. The defective weld spots are then ground or chipped out and replaced with a new weld. Tests are done to ensure the weld is fully sealed, then any repainting or powder-coating is applied to further protect the frame.
Post-refurbish tips:
- Inspect welds routinely for rust, cracks, and loose joints
- Have damaged coatings retouched quickly so moisture does not reach bare metal
- Store or cover furniture during off-season or extended non-use
- Regularly clean and dry your furniture, especially after storms or heavy use
REAP THE BENEFITS OF REFURBISHING
As the cost of new commercial furniture continues to increase, buyers must do what they can to make their pool furniture last as long as possible. The best advice is to regularly clean and maintain all your pool furnishings – from chaise lounges and poolside chairs to outdoor tables and umbrellas – to prevent issues like rust and corrosion, as well as inspect products for fatigue, tears and loose hardware. If you do find damage that can be repaired or components that can be replaced, the restorations will be less expensive than buying new furniture – potentially saving you 40% to 70%.
At Pool Furniture Supply, we’re all about helping our customers furnish their outdoor area with high-quality pool furniture that’s not only durable but beautiful. To help keep your outdoor furnishings looking and performing their best, we are excited to announce that we will soon be offering refurbishing and repair services for our customers in Florida. Working in partnership with our Florida manufacturers, we will be providing re-strapping and re-slinging services, frame touch-up painting and powder coating, as well as weld reinforcement. Our manufacturers will be able to service any brand of aluminum, marine-grade polymer or PVC furniture frames and will have all the paint colors, fabrics, and straps on hand to match your pieces. Initially, our coverage area will serve customers in Jacksonville all the way down to south Florida. As an added convenience, we’ll also offer pickup and delivery of your pool furniture. We’re thrilled to provide our Florida customers with this money-saving service, and we hope you are too!
Stay tuned – we’ll be sharing more details and guidelines soon about the upcoming launch of Pool Furniture Supply’s refurbishing services!
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