How to Riempie a Chair

This article gives step-by-step instructions on how to replace the damaged riempies of a chair or bench.

Steps

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    Remove old riempies and tacks using cutter and tack remover.
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    Clean any grime that settled under the old riempies.
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    Remove riempie that has been soaking. Wipe with cloth along its length to remove excess water.
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    Remove Prestik from tapered end.
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    Thread riempie through first hole (from underneath of chair) leaving about 1–2 centimeter (0.4–0.8 in) underneath.
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    Turn chair over and secure end of riempie to the chair frame using an upholstery tack and the hammer.
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    Thread riempie through hole opposite the first one (from top of frame down).
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    Pull the riempie as taut as you can and secure it in place by inserting forceps or nail in the hole together with the riempie. This prevents the riempie from becoming loose and sagging.
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    Thread the riempie up through the next hole then across to the opposite side. Once it has been threaded down through the opposite hole, pull it taut, remove the forceps from its first position and insert in the new position.
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    Continue in this way until the riempie is used up. Leave enough that you are still able to pull the riempie taut.
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    Turn the chair over, secure the end with a tack and cut off any excess riempie.
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Community Q&A

  • Question
    Do I need to soak riempies before putting them into a chair?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You get 2 types of riempies. The soft white one doesn't need soaking. However, the harder "raw" riempie needs to be soaked in cold water for a few hours until it is soft and pliable.
  • Question
    Can I make a knot on a riempie strip?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Don't make a knot. Riempies can be joined by cutting a small slit in one, about 1 cm from the end, just enough for the second riempie to pass through. Cut a small slice from both sides of the second riempie, leaving a T shape on the end. Pass this through the first from the top and twist so that the T hooks underneath the first.
  • Question
    Where can I buy the riempies in the Cape area?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You can check out Kehl's in Voortrekker Road, Maitland. They stock all upholstery requirements in this area.
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Warnings

  • When you get to the corners, you can either cut the riempie there and tack it, before starting with a new riempie, or you can pull it across the corner, however, just make sure it can’t be seen when the chair is the right way up. It’s not a train smash if you do it like that, but it is generally preferable to end a riempie at the corner and then start with a new one.
    ⧼thumbs_response⧽
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Things You'll Need

  • Apart from buying the riempies and the tacks, you will find you probably already have all the tools you need in the house. If not, these items are useful to have, and can be used for a million other things.
  • Upholstery tack remover (not absolutely necessary, but useful, however, you can use a screwdriver and small hammer to remove old tacks)
  • Sharp Stanley knife/NT cutter
  • Prestik
  • Riempies – these come in strips about 2m in length each – you normally use 3 to 4 per chair (with 8 to 9 holes per side)
  • Something to hold riempie in place once it is threaded and pulled taut – laboratory forceps are ideal as they are sprung, but a thick nail or thin dowel can also work-a plastic nozzle from a silicone cartridge available free from most hardware shops works very well. Wooden golf tees are also perfect for the job - they are tapered and the top of the tee holds the riempie snugly.
  • Upholstery tacks - +/- 13 mm tacks
  • Hammer
  • Old towel or piece of cloth

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About This Article

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 10 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 69,542 times.
14 votes - 100%
Co-authors: 10
Updated: April 4, 2022
Views: 69,542
Categories: Upholstery | Building Chairs and Seating
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