How To Repair Office Chair Arms

If you have a crack or break in your office chair arms, there are some simple yet effective repairs you can perform to make sure it’s giving you the proper support you need. Follow this helpful guide to find out what to do.

How to Repair Cracked Office Chair Arms

Repairing cracked office chair arms to salvage your favorite office chair requires a simple trip to the hardware store to pick up some basic tools and materials. If you prefer not to fix it yourself, check out some of our reviews to find yourself a new one then find where to donate an office chair for your old one.

Materials You Will Need

Before you begin repairing the arm of your chair, make sure that you have all the proper tools and materials to complete the job.

Screwdriver

An office chair armrest usually has two or four screws attaching it to the chair. In most cases, the screws are Phillips screws, so you will need a Phillips screwdriver of the right size.

Plastic Epoxy

Epoxy is an effective, high-strength adhesive that will strengthen any cracks in the arm of your chair. Plastic epoxy is specially formulated for bonding together plastic materials. You will need to mix the epoxy to activate it before applying it.

Rope

You’ll need rope to use as a clamp to keep the arm tight while the epoxy dries. Make sure that you get a rope that is around 3/16-inch in diameter or more so it is strong enough to hold the arm together.

Duct Tape

To further reinforce the broken area of the chair and create a secure bond, you will want to use high-strength, multi-use duct tape. Find one that is in the same color as the arm of the chair so that it blends in.

Repairing the Broken Chair Arm

Once you have assembled the right tools and materials, follow these steps to repair your chair’s armrest. Make sure you have a clear, flat workspace available.

1. Remove the Arm

To remove the arm of the chair, find the screw holes in the arm. Office chair arms are generally attached with two to four screws depending on the type of armrest. Those that are attached to the bottom of the chair have two screws on the underside of the chair. Those that are attached to the seat and back of the chair have four screws located on the side of the armrest.

2. Apply Adhesive

Once you’ve carefully removed the arm, place it on a sturdy, level surface that’s easy to work on. Clean the cracked or broken area to make sure there’s no dirt or dust. Mix the resin and hardener components of the epoxy together when you’re ready to apply it. Epoxy hardens quickly after mixing it together, so only mix it when you’re ready to apply it to the arm. Apply the adhesive generously into the cracks. When done, press the cracks together tightly.

Tip: Clean the cracked or broken area to make sure there’s no dirt or dust

3. Clamp the Arm

Now you need to use the rope to continuously apply pressure so that the glued components stay tight. Loop it around the arm in such a way that clamps the ends of the broken parts of the armrest together tightly. Wipe away excess epoxy that comes out from pressing the broken area together.

4. Reinforce

Let the arm settle for 10 to 15 minutes after applying the epoxy and clamping it with the rope. After that period of time has passed, wrap some duct tape around the affected area. The duct tape will reinforce the bond created by the epoxy. Make sure you wrap the duct tape around the arm fully at least one time around.

Warning: Make sure you wrap the duct tape around the arm fully at least one time around

5. Reassemble the Arm

Allow the epoxy to harden over a 24-hour period. After that, you can remove the rope from the arm and reinstall it onto the chair. Simply line up the screw holes on the arm to the ones on the chair. Screw in each bolt halfway before tightening them to make sure that the arm is properly aligned and avoids potential damage from uneven pressure. If these steps don’t produce the results you’re looking for, you may need to replace the arms on your office chair. However, if you want to never have to worry about a broken armrest again, you can get a chair without arms like the one in our HON ValuTask low-back task chair review. Additionally, we have other articles you can check out for more repairs for your chair. So if you want to try to save some money repairing your chair instead of buying a new one you can learn how to fix an office chair that won’t stay up. Alternatively, if you want to express your uniqueness once your chair is fixed, read about how to customize your gaming chair.

*http://ergonomictrends.com/armrests-on-ergonomic-office-chairs/

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Officechair

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swivel_chair

*https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGaVqi7LegU

*https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doQeUZIinY0

*http://ergonomictrends.com/armrests-on-ergonomic-office-chairs/