If you’ve got powder-coated aluminum patio furniture in your yard, you might be wondering how to clean this when the time comes. You don’t want to risk ruining the coating, after all, but you do need to be able to clean it effectively.
You can clean aluminum patio furniture using mild soap and water, and you can get rid of rust on the furniture using vinegar. Make sure you don’t scrub the furniture with a scourer or other harsh cleaning implement, or you may leave scratches in the finish.
How To Clean Powder Coated Aluminum Patio Furniture
The best way to clean powder-coated aluminum patio furniture is as follows:
- Move the furniture to a clear area of your yard or patio so you have room to maneuver it and space to clean.
- Rinse the patio furniture using your hosepipe or a watering can, or even just a bucket of clean water. This will help to remove any debris, such as leaf litter, spider webs, etc. from it before you start cleaning it. If you use the hose, you can use a strong spray to wash away dirt.
- Get a bowl of warm, soapy water and some soft cloth’s. Use these to wipe down the furniture, paying attention to any areas where dirt and spider webs have got particularly built up. Don’t use really hot water, harsh chemicals, or abrasive scrubbing tools for this. Warm water should suffice.
- If any areas have stuck-on dirt, place a warm, soapy cloth over the dirt and leave it for a while. This should soften the dirt and make it easy to loosen it off the furniture. Don’t use abrasives or try to scratch the dirt off the furniture, or you are likely to damage the powder coating.
- When you have finished, rinse all the soap off the furniture using more clean water, from a bucket or a hose. Allow the furniture to dry, and then put it back in its original position, and you’ve finished.
Your furniture should now be nice and clean and ready for more use!
How Do You Get Rust Off Powder Coated Aluminum Patio Furniture?
Most furniture with a powder coating will hold up to water well, but occasionally, you will see spots of rust appearing. If this happens, you need to address the problem as soon as possible, because it will quickly begin to spread.
You should start by cleaning the furniture as described above to remove all other dirt and debris. With this done, allow the furniture to fully dry, and then mix white vinegar and water at a 1:1 ratio.
Dip a soft cloth into this mixture and use it to wipe away the rust. You may need to gently scrub some areas, but don’t rub it hard. If you can’t shift the rust with your cloth, swap for a soft bristled brush.
The vinegar should help to remove the rust and leave your furniture looking shiny and beautiful again. You can then apply a thin layer of car wax, as this will protect the furniture from the rain and prevent it from rusting further. Rust may be a sign that the powder coating has lost its effectiveness, so it’s a good idea to add a new layer of protection.
Does Powder Coating Fade In The Sun?
Powder coatings do last very well, but being exposed to constant sunlight will gradually break them down. It results in a process that is known as chalking, which occurs when the pigment and resin particles used in the coating react with the sunlight and lose their adhesion powders.
This results in a powdery sort of dust on the surface of your furniture. It will initially just look faded, but the coating will gradually start to break down and lose its ability to protect the metal.
This will happen with all kinds of powder coating, but the more exposure your furniture gets to sunlight and harsh weather, the more quickly it will lose its coating and get damaged. Without the coating, your furniture will begin to rust.
This is why it is important to maintain your furniture regularly, and that means cleaning it with mild detergent and warm water, treating it for rust, and adding car wax if necessary. Try to clean your furniture often, so you don’t have to remove a lot of dirt at one time, and you should find that it lasts better.
Does WD-40 Harm Powder Coatings?
WD-40 should be perfectly safe to use on powder-coated furniture. If you use it, it will help to create a shine, but you should be aware that this shine will not last for long. The furniture will quickly become dull again.
Although WD-40 shouldn’t hurt the surface, it may not be particularly good for it either, and it may result in the buildup of dust. Car wax may give you a better finish and will help to protect the powder coating too.
How Long Does Powder Coated Furniture Last?
The longevity of any piece of furniture will depend on the conditions that it is exposed to and the amount of use it gets. If your powder-coated furniture is constantly exposed to harsh sunlight and a lot of rain and wind, it will not last as well as powder-coated furniture that is in a shaded, sheltered spot.
Powder-coated furniture can last up to 20 years, but in many cases, it will need maintenance and repairs much sooner than this. You should also be aware that there are different kinds of coatings. Some will last longer than others – so talk to the manufacturer about the expected lifespan of the product before purchasing anything.
Conclusion
You can clean powder-coated aluminum patio furniture with simple soap and water, and this is the best way to remove dirt and debris. If the furniture is showing signs of rust, wipe it with white vinegar and water, and apply some car wax to reduce the risk of further rusting.
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