CABLE RAIL CLEANING TIPS TO KEEP YOUR RAILINGS LOOKING NEW FOR DECADES
A little bit of cleaner goes a long way.. Summertime is deck season nationwide and our exterior decks and railings are subjected to a multitude of harsh elements and UV rays. Here are some tips to keep all of the components of your railing system in top condition with little effort or expense.
Fresh Water can be great for cleaning decks and railings if it is used sparingly and as long as all the components are allowed to dry. Keeping your railings clean will allow for the addition of penetrating wood oil finishes without the need for stripping or sanding. Fresh water can help to remove environmental contaminants, salt crystals, dirt and buildup. A light duty pressure washer is a perfect tool for easy cleaning and can be purchased for less than 100$. Pressure washers reduce the amount of water use while providing a powerful cleaning mist.
Pressure Wash wooden or steel top rails, posts and cables on a low to medium setting. This should be done prior to using any cleaners or sealers. Allow all of the railing components to dry out thoroughly before cleaning or sealing. Mild sunny days are the preferred weather conditions. Stainless steel posts and cables can also be cleaned with a scotch brite pad and soapy water then rinsed clean. It is NOT RECOMMENDED to use steel wool, or any metallic scouring pads on stainless steel cable railings.
Stainless Steel Cleaner should be used as a final step to achieve a clean protective finish on railing frames and stainless cables. Lightweight oils in the cleaner can prevent airborne contaminants from pitting into posts and cables as well as repelling moisture and salt buildup. It’s very important to utilize only cleaning products designed for high quality stainless steel. Testing a small spot of cleaner in a non visible area is always a good idea on coated finishes.
Penetrating Oils are amazing products for wood preservation. If your wood top railings are clean and dry it’s time to add the oil. A good test is to use an eye dropper to wet a small spot on the top railing. If it beads up then the finish is still heavy but if it soaks in then it could be time for another coat. Hardwoods like Ipe’ are difficult to penetrate for the first couple of years and require a couple of coats a year until the finish really soaks in.
If you have questions about cable rail cleaning products or techniques used for our railing systems, give us a call at 844-277-7327 or visit the quote request page to submit your question.
