Whether you’re enjoying a summer evening on your deck or greeting guests on your front porch, railing is an essential component of many homes. Installing porch railing or deck railing adds value to your home while giving it a well-maintained and aesthetic appeal.
As with any outdoor feature, railing is exposed to the elements, so to help keep your railing looking its best, here are some tips to help you care for it:
General tip: We recommend checking and cleaning your railing one to two times per year. It can be as simple as spraying the dirt off with a garden hose!
Stubborn stains: For more stubborn dirt or stain removal, you can wash your railing with a solution of warm water and mild, non-abrasive detergent, and rinse to remove all residues. The railing should be cleaned using a soft cloth or sponge. For more difficult stains using cleaners like Simple Green, Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, mineral spirits, trichloroethylene, CLR or vinegar.
Minor scratches or scuff marks: For small surface scratches, marks or scuffs, try using a sealer pen like Dupli-Color Scratch Seal™. To remove scuffs and scratches from vinyl railing, we recommend using Collinite 920 Fiberglass Boat Cleaner. Apply a small amount on a soft cloth, and gently rub.
If you happen to scratch the powder-coated surface of your aluminum or steel railing, you can touch up with our touch-up paint, which is available in either an aerosol can or bottle brush.
Coastal areas: If you live in coastal areas (beachfront), or areas where salts and pollutants are more prevalent (industrial areas), then railing should be cleaned more frequently. We recommend cleaning every three months. Wash with a mild, nonabrasive soap and water, using a sponge to reduce accumulations of salt and dirt. Always rinse with fresh water after cleaning to remove any soap residue.
Steel cable rail: For our steel cable rail, we recommend using our E-Z Clean Cleaner & Protectant. E-Z Clean cleans, lubricates and protects. Simply apply the rust and stain remover, and wipe off any rusty areas. Then apply the protectant, and wipe off any excess. The wax-based formula reaches deep into metal crevices to displace moisture and dissolve corrosion, and dries to a clean waxy waterproof finish without leaving a sticky residue.
DO NOT USE:
- Abrasive cleaners – solvents
- Industrial cleaners
- Cleaners with solvents
- Abrasive material – steel wool, scrub pads
- Scotch-brite
Click for a PDF version of care and maintenance tips for railing