Cable railings stainless-steel components are rust resistant, NOT rust proof. All stainless-steel alloys are subject to rusting if not properly maintained or if used in environments conducive to corrosions, such as installations near saltwater; however, properly maintaining cable railings will help prevent rusting or remove early signs of rust, returning the railings to like-new condition. In order to ensure that you are able to properly care for your cable railings and prevent them from rusting, the expert team from Vista Railings has put together some helpful information on properly maintaining and cleaning cable railings.
Properly Maintaining Cable Railings
Since cable railings are made from high-quality materials, homeowners can easily keep their railings looking nice and functioning properly without having to perform significant maintenance. If caught early enough, rust can be removed from the stainless-steel cables by simply cleaning them. It is also a good idea to clean other parts of railings—balusters, fittings, top railings, etc.—at the same time to keep the cable railings looking brand new for as long as possible. In the event that your cable railings are showing more advanced signs of rust, make sure to speak with a railing expert to see if they can recommend a rust removal cleaning product.
How to Clean Cable Railings
Cable railings should be cleaned with warm water, a soft cloth, and mild dish soap at least once or twice a year, or as often as needed based on your environment. How often you will need to clean your cable railings will greatly depend on how exposed the hardware is to extreme weather conditions and saltwater. Make sure to only clean the railings when they are covered in shade or on cloudy days to prevent the railings from drying too quickly in the sun, causing soap spots.
When cleaning your cable railings, it is important to make sure that you:
- Only use clean water and a soft cloth on the coated surfaces.
- Use a mild dish soap along with a soft cloth for stronger cleaning needs, such as removing rust spots.
- Never use harsh chemicals, household cleaners, or abrasives, especially products containing bleach.
- Remove sap, bird droppings, and bug splatter as soon as possible because sun exposure can make them more difficult to remove from the railing.
- Always test cleaning products on a small, inconspicuous part of the railing before applying it to the entire railing.
If you would like to learn more about preventing cable railings from rusting, or if you are interested in their selection of cable railings, please contact Vista Railings at 1-800-667-8247. They would love to help you select the best cable railings for your unique requirements.