So, Spring is finally in the air – although you’d be forgiven for thinking otherwise, given the weather lately! Sunny days are indeed on the way though, so in preparation for those, it’s probably time to give your wrought iron gates a bit of a once-over. While they’re known for their resistance and durability – even in the face of the harshest winter weather – they can still benefit from some attention every so often throughout the year, and the onset of Spring is a natural opportunity.
So, what’s the best way to do it?
Do your wrought iron gates need cleaning?
This is the first and most crucial question you’ll need to answer. While lots of home developments need regular cleaning, wrought iron gates often aren’t amongst them. That’s because we often recommend wrought iron gates and railings that have been galvanised and powder-coated. During this process, the gates or railings are submerged into a bath of molten zinc at temperatures of 499 degrees, so that the zinc effectively alloys itself against the surface of the gate.
That prevents rusting, even in the harshest of weather, helping to keep your gates looking pristine for longer. Now, if your gates have been installed for some years, and / or you live nearer to a coastal area (where wind and on occasion sea spray can sometimes be a factor), then you may on rare occasions see some small bits of rust start to develop. If so, here’s how to tackle that.
Dust, wipe, and dry – job done!
In most cases, if your gates or railings aren’t rusty, then you may just need to dust them, which you can do with a soft cloth. If there are any caked-on areas, or any other stains from other liquids or debris, then happily it only requires a simple solution (literally!).
All you need is warm, diluted soapy water, and a non-abrasive sponge or cloth – both highly effective in helping to remove any dirt or debris that’s built up, especially over winter. It’s quite useful against rust, too. Don’t forget that you’ll need to pay special attention to crevices the more intricate designs, where dirt and debris has an irritating habit of accumulating if left long enough.
If there are any particularly stubborn spots, it may be worth using a specialist rust remover – but we’d always advise asking an expert before you do this (possibly a member of our team). Definitely avoid any harsh chemicals like bleach, as these can permanently damage the finish of your wrought iron railing or gate.
As soon as you’re done cleaning the gate, all that’s left to do is wash everything off with clean water. If you’d like, you can choose to pressure-wash your gate or railing on a low, gentle setting. However, as with cleaning chemicals, it can be worryingly easy to accidentally damage the finish of the gate, so don’t get too close, or use too high a setting.
If you have any questions about any part of the cleaning process, you can always ask our team here at SL Wrought Iron – feel free to give us a call on 01254 236994, and we’ll be happy to see how we can help. We have more than 20 years of experience to our name, so you can count on our expert craftsmen to be able to answer your queries in as much or as little detail as you need.
Or, if you’re looking for a brand new set of gates or railings entirely, you can take your pick from our extensive ranges, to suit all styles and settings – from Barnoldswick to Ribchester. Why not take a look around our site, and see what you can find?
