How do you maintain stainless steel cable railings? In some ways, that is a misleading question because the stainless steel cable railings we install need almost no maintenance. They never sag, warp, or buckle and so they don’t need to be retightened. However, they may need occasional maintenance. And extreme weather can challenge our railings and force some repairs. Here’s what you need to know about how to maintain stainless steel cable railings.
Cleaning Stainless Steel Cable Railings
Dust and dirt will collect on any stainless steel cable railing, whether it is inside or outside. At least on a yearly basis, you should clean it off. The process is simple, just use a mild soap and soft brush to soap up the rail, then rinse it clean. Do not use any hard bristle brush or other tough surface, because these can sometimes strip off the protective sealant on the metal. You should then run it over with a second cloth to dry it. Don’t leave water on the railing.
Inspection After Extreme Weather
Our railings are resistant to extreme conditions, including fire and windstorms. However, nothing humans build can be truly impervious to these things. After extreme weather you should always look over your stainless steel cable railing and make sure it was not damaged. Bending, corrosion, marks from flame, scratches from objects thrown by extreme wind, and other damage are all reasons to reach out to the experts and see what your railing needs.
Treating or Preventing Corrosion
What if you do happen to notice corrosion while you’re cleaning or inspecting the railing? It can occur if the steel is exposed to unusual conditions or if it is quite old and worn. Either way, small corrosion needs to be treated to prevent it from growing. You can also preventatively treat your steel for corrosion with this method.
You can apply both a rust treatment for stainless steel and a stainless steel protectant product. There are many different solutions on the market, choose one from a brand you trust. Apply it according to instructions, usually with a soft cloth or brush. Do so after you cleaned the metal.
Maintain Any Wood
To add warm and charm, some stainless steel cable railings are given wood top rails. If you have one, then you may need to maintain it. When it was installed, your railing company should have given you instructions about how to maintain the specific wood you have. It was likely sealed and may need to be resealed every few years down the road. However, some high end species of wood do not need to be sealed, so try to confirm what is already on the wood before you apply a sealant. If your wood was painted you’ll also want to repaint every few years and carefully rematch it.
Of course, you should also maintain any parts of your cable railing that are made of other metals that aren’t steel, but if your cable railing was from us all of the other parts will be steel.
