March is a great month to check your garden railings and see what kind of work needs to be done to maintain them. Even the highest-quality wrought iron railings can become damaged due to classic British weather. But if you maintain your wrought iron railings well, they will last for decades.

Essential Ways to Clean Your Railings

Begin by completely cleaning your wrought iron railings from https://donkeywellforge.co.uk/what-we-make/iron-gates-railings/. First, brush away loose dirt and any plant debris from the railings using a soft brush. Check if any moisture has accumulated in the joints and corner areas. It’s good to use a natural bristle brush when you’re cleaning the surface, as wire brushes can be damaging to the protective finish.

Use a simple mix of warm water and a tiny amount of pH-neutral dish soap to remove tough stains. When it comes to wrought iron railings, you should never use bleach or industrial cleaners, because they speed up corrosion and damage the protective coating of the railing. Standing water is also a big problem for iron, so dry the railing really well after you clean it.

Check for Issues

Once you’ve done a good basic clean, assess your wrought iron railings to see if you can spot any other issues. For example, if you see flaking or bubbling paint, that means water has made it to the metal base and is causing corrosion. If you see orange and brown spots, it’s a sign of rust. Over winter, fixings and mounting brackets might also have come loose, and there may be cracks in the decorative elements.

Protective Measures

Sand any affected area and then add a primer, followed by a matching topcoat. Use a quality wax polish to finish the job when everything is dry. This will protect the surface effectively during spring rain periods. Carnauba wax is popular with professionals because it lasts for a long time and has a great shine.

These steps will all help to maximise the lifespan of your wrought iron railings so that they last for years.