Corten steel maintenance: Handy tips and tricks that you can use right away

Corten steel planters, fire bowls, border edges and other decorative items are very popular in gardens nowadays. This is not without reason; corten steel has a rugged, vintage look and is a durable and low-maintenance material.

In this blog, we give you useful tips for maintaining corten steel, so you can enjoy these beautiful products for years to come.

Summary

• Corten steel has a beautiful appearance and requires little maintenance.
• Remove dirt and green deposits to prevent incorrect rust development or uneven discoloration.
• Do not use a pressure washer, chemicals, or acidic cleaners to clean the corten steel. This will prevent damage.

How much maintenance does corten steel need?

Corten steel requires little maintenance, thanks to the natural oxidation layer. This layer protects the material from corrosion. Therefore, corten steel is very suitable for outdoor use.

To keep your products looking nice and prolong their lifespan, you should clean your corten steel at least once a year with a soft brush. This will remove dirt and dust.

If it is covered with leaves or other debris, clean it with a soft brush or cloth and water, possibly with mild soap. Wet leaves on the steel can retain moisture, which accelerates rust formation and can cause uneven discoloration.

Seasonal maintenance tips

Corten steel is protected against all weather conditions thanks to the top rust layer. This allows your corten steel planter, fire bowl, or corten steel wood storage to stay outside without any problems. Even when the corten steel in our water tables comes into contact with water for an extended period, the material remains durable and resistant to rusting through. Nevertheless, there are some seasonal maintenance tips to prolong the lifespan and maintain the beautiful appearance:

Autumn

Remove leaves and branches from the surface: wet organic material can accelerate rust formation and cause uneven discoloration. Therefore, make sure to regularly remove leaves and branches.

Winter

Avoid direct contact with de-icing salt: De-icing salt or other chemicals used to combat ice and snow can damage the protective rust layer.

“Corten steel is a durable material that requires little maintenance.”

How should you treat corten steel?

It is important to treat your corten steel product before use. This helps prolong its lifespan. Below you can read how to do this:

Cleaning

First, clean your product by removing dirt and dust from transport or storage. Use the following:

• Water
• Mild soap
• A soft brush.

Placing in the garden

Then place the corten steel in your garden and ensure that no plants or other things are on top of it. Let it stand in the open air. Due to the alternating wet and dry weather, the corten steel will rust by itself. Furthermore, you will need to be patient: the rusting process starts within a few weeks to months, and the complete rust process will be completed within 1 to 2 years.

Reading tip

Do you want to know more about the rusting process and how to speed it up? Then read our blog about the corten steel rusting process.

Suitable means for treatment

Although the rust layer of corten steel already provides good protection against further corrosion, it is possible to further protect the product by applying a protective coating. Do you want to stop rusting at some point and preserve the beauty of the corten steel? Then you can use two types of coatings to delay further rust formation: oil and varnish.

Powder coating with a clear layer

If you want to not only slow down but completely stop the rusting process, it is also possible to powder coat the corten steel product with a clear layer. You could ask a local powder coater (ask for a ‘clear matte coating’ or ‘clear gloss coating’). The downside of this method is that it is quite expensive and the product (such as a corten steel planter) must be completely disassembled.

How do you remove (green) deposits and other dirt from your corten steel product?

Green deposits and other dirt can affect the appearance of your corten steel products, but fortunately, there are some good cleaning methods you can use. It is important to apply the right techniques to avoid damage:

Cleaning with a soft brush and cloth

To remove light deposits and dirt, it is usually sufficient to use water and a soft brush or cloth. By cleaning regularly, about once a month, you prevent dirt from accumulating and becoming harder to remove.

It is important not to press too hard while cleaning, as this can damage the rust layer.

What should you especially NOT do with corten steel?

The maintenance of corten steel is quite simple, but there are some common mistakes that you should avoid:

• Do not use acidic cleaners: They can dissolve the protective patina layer. Also, bleach and chlorine-containing products can cause discoloration and damage.
• Do not clean with a pressure washer: This can damage or even remove the protective rust layer, causing the corten steel to rust unevenly and have a shorter lifespan.
• Do not use abrasive cleaning agents: Materials like steel wool can leave scratches and make the surface rough.
• Do not apply traditional coatings or paint: This can disrupt the natural aging process of the material and prevent the formation of the protective patina.
• Do not use traditional anti-rust products: If you want to speed up or slow down the rusting process, it is important to only use products specifically developed for corten steel. Using other means can disrupt the natural rusting process and affect quality. Do you want to know what you can do? More information can be found in our blog about the rusting process of corten steel.

By avoiding these common mistakes and handling corten steel with care, you can maintain the lifespan and beautiful vintage look.

Conclusion

Corten steel is a durable material that requires little maintenance to maintain its beautiful appearance. By regularly cleaning it with a soft brush and water, the protective layer remains intact and you prevent damage.

Also, seasonal maintenance is important. Remove leaves from corten steel in autumn and avoid using de-icing salt in winter. This helps prolong the lifespan of your products.

By following these tips, you can enjoy the beautiful appearance of your corten steel products for years to come.