Although stainless steel is usually protected by an oxide layer that prevents the metal from coming into contact with air, water, and acids, it tends to rust easily when exposed to harsh conditions such as chlorides often found in harsh environments. marine and swimming pools. .

To prevent your railings from rusting when exposed to these environments, you must do a number of things.

How to prevent rust and corrosion

The best way to prevent rust from occurring on your railings is through passivation. This is a procedure that removes any loose iron that may be on the railing surface. Iron can be the result of machining or welding. After passivation, a chromium oxide layer forms on the railing and the steel is said to be “passive” and requires very little care.

Once you have your railing systems installed, you need to maintain them so that they last a long time. The best way to maintain the railings is by rinsing them daily with clean water. By doing this, any chlorides that may be on the surface are removed.

If the railing has any visible rust, it should be removed immediately using a passivation product. The product removes rust and re-passivates the surface. To ensure that salts do not get into the steelwork, you must treat the passivated areas with a sealing product.

Maintenance of steel railings that have badly rusted

If your railing has rusted to the point that the corrosion is crusted over, it may be an indication of pitting. If you do not want to remove the steel rail, you must take steps to maintain it. You should be aware that pitted stainless steel generally requires more maintenance.

The first thing you should do is remove the rust with an aggressive cleaning product. To prevent further damage to the railing, you must ensure that the product does not scratch.

After cleaning the steel, you need to seal the intergranular structure with a high-quality sealant. After doing this, you should be sure to get regular inspections and follow-up care to remove tarnish and light rust as it appears.

You should keep in mind that the steel needs to be more than dry to the touch for cleaning products to work effectively; therefore, if you are treating pool rails, you must ensure that the steel is completely dry before applying any cleaning products. For ideal results, railing systems should be allowed to dry for 48 hours before treating.