In outdoor landscape lighting design, CORTEN steel fixtures have become the favorite of many designers because of their unique texture and excellent performance. Its signature rust-red color not only blends perfectly with the natural environment, but also gives the space a unique flavor that has been precipitated over the years.

However, if you want to keep the weathering steel lamps and lanterns beautiful and functional for a long time, scientific and reasonable maintenance is indispensable. In this article, we will provide you with a comprehensive guide to the maintenance of metal lights and lanterns from initial care, daily cleaning to special environment response.

I. Initial Conservation and Natural Weathering Process

Importance of Natural Weathering

Methods to Accelerate Weathering (If Required)

• Increase the surface area: Remove the oil and impurities on the surface of the corten steel lights and lanterns by sandblasting or mechanical grinding, so that the fresh metal surface is exposed and the contact area with air and moisture is enhanced to accelerate the oxidation reaction.

• Adjustment of environmental temperature and humidity: Appropriate enhancement of environmental humidity and maintaining a suitable temperature can accelerate the rate of oxidation reaction, but we need to pay attention to avoid excessive humidity leading to localized rust.

• Regular water spraying: Simulate the rainfall environment, regularly spray water on the surface of corten steel path lights to promote the generation of oxide film. Care should be taken to avoid the accumulation of water to prevent the formation of pitting phenomenon.

• Choose the right environment: Place the lamps in a well-ventilated, pollution-free outdoor environment to help achieve uniform weathering.

Avoid Premature Exposure to Harmful Substances

• Stay away from corrosive chemicals: The surface of corten steel lighting should avoid contact with chemicals such as acids, alkalis, salts, paint solvents, etc. These substances will destroy the initial oxidized film, leading to local corrosion or uneven weathering.

• Prevent the accumulation of pollutants: clean up mud, oil, industrial dust and other pollutants in a timely manner. These substances are prone to adsorb moisture, causing localized accelerated corrosion and affecting the overall weathering effect.

• Avoid premature coating: before the completion of natural weathering, it is not recommended to paint anti-corrosion paint or other coatings in advance, otherwise it may lead to the coating and the substrate combination is not firm, and peeling, blistering and other problems occur later.

II. Regular Cleaning and Maintenance

Mild Cleaning Methods

• Use neutral soapy water: Use a soft cloth or sponge dipped in diluted neutral soapy water and gently wipe the surface of the garden metal lights. Do not use cleaners containing strong acids and alkali components to avoid corrosion of the steel surface.

• Prohibit the use of abrasive tools and high-pressure rinsing: Avoid the use of steel wire balls, sandpaper and other abrasive tools, do not use cleaning agents containing particles of powder. At the same time, prohibit the use of high-pressure water gun directly rinse the surface of the outdoor lighting to prevent damage to the oxide film or coating.

Debris and Stains Cleanup

• Regular removal of dust and leaves: It is recommended to check at least once a month to clean up the attached dust, leaves, bird droppings and other organic matter in a timely manner. Use a soft-bristle brush or rag to gently sweep or wipe.

• Handling oil stains: When oil stains are found, use clean paper towels or cloths to absorb excess grease, and then wipe repeatedly with neutral soapy water. If necessary, a small amount of alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) can be used for local wiping, but avoid large areas. Rinse thoroughly with water after cleaning to prevent detergent residue.

Damage Inspection and Treatment

• Check rust and structural wear: carefully observe the surface of the outdoor lamps and lanterns to see if there are large rust spots, blistering or peeling phenomenon, while checking the connections, welds, bases and other vulnerable parts for loosening, cracking.

• Repair scratches and damage: for minor scratches, use fine sandpaper to gently sand, and then make up the anti-rust paint; if there is a deeper gap or damage, you should contact a professional to repair in a timely manner, to prevent the expansion of the scope of corrosion!

III. Maintenance Points in Special Environments

Coastal Areas

• Respond to salt spray erosion: Regularly wipe the surface of the bollard light with neutral soapy water and a soft cloth to remove salt spray and salt deposits. Avoid using abrasive cleaners or high-pressure water guns to prevent damage to the protective rust layer. After encountering storms or seawater splashes, promptly rinse the fixture with clean water to prevent long-term adhesion of salt.

• Ensure smooth drainage: Ensure that the bottom of the metal lamp drains smoothly to avoid water and salt buildup and reduce the risk of localized corrosion. For extremely high salt spray environments, special clear protective coatings such as Everbrite, CT - 7571, etc. can be used to lock in the desired rust color, insulate from salt spray and moisture, and slow down deep corrosion. It is recommended that the surface be inspected once a month and any abnormal corrosion, spalling or rust damage be dealt with promptly.

Highly Polluted Areas

• Strengthen the cleaning frequency: use neutral soapy water and a soft brush to clean the surface of the corten steel path lights, to remove acid rain and atmospheric pollutants residues, to prevent harmful chemicals to accelerate the deterioration of the rust layer.

• Choose cleaning products carefully: the use of acidic or alkaline cleaners is strictly prohibited to avoid damage to the protective rust layer of weathering steel. In heavily polluted or acid rain prone areas, the use of acid-resistant transparent coatings is recommended to further minimize the erosion of harmful substances on steel. At the same time, try to avoid installing corten steel lights directly in areas where industrial emissions are concentrated, acid rain is frequent, or rainwater from buildings collects.

Extreme Weather Conditions

• Winter maintenance (snow, ice, melting salt): Clean up snow and frost in time with a soft brush or broom to avoid long-term accumulation of snow leading to uneven rust layer or localized corrosion. Prohibit the use of metal tools to scrape snow to prevent scratching the surface. Avoid spreading snow-melting salts (such as sodium chloride, calcium chloride) near the outdoor corten light, if it can not be avoided, they should be rinsed thoroughly with water immediately after contact. Ensure that there is no accumulation of water at the bottom and around the luminaire to minimize the damage to the steel caused by freeze-thaw cycles.
• Summer Maintenance (strong light, high humidity): Regularly clean up fallen leaves, mud, sand and other organic materials to prevent them from adsorbing moisture and causing localized rust or color difference. Choose a well-ventilated and easy-to-dry location to install the outdoor lighting to avoid long-term exposure to humidity that affects the uniformity of the rust layer. High temperature and high humidity may lead to cracks or localized peeling of the rust layer, so it is necessary to check the surface regularly and deal with the problems in time.