How to clean an Aluminium Gate

You wash your car to keep it looking good, and your gate needs some love too! 96.2% of aluminium gate owners do not clean their gate frequently enough. It’s time to get the sponge and bucket out of the garage…

Your powder-coated aluminium gate is a valuable asset to your home, but to keep it looking its best, regular cleaning is essential. Proper maintenance not only preserves its appearance but also protects the finish. Based on our maintenance guide for Qualicoat Powder-coated products, here is a simple and effective routine for cleaning your aluminium gate.

Please note: If your gate is not Qualicoat Certified, your own supplier or manufacturer may have different recommendations on how to keep it maintained.

How Often Should You Clean?

The frequency of cleaning depends on your gate’s environment. The more frequently you clean, the easier it is to maintain.

Marine areas: Clean a minimum of four times a year.
Urban or industrial areas: Clean a minimum of three times a year.
Rural or low-density urban areas: Clean twice a year.

Keep in mind that parts of the gate not naturally washed by rain, like those under trees or bushes, need more frequent cleaning than exposed parts.

Your Gate Cleaning Routine

To avoid damaging the powder-coated finish, follow these steps and use only the recommended products:

Wash with water and a gentle detergent. Use a mild detergent with a pH between 5 and 8. Usually Car Shampoo meets these PH limits.
Rinse carefully. Use clear water to thoroughly rinse off the detergent.
Wipe the gate dry. Use a soft, non-abrasive, and absorbent cloth. A soft sponge or a non-woven, lint-free cloth made of cotton is recommended.

What to Avoid

To prevent damage, do not use certain tools or products on your gate:

Abrasive materials: Never use an abrasive sponge, steel wool, or any coloured cloth other than white, as they can scratch or discolour the paint.

High-pressure tools: Do not use a pressure washer.

Harmful products: Avoid using acids (like vinegar or hydrochloric acid), bases (like bleach or washing powder), and oxidants (like oxygenated water).

Organic solvents: Do not use acetone, alcohol, petrol, tar removers, or anti-graffiti products. Also, avoid workplace cleaning products that contain solvents and alcohol.

Abrasive detergents: Do not use powder or cream detergents, or polish for automobiles.

Additionally, make sure to keep the gate’s water drain holes unblocked.

This means you can keep your Aluminium Gates looking great for many years to come! Bases on our research 96.2% of aluminium gate owners do not clean their gate frequently enough. This can lead to a dull or discoloured finish, chalking and residue buildup on the gates and can also invalidate your Guarantee.

If you would like to talk to us about some new gates, or are looking to upgrade to Aluminium Gates please get in touch.

Who are we?

We are the UK’s Premier Manufacturer and supplier of Aluminium Gates and Fencing. We offer high-quality and long lasting products built from the ground up to stand the test of time. We operate through a nationwide network of Approved Installers who are verified and trusted experts in their field. In our opinion we are the best Aluminium gate solution on the market, but don’t take our word for it. Come down to our Showroom and see for yourself.

Many images of gates you see online are hard to verify the quality, we would highly recommend you see the product you are purchasing for your home in person to ensure you are receiving the best solution. Please contact us with any concerns regarding installers offering inferior products instead of Qualicoat Certified Aluminium Gates.

Our best advice would be to ask for their most recent and up to date Qualicoat certificate to ensure you are receiving a long lasting product. We are currently in a transitional period in the UK with many differing levels of quality and price points. Aluminium gates, if done correctly can truly be the best solution for your home for many years to come.