You opted for our table legs in raw or powder-coated steel?
You may be wondering how to clean and maintain them so that they last over time.
But first, let's ask the right question: what is the difference between raw steel and powder coated?
Raw steel is a metal that has not been painted or treated, so it remains in its original color, anthracite gray.
Powder-coated steel, for its part, has been treated by applying a fine resin-based powder. We then put the piece of metal in the oven, which will have the effect of sticking the powder. We then obtain a finish or a color different from the raw material. This allows not only to personalize the steel, but also to protect it from corrosion.
For maintenance, these two finishes have their specificities. We teach you, in this guide, to maintain your steel table legs like a real pro! Here we go, follow the guide! 🤓
How to maintain your raw finish table legs?
Maintaining your raw steel table legs indoors
Indoors, raw steel is protected from climatic variations.
However, as a raw material, it requires regular maintenance.
To do this, you can apply colorless oil, approximately once a week.
There is a special metal oil called jade oil.
Please note, take care to buy colorless jade oil, to prevent it from changing the color of the steel. Just as with wood, this helps protect and nourish the material, while erasing stains and micro scratches. ✨
Maintaining your raw steel table legs outdoors
Raw steel table legs are less suitable for outdoor use.
Indeed, this material is rather sensitive to bad weather.
That being said, if you still want to install a table with raw steel legs in your garden, you can apply rust inhibitor regularly to prevent its appearance.
Rustproofing should be applied between once a year and once every 1 years, depending on the climate in your region. 🌧️
Note that you can also apply jade oil.
Also note that you can use it with anti-rust, following the order indicated on the products.
Finally, during the winter we recommend that you put your table in a protected shelter. You will greatly limit the risks of seeing it deteriorate!
Maintaining your raw steel table legs by the sea
At the risk of repeating ourselves, it is recommended to choose a powder-coated, anti-corrosion and anti-UV finish for your outdoor furniture, especially if you live by the sea. 🌞 However, if you still want raw steel legs , do not hesitate to pass rustproofing every year, or even twice a year.
Keep a close eye on the different parts of the furniture to check for rust. And since you don't change a winning team, you can also apply colorless oil once a week to nourish the metal.
How to clean raw steel table legs?
Whether your table is indoors or outdoors, you will need to wash it from time to time.
For simple cleaning, you can use soap and water. Black soap or Marseille soap are suitable for this type of use. Put the black soap-water mixture on a microfiber cloth then clean the steel legs.
With a second dry microfiber cloth, wipe the feet carefully to avoid any risk of rust.
Furthermore, if you happen to stain your table legs during your meals, try to wipe them straight away so that the stain does not soak in. You can put your soapy water in a spray bottle to always have it on hand. This will be very useful to you in this type of situation! 👍
How to remove a stain from raw steel?
Finally, if despite everything, you discover dirt on your table legs, you can remove it using a lubricant found in all garages: WD-40!
Spray it and rub with a cloth or the yellow side of a sponge.
Avoid detergent products and glass products, which are too corrosive and could damage your table legs.
We will see a little further on what to do if, despite all these precautions, you notice rust stains. 😭
How to maintain your powder-coated table legs?
Maintaining your powder-coated steel table legs indoors
As we told you in our article on the DIY outdoor bench, this finish requires no maintenance.
And yes, you can relax, you don't have to use any rust inhibitor or oil on this finish! 😴 This is already designed to resist UV and corrosion, so there is no maintenance to carry out.
Let's move directly to cleaning, because your table is, on the other hand, exposed to dust and various unfortunate stains!
How to clean your powder-coated steel table legs inside?
As with the raw finish legs, the powder-coated finish must be cleaned with mildly corrosive products.
Forget acetone, hydrogen peroxide, household alcohol and even vinegar. It would be better use soapy water or dishwashing detergent.
You can also use a window cleaner, as long as it does not contain alcohol. You can then spray the product you have chosen on a soft cloth and clean your table legs by rubbing gently.
Avoid anything too abrasive, like the scratchy side of the sponge, magic erasers, or worse, steel wool.
This will seriously damage the powder-coated paint. Concerning the frequency, you can carry out this little cleaning as soon as you clean in your room, to avoid dust. 🧹
Cleaning your powder-coated steel table legs outdoors and by the sea
Despite the fact that powder-coated steel requires no maintenance, you can of course clean the legs and the entire table regularly, if leaves land on them for example.
But concretely, in general, cleaning once or twice a year is enough.
So, even at the seaside, you can get by with minimal maintenance, as steel is such a durable material! 💪 Remember to bring your table inside in winter, so that it remains protected from rain, snow or even hail.
How to remove a rust stain from steel?
If, despite everything, after a few years of use you notice rust stains on your table legs, don't panic! 😱 There are some tips to make them disappear. We can cite for example:
- The mixture of white Meudon and household alcohol: mix a tablespoon of household alcohol with Meudon white, until a thick paste forms. Leave on the rust stain. The paste obtained must have dried completely, you can then polish the surface with a microfiber square.
- Soda crystals: Before you start, wear rubber gloves. Then, place a few soda crystals on a damp sponge. Then scrub the rust with the sponge, then rinse and dry thoroughly.
- Car polish: You will easily find them in auto centers or in certain supermarkets. Rub the rusty part vigorously with a cloth soaked in polish. When finished, wipe with a clean cloth.
- Citric acid: you can use it diluted in half a liter of lukewarm water. Moisten the rust stain and rub vigorously with a cloth, or better, with a brush.
- Baking soda : mix a tablespoon of baking soda with a few drops of water to form a thick paste. Apply it to the rust and leave to act for 15 to 20 minutes. Then scrub with a brush and rinse thoroughly. Finish by drying the surface.
How to polish steel table legs?
If you want your raw steel table legs to shine brightly, you can use table oil on a cloth and rub them abundantly. It is also possible to use products specifically designed for this material. For powder-coated steel, you can also use table oil on a microfiber cloth and rub vigorously. This technique has the advantage of preventing the formation of stains. That being said, you can get by with one or two cleanings per year, this is still enough to maintain the shine of the powder-coated steel! ✨
Finally, remember that to maintain steel table legs, it is important to take into account their finish and their location.
- The raw finish table legs, that is to say without paint or varnish, are more suitable for interiors. They only require regular cleaning with soapy water. If you install them outside, you will need to regularly clean them and apply rustproofing. You can also apply colorless oil to protect them.
- Powder-coated table legs simply require regular cleaning when indoors. Outdoors they are very weather resistant. So you can afford to clean them very occasionally.
- If you still notice rust stains, you can apply Meudon white, polish, soda crystals, bicarbonate or citric acid diluted in water.
We hope this article has been useful to you. Don't miss this one on our 5 dining tables with steel legs! 🤩
See you soon at Ripaton!