Care & Maintenance
Caring for your 4K Aluminum structure
Aluminum structures finished with powder coating require minimal maintenance. Routine, gentle cleaning keeps your structure looking its best and helps prevent damage from prolonged exposure to the elements.
Never use a pressure washer.
Its high-pressure stream can damage the paint finish. Also avoid power-cleaning tools, which can cause unintended harm to the structure.
Cleaning
How to clean your structure
Move personal belongings away from the structure so they don't get soaked.
Rinse with a regular garden hose and standard nozzle, using a downward motion so water runs off instead of collecting.
Mix warm water and a mild liquid detergent, such as a car-wash solution, in a bucket.
Gently wipe all surfaces with a sponge or microfiber cloth until the dirt is removed.
Rinse again to remove all soap residue.
Dry with a soft drying cloth, like one you'd use on a car, to prevent water spots.
What to use and what to avoid
Use
- Garden hose with a standard nozzle
- Warm water and mild liquid detergent, free of solvents and petroleum-based chemicals
- Sponge or microfiber cloth
- Soft drying cloth
Avoid
- Pressure washers and power-cleaning tools
- Abrasive cleaners or materials that scratch
- Steel wool, Scotch-Brite pads and hard-bristle brushes
- Detergents with solvents or petroleum-based chemicals. Tip: if a product requires protective gloves, it's likely unsuitable.
- Contact with chloride salts, sulfides, steel, iron and other rusting metals, which can cause discoloration, rusting, cracking, peeling and corrosion
Timing
When to clean
- Clean while the structure is in the shade, to avoid drastic temperature changes.
- Don't clean surfaces heated by direct sunlight: rapid chemical reactions can cause uneven results.
- Never clean in freezing conditions or when the metal temperature could cause condensation.
- Attend to spills, stains and early signs of mold or mildew as soon as possible; the sooner, the easier they are to remove. Regular soap and water is remarkably effective at breaking down oils and residues.
Frequency
How often to clean
Coastal installations
At least every 30–60 days
Within 5 miles of a saltwater coastline, bay, harbor or marine environment. Wash with fresh water, and more often in areas with heavy salt exposure.
Areas with tree sap or heavy pollen
Monthly
Monthly cleanings can prevent the build-up of contaminants.
Inland areas
Quarterly or twice a year
Further inland, this should be enough for optimal maintenance.
By product
Product-specific care
ATLAS Louver
Keep the gutters and drains clear, and inspect fasteners, brackets and pins once a year. During high-wind events, open the louvers to help reduce wind pressure and uplift forces, minimize potential damage, and protect the structural integrity of the system.
Awning arms
An annual inspection is recommended.
Maintenance and your warranty
The Wood Sublimation warranty is not valid if cleaning and maintenance are not carried out as recommended in these instructions, and the coastal finish warranty does not cover finish deterioration resulting from lack of routine cleaning and maintenance. Damage caused by salt accumulation, chemical exposure, abrasive cleaning methods, or neglect is excluded from warranty coverage.
View warranty information