Maintain the Beauty
All exterior building materials require cleaning. We recommend a basic cleaning with a composite deck cleaner or combination of soap, hot water and a soft bristle brush. Ideal times to clean are just after installation and then on a semi-annual basis (typically spring or fall is most conducive with the weather). This will help to maintain the beauty of your Trex® fence.
Trex® Product Cleaning Guide
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Dirt and Debris | Clean the fence to remove dirt and debris. Soap, water, and a soft brush are all that is needed. |
| Chalk Markings | Most colored chalk lines are permanent. As an alternative to regular chalk, use either baby powder or Irwin Strait-Line Dust-off marking chalk available at www.irwin.com. |
| Water Spots, Leaf Staining and Wood Tannins | Tannin leaching occurs naturally in Trex® and all wood based products. Allow at least 12 weeks of normal weathering for the staining to become less visible. This process may be hastened through the use of a product containing oxalic acid or phosphoric acid, commonly known as a deck brightener.* |
| Scuffs & Abrasions | Scuffs and abrasions can fade or disappear naturally after 12-16 weeks of weathering. If a reduction in the visibility of a scuff or abrasion is desired before the fence weathers, WD-40 can be applied as a temporary solution. Apply a small amount of WD-40 to a rag and lightly rub it into the affected area. Weathering can be accelerated with a product containing oxalic acid or phosphoric acid, commonly known as a deck brightener.* |
| Rust Stains, Ground-In Dirt and Grime and Pigment Staining | Use a cleaning product containing oxalic or phosphoric acid, such as deck brightener, to lighten or remove rust or dirt. The product may need to sit on a stain 10-15 minutes before rinsing. * |
| Oil and Grease Stains | Rinse the stain with hot water as soon as possible. Use Pour-N-Restore (www.pour-n-restore.com) as directed for any remaining staining (test in a small area first as the product may remove some of the colorant from the fencing surface). |
| Mold & Mildew | If your area is prone to mold and mildew growth, semi-annual cleaning (typically Spring and Fall) of your fence is important to prevent the build-up of pollen and other debris that can support the growth. Use conventional fence washes or cleaners that contain sodium hypochlorite (bleach) and detergent (refer to the Trex Mold Technical Bulletin for specific recommendations). * |
| Pressure Washer | Trex does not recommend the use of a pressure washer. The use of a pressure washer on fence surface could damage the fencing and will void the warranty with respect to any condition caused by the pressure washing. |
| Sanding | Trex Company does not recommend sanding. Sanding will change the appearance of the surface of Trex® material and will void the warranty. |
| Disposal | Trex® products should be disposed with normal construction debris or household waste. Do not burn Trex® products. |
* Use of products containing bleach or oxalic/phosphoric acid will lighten the surface of Trex®. Use in an inconspicuous area to determine if you like the effect. Neither product will affect the structural integrity of Trex® composite fencing.
