Maintaining powder-coated aluminium screens and facades: a practical guide

Powder-coated aluminium is one of the most durable exterior finishes available — but like any building element, it performs best with a basic maintenance programme. This guide covers what to expect from a powder coat finish, what voids warranties, and how to keep TILT screens and facades looking sharp for the long term.

What to expect from powder coat

A correctly specified and applied architectural-grade powder coat finish (Qualicoat Class 1 or 2) will maintain colour and gloss within acceptable tolerances for 10–15 years under normal South African conditions. Coastal and industrial environments accelerate degradation — if your project is within 1km of the sea, specify Qualicoat Class 2 as a minimum.

Common early indicators that a finish is underperforming: chalking (white residue on the surface), colour fading beyond acceptable tolerances, bubbling or peeling. These are manufacturing or specification issues — not maintenance failures. Contact your supplier within the first three years if you observe these.

Routine maintenance

The single most effective maintenance action is regular washing. Salt, dust, industrial fallout and organic matter (bird droppings, tree sap) all degrade powder coat if left on the surface. A simple wash schedule:

• Coastal and industrial environments: Wash every 3 months with fresh water and a mild detergent. Rinse thoroughly.
• Inland suburban environments: Wash every 6 months or after extended dry periods when dust accumulation is visible.
• All environments: Remove bird droppings and organic matter as soon as practicable — these are acidic and will etch the finish if left.

Use a soft cloth or brush. Do not use abrasive pads, wire brushes, or solvent-based cleaners on powder-coated surfaces.

What voids a warranty

Most powder coat warranties — including TILT's — are voided by the following:

• Mechanical damage (scratches, impact marks)
• Application of incompatible cleaning products or solvents
• Contact with cement, mortar, plaster or lime wash during construction — always protect screens and facades during adjacent trades
• Modification or drilling of the surface post-installation without approved repair coating

Finish and colour selection

Choosing the right colour and finish class from the outset reduces long-term maintenance requirements. Browse the full TILT powder coat colour range including our standard, premium and custom finish options. For coastal and high-UV environments, anodised aluminium panels may be a more appropriate specification.

Touch-up and repair

Minor scratches and chips can be touched up with matched powder coat in a rattle-can aerosol, available from the original powder coater. For significant damage to ACP panels or perforated panels, contact TILT — we can assess whether the panel requires refurbishment or replacement.

Our warranty and care guides are available to download from the Specifiers Portal. For project-specific advice, get in touch with our team.