Frame Material Properties
Aluminium is a light and tough metal with an excellent strength to weight ratio and corrosion resistance - making it an ideal material for
outdoor furniture. The aluminium is coated with an electro-statically applied, powder coat finish. The electro-static application method
ensures 100% coverage of the metal’s surface area and provides a consistent and tough finish that far exceeds other conventional paint
finishes. The resulting finish is knock and scratch resistant, impervious to moisture, highly resistant to corrosion and easy to clean.
The process of powder coating involves a lengthy pre-treatment process. First, the material is thoroughly sanded with abrasive paper
much in the same way that wood is sanded. Then the frames and components are immersed in a series of chemical baths to clean and
degrease the metal before the corrosion resistance of the aluminium is enhanced by pre-treating with a chrome conversion coating that
deposits a thin layer of chrome on the surface. The powder coat (normally this is Polyester) is then applied using electrostatic spraying
equipment. A thin layer of powder is deposited over the entire frame before the frame is put into an oven at approximately 200°C (392°F)
for 15-20 minutes, depending on the size of the component.
The advantage of using powder coat over a paint finish is that the coating is harder and can be thicker than that of paint. Also, there
are no solvents involved. The disadvantage of powder coat over paint finishing is that powder coat is very difficult to repair if it becomes
damaged. It is not possible to perfectly match the appearance of powder coat with a repair made using a liquid paint.
Cleaning
Powder coated aluminium should require very little maintenance, other than to gently clean with water and a mild liquid detergent to
remove any dirt or splashes. A microfibre cloth or sponge should be used to wipe over the surfaces of the furniture. Removing surface
water with a drying cloth (like you would use on your car) will help avoid water spots. Avoid using any abrasive cleaning agents or
materials, as these could mark the surface of the powder coat. Do not use steel wool or Scotchbrite on powder coated surfaces.
Woven Material Properties
Gloster woven furniture is made from a polyethylene (PE) plastic material. Practical and soft to the touch, this material has many benefits
including high suppleness, tear resistance, UV resistance and weather resistance. The coloured material is extruded through a shaped
die to form the final fibre shape. The finished extruded and through-dyed wicker is completely weatherproof as well as being colourfast,
extremely hard wearing and easy to clean. The wicker is resistant to chlorine, salt water, tanning lotions and oils. Gloster uses a more
textured, thicker type of wicker than most other manufacturers. Although this wicker is harder to weave, it is stronger, more resistant to
tension, tearing and splitting, wears better and gives a more natural feel to the product.
The basic structure of a woven item is made from a fully welded, powder-coated aluminium frame. Once welded, the entire frame is
electro-statically powder coated in a tough, smooth finish that matches the colour of the wicker. This way, the frame is fully protected
against corrosion and becomes virtually invisible once it has been woven over. Woven furniture can be left outside all year round and
is able to withstand temperatures from -20°C to +55°C (-4°F to 131°F). When very cold, the weave will become stiffer than normal and
when very hot, the weave will become more elastic. However, it will always revert to its normal elasticity, once the ambient temperature
stabilises.
Cleaning
We recommend that woven furniture is regularly cleaned using a solution of 1:16 mild detergent to lukewarm water (less than 100°F/40°C).
Thoroughly soak the wicker with the cleaning solution and gently agitate with a soft bristle brush to remove any ingrained dirt. Once
suitably cleaned, wash away the cleaning solution using cold water. A pressure hose on a low setting is acceptable to use on woven
furniture, but avoid any teak components, as the high pressure can erode the surface of the timber. It is important to remove all traces
of foam from the wicker, as any left-over foam will leave a residue in the gaps in-between the weave which can then attract dirt. Dry any
splashes on metal or teak frames to avoid water stains.
Repairing
Scratch marks or abrasion to the edges of the fibre can be repaired by very briefly and carefully applying heat (i.e. the flame of a cigarette
lighter) to the affected area and rubbing along the length of the fibre with a piece of hard cardboard to restore a smooth edge. This can
be a tricky procedure to perfect, so we suggest you try a couple of test runs on an area of wicker that is hidden from view – i.e. on the
underside of the furniture. If fibres are accidentally cut or broken, a piece of furniture can generally be repaired successfully by removing
the broken section of wicker and carefully weaving in a new strip.
