Australian Made, Owned & Operated

Product Care

Pool Perf® asks very little of you. A hose-down and the occasional wash is genuinely most of it - but the little that is required is what keeps your 10-year warranty valid, so it’s worth five minutes of reading.

Rinse it

Fresh water, periodically. That’s most of the job.

Wash it occasionally

Warm water and mild detergent, soft cloth or sponge.

Never scour it

No wire wool, steel scourers, abrasive pads or solvents.

Check the gate

Confirm it still self-closes and self-latches from every position.

How often should you clean it?

It depends entirely on where you live and what your fence is exposed to.

EnvironmentSuggested frequencyWhat to focus on
Inland / suburbanEvery 3–6 monthsRinse with fresh water; wash with mild detergent if needed.
Coastal (within 5km of surf)Every 4–8 weeksSalt build-up is the main issue. Rinse thoroughly, including sheltered areas rain doesn’t reach.
Bore or hard water irrigationEvery 4–8 weeksHighest risk of mineral deposits. Follow the mineral-deposit guide below and adjust spray heads.
Pool splash zoneAs part of your normal washRinse chlorinated splash off rather than letting it dry on the surface.
Never use these. Acetone, thinners, turpentine, white spirit, chlorine, caustic cleaners, acids, abrasive pads, wire wool or steel scourers. They will discolour or permanently damage the powder coating - and using them voids the warranty.

Fence care guide

White or chalky deposits on your fence?

If sections of your fence are going white or chalky - especially on darker colours - this is not a fault with your powder coating or your fencing. Here’s exactly what causes it, and how to fix it.

The causeMineral deposits from hard or bore water
Minerals involvedCalcium, magnesium, iron & dissolved salts
Common triggersIrrigation, reticulation & bore water systems
Most visible onDarker colours - black, charcoal, monument

When hard or bore water hits your fence, the water evaporates but leaves its dissolved minerals behind. Over time these accumulate into a white, chalky film. It’s usually concentrated on the lower half of the panel - exactly where the sprinklers were hitting. The darker your colour, the more obvious the contrast. It is purely a surface deposit and causes no structural damage whatsoever.

Before & after - from our own place

Pool Perf fence with white chalky mineral deposits from bore water irrigation

Before. Three years of mineral build-up from bore water irrigation, concentrated on the lower half where the reticulation spray was hitting.

The same Pool Perf fence fully restored to deep black after cleaning

After. The same fence, fully restored after three rounds of cleaning. Deep colour completely recovered, no damage to the powder coating.

That result took three cleaning sessions because it had been left for three years. Deal with it sooner and one or two is usually enough. Don’t be discouraged if you need to repeat - persistence pays off.

What you’ll need

  • A dual-sided non-abrasive scrubber - a Scrub Mommy® by Scrub Daddy works well. Both the textured scrubber side and the soft foam side are scratch-free and safe on powder coating. Available at most supermarkets and hardware stores.
  • White vinegar, warm water and dishwashing liquid. Mix 50/50 warm water to vinegar with a good squirt of detergent in a bucket.
  • A polymer sealant such as Bowden’s Own Fully Slick - Australian made. Misted onto the clean, dry fence it creates a hydrophobic barrier that slows future build-up.
Bowden's Own Fully Slick polymer sealant

Step by step

  1. Mix your cleaning solution

    In a bucket, combine equal parts warm water and white vinegar (50/50), then add a generous squirt of dishwashing liquid. The mild acid in the vinegar breaks down calcium and mineral deposits effectively without harming your powder coat finish.

    Morning Fresh dishwashing liquid recommended

  2. Scrub with a Scrub Mommy®

    Apply the solution to the affected areas and scrub. Either side of the sponge is safe on powder coating - the scrubber side for stubborn deposits, the soft side for lighter build-up. Work in circular motions, and let the solution sit on tough spots for a minute before scrubbing.

    Both sides are scratch-free and safe on powder coat

  3. Rinse thoroughly with clean water

    Rinse the whole area well with fresh water, making sure all loosened mineral residue and cleaning solution is completely washed away.

  4. Repeat if needed - be persistent

    Depending on how long the deposits have been building up, you may need to repeat steps 1–3 several times. Older, heavier build-up simply takes more passes. There is no risk to the powder coating from repeating this - keep going until the surface is completely clean.

  5. Let it dry completely

    Allow the fence to dry fully - ideally leave it until the following day. Once dry, inspect in good light to confirm no white residue remains before the final step.

  6. Apply a polymer sealant as a fine mist

    Once clean and dry, lightly mist the surface with a polymer sealant such as Bowden’s Own Fully Slick. It creates a hydrophobic layer that makes it much harder for minerals to bond in future. Spray on as a fine mist and leave it - do not wipe it off. Don’t apply so much that it runs; a light, even coat is all you need.

    Australian-made. Reapply after each clean.

Never use wire wool, steel scourers, abrasive pads or harsh chemical cleaners on a powder-coated fence. They will permanently scratch and dull the finish.
This is not a product fault or a warranty issue. Mineral deposits from water are an environmental factor that affects every outdoor surface exposed to hard or bore water. If you have irrigation, consider adjusting the spray heads so they aren’t hitting the fence - the less water drying on it, the slower deposits accumulate.

Keeping your warranty valid

Pool Perf® carries a 10-year warranty against manufacturing defects, in addition to your rights under Australian Consumer Law. A few things worth knowing:

  • Using harsh chemicals or abrasives on the coating voids the warranty.
  • The warranty doesn’t apply where the fence is installed within 1km of the sea or within 1.5m of the pool splash zone.
  • Normal weathering - gradual loss of gloss and colour - isn’t covered. Dark colours show it more than light ones.
  • Hinges and locks are covered by their own manufacturers’ warranties.
  • Keeping up the maintenance in the warranty terms is a condition of cover.

Anything you’re unsure about, your local Trade Partner or head office can talk you through it.

Talk it through with a Pool Perf® specialist

Thirty minutes on the phone, free, no obligation. Sizes, compliance, gates, colours - and which accredited Trade Partner covers your area. Pick a day and time that suits you.

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