Pool chemical pitting, white spots and bleached straps

Poolside furniture takes a double hit in Tucson: desert sun plus chlorinated splash that dries on the frame and straps. Pitting or white spots on the finish usually mean a strip and refinish (about $100 to $195 per chair at typical prices); bleached, stiff straps mean a restrap ($80 to $145 per piece). A fresh-water rinse is the cheapest prevention there is.

Check this first

1. Compare pool-side and far-side pieces. If the chairs nearest the water look worse than the ones by the house, splash is a factor.
2. Rub a white spot. If it wipes off, it is mineral or chemical residue on the surface; wash it. If it is rough, raised or leaves a pit, the finish has been breached.
3. Look at the strap color on the pool side. Bleached, blotchy or stiff straps have taken chemical as well as sun.
4. Check what you clean with. Winston and Brown Jordan both say not to use chlorine-based cleaners on their furniture or on woven vinyl.

What is usually wrong

The refinish figure combines typical stripping ($25 to $100 a chair) and powder coat ($75 to $95 a chair) from the pricing page.

Why it happens

When chlorinated water splashes onto furniture and evaporates, it leaves concentrated residue behind. Aluminum’s natural oxide layer resists a lot, but chlorides can pit it where the coating has a chip or a thin spot. Tropitone’s care guide warns that in indoor pool areas chlorides accumulate on the finish and lead to finish failure. Harsh cleaners, chlorine and salt water also speed the breakdown of vinyl straps, on top of the UV and heat Tucson supplies.

What the repair involves

For the finish: strip back to clean aluminum where it is pitted, dress the pits, powder coat and bake. See powder coating and refinishing. For straps and slings: a full restrap or new slings, usually done after the frame is coated since the fabric has to come off anyway.

Prevention

• Rinse the furniture nearest the pool with fresh water, especially after a pool party.
• Wash with mild soap and water. Tropitone suggests about a quarter cup of mild liquid soap per gallon of lukewarm water.
• No chlorine-based cleaners on vinyl or the frame.
• Wax the frame if your maker recommends it: Tropitone and Brown Jordan do; Winston says no wax on textured finishes.
• Use a vinyl protectant on straps.

When to call

Call when spots are rough or pitted, when bubbles appear, or when pool-side straps are stiff. Send photos of the worst pool-side piece and one from away from the pool for comparison.