Rust care and the warranty
An iron door that is finished well and cared for lasts a long time. Here is how to keep yours looking new in Houston weather, and what our warranty covers.
- Structure
- 25-year warranty
- Finish
- 2-year warranty
- Care
- A wipe every 3 to 6 months
Why iron rusts, and why ours is sealed
Steel rusts when bare metal meets water and air. Houston gives it plenty of both. The coating is what stands between the steel and the weather.
Our doors are coated, then sealed with two coats of clear polyurethane. As long as that coating stays whole, the steel underneath stays dry. Rust starts where the coating is chipped or scratched through.
Protect the coating, and the coating protects the door.
A simple care routine
These are the care steps we give every customer.
- Every 3 to 6 months, spray furniture polish such as Pledge on a sponge and wipe the metal. It protects the finish and lets you spot a problem early
- Never wash the door with tap water or a pressure washer. It harms the finish and voids the warranty
- Grease the hinges, or give them a spray of WD-40
- To clean the glass, open the glass latches and use a common glass cleaner. Check that the rubber seal sits right, then close the latches all the way so no water gets in
- If you see daylight under the door, raise the adjustable threshold with a screwdriver (turn the screws counterclockwise)
- Call us about any chip that reaches bare metal, before rust can start
A few minutes every few months keeps the coating whole.
The warranty
Our products are guaranteed to last. Every door comes with:
- Structure
- 25 years on the door itself, welds and materials included.
- Finish
- 2 years on the finish, against flaking or peeling with regular care.
- Glass and handle
- 1 year, including the double pane glass against fogging.
The warranty applies when we or our certified crew install the door. It does not cover damage from accidents, misuse, paint or chemicals, or washing with tap water. The written warranty for your order is the one that applies. If something looks wrong, call us and we come take a look.
Gates, railings and lanterns
Outdoor iron gets more sun and rain than a front door under a porch. The same routine applies: keep it clean, catch chips early and keep water from sitting on it. Railings carry 25 years on the structure and lanterns 15, each with 2 years on the finish.
Questions buyers ask
Will my iron door rust?
Steel rusts where bare metal meets water and air. Our doors are coated and sealed with two coats of clear polyurethane, so keep the coating whole and call us about chips early.
What warranty comes with an Amador door?
A 25-year structural warranty, 2 years on the finish and 1 year on the glass and handle.
Can I pressure wash an iron door?
No. Wipe the metal with furniture polish such as Pledge on a sponge every 3 to 6 months. A pressure washer or tap water harms the finish and voids the warranty.
What do I do about a chip in the coating?
Call us before rust starts. We answer the phone, and we tell you how to take care of it.