# How to Maintain a Composite Screening Kit?

Guide pro pour entretenir un kit d’occultation composite : nettoyage à l’eau, inspection des fixations, précautions haute pression. Conseils B2B Paysapro.
For distributors, merchants, and landscapers, a well-maintained composite screening kit retains its performance and aesthetic over time. Paysapro is the official European distributor of the brands Redcinha®, Delclo®, and elipsun®, supporting professionals with over 15 years of proven composite expertise and over 5000 referenced projects across Europe. > 📌 **Key Points** — Clean with water using a soft brush, without aggressive products | Maintain a distance of 50 cm and a maximum pressure of 80–100 bars when using a pressure washer | Inspect and tighten fixtures at least once a year ## Understanding the Maintenance of a Composite Screening Kit **Composite wood** combines wood fibers and polymer resins. Its formulation provides a **natural aesthetic**, **UV resistance**, and **minimal maintenance**. ### Acceptable Maintenance Practices - **Water Cleaning**: garden hose or lukewarm water with **mild soap**. - **Soft Brush** (nylon, soft bristles) to dislodge dust and deposits. - **Anti-moss** and **mild degreaser** suitable for composites for stubborn stains. ### Practices to Avoid - **Bleach** and **acidic** products: risks of discoloration or corrosion of fixtures. - **Aggressive metal brushes** and **steam cleaners**: scratches, local heating, micro-cracks. - Concentrated jets **too close** to the **fixtures** and **joints**. ## Operational Maintenance Plan Adapt the frequency based on the exposure context to prevent soiling and mechanical stress. ### Routine Cleaning - **Rinsing** with clear water to remove dust and particles. - If stains persist, use diluted **mild soap**, moving along the **grain of the boards**. - **Abundant rinsing**, air drying. - **Pressure washer**: maintain a distance of **50 cm**, maximum pressure of **80–100 bars**, avoiding direct jets on the **fixtures**. ### Stain Cleaning - **Moss/lichens**: soft brush + **anti-moss** for composite materials, then rinse. - **Grease/oil**: use a **mild degreaser**, sponge, rinse. - **Saline/whitish deposits**: rinse with fresh water, use compatible **anti-lime** if necessary, then rinse again. ### Useful Environment and Cleaning Frequencies - **Urban**: 1 annual cleaning is sufficient to limit dull appearance. - **Rural/Wooded**: 2 cleanings per year to manage **pollen**, **leaves**, and **moss**. - **Seaside**: 3 to 4 freshwater rinses annually to remove **spray** and preserve the **fixtures**. ## According to Your Situation | Situation | Recommended Material | Reason | |--------------------------|---------------------------|---------------------------------------------| | Tight Budget | **PVC** | Low acquisition cost, basic maintenance with regular cleaning. | | High Exposure to Weather | **Composite Wood** | **UV** and moisture resistance, **minimal maintenance**, and aesthetic stability. | | Short Project Duration | **Composite Wood** | Simple and quick installation, easy cleaning and maintenance. | | Marine Environment | **Composite Wood** | Better sbe;plan for regular rinsing and accessory control. | | Public Community | **Composite Wood** | **Durability** and low maintenance to reduce recurring costs. | | Renovation on Existing | **Composite Wood** | Integrates with rigid panels, aesthetic upgrade without major work. | | Traveling Landscaper | **Composite Wood** | Standardized maintenance, minimal consumables, and quick interventions. | ## Maintenance with Paysapro Ranges The same good practices apply to the blades and systems distributed by Paysapro. - **Redcinha®**: co-extruded composite with **minimal maintenance**; prioritize water and **mild soap**, avoid aggressive products. - **Delclo®**: composite & PVC screening blades for rigid and custom panels; regular cleaning and **high resistance to UV and weather**. - **elipsun®**: **solar fencing** solutions; apply water cleaning principles and fixture inspections. ## Control and Replacement Procedures An annual visual inspection limits heavy interventions and secures wind resistance. ### Targeted Inspection - **Composite Slats**: look for cracks, deformations, dull areas; replace the concerned slat if necessary. - **Fixtures** (clips, rails, slats): check for corrosion, loosening, breakage; **tighten** or **replace**. - **Rigid Panels and Posts**: check alignment, mesh tension, stability. - **Aluminum Joints**: check for oxidation; clean with a soft brush, control the play. ### Replacing a Slat - **Removal**: extract the damaged slat by disengaging it from the mesh or slats. - **Reference**: keep the brand, model, and color for **aesthetic consistency**. - **Installation**: insert the new slat, check the fit, and **tighten** adjacent fixtures. ## Common Mistakes to Avoid - Using **bleach** or **acids**: color alteration and corrosion of fixtures. - Scrubbing with **aggressive metal brushes**: scratches, micro-cracks. - **Neglecting fixtures**: loosening and lifting of slats in strong winds. - **Pressure washing too close**: respect **50 cm** and a maximum of **80–100 bars**. - Allowing **moss** and **salt** to accumulate: clean periodically, especially in wooded and coastal areas. > For a landscaper on a tight schedule: prepare a simple cleaning kit (water, soft brush, neutral pH soap) and plan an inspection of fixtures at the end of the project. > For a public community in a coastal area: schedule a quarterly freshwater rinse and semi-annual check of the rails and clips to limit corrosion. > If the site is very exposed to wind: add a tightening check of fixtures after windy episodes and verify the fit of the slats. ## FAQ ### Can a pressure washer be used? Yes, with **precautions**: maintain a distance of at least **50 cm** between the nozzle and the slats, limit to **80–100 bars**, and avoid direct jets on the **fixtures** and **joints**. ### How to treat moss or lichen on composite? Gently brush, apply a compatible **anti-moss** for **composite wood**, allow to act as instructed, then rinse thoroughly. Avoid bleach and metal brushes. ### Can composite be painted or stained? No. **Through-colored** slats do not absorb finishes, and paint does not adhere long-term. Simple cleaning suffices to preserve appearance. ### My installation is near the sea: what specific actions should I take? Rinse with **freshwater** multiple times a year to remove **spray**, check and **tighten** the **fixtures**, and remove **saline deposits** with a compatible cleaner if necessary. ### What to check during an annual inspection? Slats (cracks, deformations), **fixtures** (loosening, corrosion), rigid panels and posts (alignment, stability), **aluminum joints** (oxidation). Replace any defective parts and systematically retighten. ### How to replace a damaged slat? Remove the slat, identify and order the appropriate **reference** to maintain the color, insert the new slat, and **check the tightening** of adjacent components.