Caring For Your Fibre Cement Table

 It is an extremely durable material and is suitable for use as an outdoor table. It is though always important to understand how it will handle the elements and long term exposure and what reasonable weathering looks like. The table will have irregularities and subtle variations in colour, texture and porosity. You will also notice lines, that look like cracks, cavities and other curing variances that will occur initially and over time which is very normal for concrete surfaces. These variations are part of the industrial look of the table and make each table unique without compromising its performance. GFRC tables will still require regular maintenance and cleaning to keep it looking good. It is important to familiarise yourself with the care and maintenance tips.

Sealant Application

To prevent heavy stains, from oils and acidic food and drinks we recommend sealing the table prior to use with a clear stone sealant, such as Aqua Seal gold . To maintain the seal, it must be reapplied at regular intervals (roughly every 6 months for moderate use, 3 months for heavy usage).

General Cleaning

When properly maintained, your table’s sealer coating will protect the surface against general food preparation and spills. However, any mess should be cleaned as soon as possible (remove within 2 hours). Clean your concrete product as you would natural stone surfaces such as marble or granite, using warm water and a soft cloth.

Stain Removal

For stubborn surface soils or stains, use a mild household cleaner or liquid soap containing no abrasive chlorine, bleach or ammonium. If using products containing antibacterial or disinfectant agents, always test an inconspicuous area of the table first to ensure your cleaner is compatible with the finish. Be sure to remove all cleaning agent residue with clean water, then rinse and dry immediately (water spotting may occur if you allow large standing water drops to air dry).

Scratch Prevention

While the concrete is suitable for everyday use and food preparation, cutting and other abrasive activities should not be performed directly on the surface of the concrete. Use cutting boards to prevent scratching on the surface or wear of the sealer coat. It’s also a good idea to fix felt or rubber pads on the bottom of items that may scratch the surface when dragged.

Fading Prevention

Exposure to long periods of rain, pollution, sunlight and temperature extremes will accelerate wear of the protective sealer and cause the appearance of the concrete surface to fade. Place a cover over the table to improve the longevity of the sealant and original finish. While intense heat will not harm the concrete itself, setting a hot object directly on the surface may weaken or discolour the sealer, thus exposing the raw concrete to future damage. Long term UV exposure affects all materials to some degree but keeping your table surface clean and regularly applying sealants will help considerably as well as a cover for periods where the table is not in use.