The good news about a Corten steel sign is that it pretty much looks after itself. No painting, no sealing, no fuss. But there are a couple of things worth knowing so it settles in nicely and stays looking its best.
It's meant to weather
Corten rusts on purpose — that surface rust is what protects the steel underneath. So you don't need to seal it or treat it. Put it up and leave it be, and over the first few months it darkens and evens out into that rich rusty finish.
Rust runoff early on
When a sign's new, it can leave a bit of orange runoff in the rain. Worth keeping in mind if it's sitting above light concrete, paint or timber — it may mark underneath at first. That settles down as the rust matures. If you'd rather avoid any marking, give it a few weeks somewhere it can run off freely before it goes up on something pale.
Cleaning
You don't need to do much. If it gets grubby, a rinse with water and a soft brush is plenty. Steer clear of harsh chemicals or a wire brush — you'll strip the patina back and it'll just re-rust unevenly.
If you ever want to slow the rust
Most people love the natural look, but if you want to hold the colour roughly where it is, a clear outdoor sealer will slow it down. Just know it changes the finish a little and needs redoing over time. For most signs, we'd say leave it natural — it's less work and it looks the part.
The short version
Put it up, leave it alone, let it weather. That's the beauty of Corten — it does the work itself.
If you're after a Corten steel sign for your place, send through the wording you'd like and a rough size and we'll mock something up for you.
