Outdoor furniture quality recovery for Canada
LIFA investigated frame corrosion for a Canadian furniture buyer, arranged replacements and qualified factories with documented salt-spray performance.
- The buyer
- A Toronto, Canada importer of patio and outdoor furniture with 40+ SKUs.
- The product scope
- Powder-coated aluminum and steel outdoor furniture; dining sets and loungers, 2,200 units.
What needed to change?
Rust appeared on steel frames after one winter; 340 customer complaints; the factory's warranty was unenforceable across borders.
How LIFA managed the work
We audited the pre-treatment process: degreasing, phosphating, and powder thickness.
We verified salt-spray test records (ASTM B117) for the coating line.
We qualified 2 alternative factories with documented salt-spray performance (≥500 hours).
We negotiated a replacement and spare-parts package for affected customers.
Affected units replaced from the claim; new factories passed 500-hour salt-spray; rust complaints fell to near zero in the following season.
From our company project database, with the work, approvals and results shown together.
What this project shows
An attractive finish does not establish outdoor durability. Surface preparation, powder thickness and test results needed to match the intended environment.
Client identities, supplier contacts and confidential commercial terms are withheld from this public company record.
