EcoPile is engineered first and foremost as a structural marine piling: strong, long-lasting, recyclable, and affordable. Its clean finished appearance is an added benefit, but like any product used in real marine construction, minor cosmetic marks should be expected.
EcoPile is handled many times before a project is complete. Poles are shipped, loaded and unloaded, staged on jobsites, strapped to barges, driven with pile-driving equipment, and worked around throughout the dock build. Light scratches, scuffs, handling marks, and minor surface variation are normal and do not affect the structural performance or lifespan of the piling. In many cases, handling marks occur near the middle or lower portion of the pole and will end up underwater or below the finished dock line.
Most surface scuffs can be cleaned up with a light wet-sanding pass using 300-400 grit sandpaper. Marks that may not come off with soap, pressure washing, or scrubbing often blend out easily this way. If a screw or bolt hole needs to be repaired, the area can be filled with a compatible exterior filler or sealant, sanded smooth, and touched up with Shoreline’s color-matched spray paint, or any paint color matched from a local vendor. Spray paints are recomended, as it can be gently misted for a few coats, making blending easier. When done properly, repairs are difficult/impossible to notice.
Because EcoPile is made from a proprietary PVC/fiberglass composite, some minor surface texture, dimpling, or variation can occur during manufacturing. Fiberglass reinforcement gives the piling its strength and stiffness, but it also makes the extrusion process more demanding than standard PVC pipe. Shoreline Plastics works to maintain the cleanest finish possible, especially on poles intended to remain highly visible (like taller lift/boathouse poles, but minor cosmetic variation is considered normal for this type of structural marine product.
EcoPile can also be painted if a custom color is desired. Since the outer material is PVC, similar to vinyl siding, use a high-quality exterior paint rated for PVC or vinyl surfaces and follow the coating manufacturer’s preparation instructions.