How to Fix Peeling or Bubbling Powder Coat Paint on an ELEY Hose Reel

Why Is the Powder Coat Peeling or Bubbling?

ELEY hose reels use a durable powder coat finish over their aluminum components.

Unlike traditional liquid paint, powder coating is applied as a dry powder and then cured to create a hard, protective surface. The finish helps protect the aluminum from weather exposure while maintaining the appearance of the reel over years of outdoor use.

However, like any exterior coating, powder coat can eventually be affected by environmental exposure, physical damage, and normal aging.

Paint damage may be associated with:

• Long-term sunlight and UV exposure

• Salt-air and salt-deposit accumulation

• Physical impacts, scratches, or abrasion

• Chemical exposure

• Harsh or improper cleaning products

• Standing moisture

• Damage to the coating that allows deterioration to spread

• Natural aging of the finish over time

The appearance of peeling or bubbling paint does not necessarily mean the aluminum component itself has failed.

Will Exposed Aluminum on a Hose Reel Rust?

No. Aluminum does not develop the reddish-brown rust associated with steel.

When aluminum is exposed to air and moisture, it naturally forms a thin layer of aluminum oxide on the surface. The exposed area may eventually appear dull, gray, chalky, or weathered, but this does not necessarily affect the structural integrity or operation of the hose reel.

In many cases, a hose reel with localized paint damage remains completely functional.

Repairing the affected area can improve the reel's appearance and help protect the surrounding powder coat from additional deterioration.

Salt Air Can Affect Hose Reels Miles Inland

Customers do not have to live directly on the beach for salt exposure to affect outdoor equipment.

Salt carried by wind and coastal weather can travel surprisingly far inland. Depending on wind patterns, humidity, storms, weather conditions, and local geography, outdoor metal products many miles from the shoreline may still be exposed to airborne salt.

For that reason, customers in coastal regions should not assume their hose reel is unaffected simply because they do not live directly on the water.

If salt residue is accumulating on the reel, periodic maintenance can help protect the finish.

ELEY recommends:

• Periodically rinsing the hose reel with fresh water

• Removing accumulated salt deposits

• Allowing the reel to dry after rinsing

• Inspecting painted surfaces for chips or damaged areas

• Using an ELEY Hose Reel Cover when the reel is not in use for extended periods

Routine cleaning is especially important in locations where salt deposits are visibly accumulating on outdoor surfaces.

First, Check Whether Your Paint Is Still Under Warranty

ELEY hose reels carry a 10-year warranty on covered product failures, but the powder coat finish has its own separate warranty period. 

ELEY Powder Coat Paint Warranty

ELEY guarantees that its powder coat paint will not bubble, crack, or peel under normal use and service for one year, or 12 months, from the date of purchase.

Normal fading caused by prolonged exposure to sunlight and UV radiation is considered a natural occurrence and is not covered under the paint warranty. fileciteturn0file0

You can review the complete ELEY Warranty Policy for additional details.

Is Your Hose Reel Less Than One Year Old?

If your hose reel is within the one-year paint warranty period and the finish is bubbling, cracking, or peeling, we recommend contacting ELEY before attempting a repair.

1. Take several clear photos of the affected area.

2. Include close-up photos of the paint damage.

3. Include a wider photo showing the affected component.

4. Submit the photos through the ELEY Warranty Claim Form.

5. Our customer support team will review the condition and determine the appropriate next step.

If you're unsure whether your paint issue qualifies for warranty coverage, submit the photos and allow our support team to evaluate it. ELEY's warranty process specifically allows customers to upload photos or videos to help identify the problem.

Out of Warranty? Here Are Your Three Repair Options

If the reel is outside the one-year paint warranty, the best repair usually depends on how extensive the damage is and how important the original factory appearance is to you.

Option 1: Touch Up Small Areas

For small chips, scratches, or isolated areas of peeling paint, ELEY Touch-Up Paint is usually the simplest solution.

Touch-up paint works best when:

• The damaged area is relatively small

• The surrounding powder coat remains firmly bonded

• There is no widespread bubbling or peeling

• Cosmetic appearance is the primary concern

Before applying touch-up paint, remove any loose material and make sure the surface is clean and completely dry.

Option 2: Repaint the Affected Component

If peeling or flaking is widespread, simply covering the damaged area with touch-up paint may not provide the best result.

In that situation, repainting the affected aluminum component may provide a better long-term solution.

Before repainting:

• Thoroughly clean the surface

• Remove loose or flaking paint

• Lightly sand the affected areas

• Remove sanding dust

• Make sure all parts are completely dry

• Follow the preparation and application instructions for the primer and paint system you choose

For additional general guidance, see Bob Vila's How to Paint Aluminum.

Matching the Original ELEY Spartan Bronze Finish

If you want the repainted component to closely resemble the original ELEY finish, Spartan Bronze spray paint is available from LVP Paints.

Select:

PFJ507A5 Spartan Bronze

Keep in mind that an older hose reel may have experienced some natural fading from years of sunlight and weather exposure. As a result, newly applied paint may not be a perfect visual match to the surrounding original powder coat.

Important Tip When Repainting Reel Flanges

If you are repainting one of the reel flanges, leave the white axle bushings installed.

Simply cover the bushings carefully with painter's tape before painting rather than removing them.

Option 3: Replace the Affected Component

If the paint damage is extensive, or if you simply prefer the appearance of an original factory-finished component, replacing the affected part may be the easiest solution.

Many current ELEY aluminum hose reel components are available individually with the original Spartan Bronze powder coat finish.

Browse:

Garden Hose Reel Replacement Parts

Replacement may be a good choice when:

• A large portion of the component has lost its coating

• Multiple areas are bubbling or peeling

• You do not want to sand and repaint the component

• Maintaining a factory-finished appearance is important

Please note: Painted replacement components are no longer available for some older garden hose reel models, including the Triton and Rapid Reel Pro Line.

If you're unsure which replacement component fits your reel, contact ELEY Customer Support before ordering.

How to Help Prevent Future Powder Coat Problems

Powder coating is durable, but no painted outdoor surface lasts forever.

A few simple maintenance practices can help maximize the life of the finish.

Periodically Rinse the Reel

Rinse away:

• Dirt

• Dust

• Salt deposits

• Fertilizer residue

• Other contaminants

This is especially important in coastal environments, where ELEY recommends occasional rinsing to remove accumulated salt deposits.

Avoid Harsh Cleaning Products

Harsh chemicals and abrasive cleaners can damage exterior finishes.

Use mild cleaning methods whenever possible, and avoid aggressive scrubbing that could scratch or weaken the coating.

Inspect the Reel Periodically

Look for:

• Chips

• Scratches

• Small areas of peeling

• Bubbling

• Areas where coating has been damaged by impact

Addressing a small damaged area early may prevent surrounding coating from becoming loose.

Use a Hose Reel Cover

An ELEY Hose Reel Cover can help protect the reel and hose from prolonged exposure to UV rays, ice, snow, and corrosive salt air.

Using a cover can be particularly helpful during extended periods when the reel is not being used.

Still Not Sure What to Do?

If you're looking at peeling, bubbling, or flaking paint and aren't sure whether you should touch it up, repaint the component, replace it, or submit a warranty claim, send ELEY Customer Support a few clear photos of the affected area.

We can help identify the component, evaluate the condition, and point you toward the most practical solution for your hose reel.

Submit an ELEY Warranty Claim or browse ELEY Hose Reel Replacement Parts to get started.