Does plastic handle well being outside all the time (drying rack)?

gilbutre

How does cheap plastic handle months or years outdoors? I purchased this drying rack and am wondering whether I can just leave it outside all the time.
If anyone here has done so, what happened?

 

Mrs_Arcanum

Simple answer is no, but it depends how long you need it to last? The plastic coating is not of a type that survives the weather, if it is a short term measure then it might do.

3secondmemory

Plastic ages and becomes brittle,  and rust will break through. 

I made the mistake of leaving mine outside- They are just not built for it

Cornucopia

Thread moved to In my Home

Mickey666

Depends on the type of plastic covering, but if it was very 'cheap' then I'd guess not.  Could probably prolong its life by keeping it out of direct sunlight though (UV will be harmful to the plastic covering).

daivid

I would expect the plastic to crack and rust to start breaking through after a few months but the only way to know will be to try it. The manufacturer is unlikely to have selected a UV stable plastic but one may have been used by luck. If you are willing to risk replacing it and/or it really is too much hastle to put out and bring in after each use you could cover it with a tarp held in place with rope or bungee round the bottom. The tarp would protect it from the sun, rain and bird mess and likely lengthen it's lifespan.