Hot take: I thought those plastic post caps were just for looks

Honestly, I always skipped them on chain link jobs in Phoenix to save a few bucks. Last summer, I had a client insist on them for their whole 150-foot run, and after a year, the top rail looks brand new while my usual jobs are already showing rust. Has anyone else seen a real difference with them, or did I just get lucky with that batch?

3 comments

3 Comments

lucas5512mo ago

Wait, you were skipping them to save money? That's crazy... I've seen posts get chewed up so fast without caps, especially with all the sun out here. That rust you're talking about is exactly why I never skip them anymore.

felix_coleman871mo ago

Hold up, are you sure it's just the sun doing that damage? I thought the biggest problem with skipping caps was moisture getting trapped inside the post, not UV rays. Sun will fade the paint for sure, but rust usually starts from water sitting in that open hole on top. That's why I started using those plastic plug caps instead of the metal ones, they seal way better and don't sweat as much. The metal ones can actually make it worse if they get a tiny dent or crack, because water gets in but can't evaporate. So yeah, skipping them is dumb, but even the wrong cap can be almost as bad. It's all about keeping that water out, whichever way you go.

kevin_bailey2mo ago

Read a study showing uncapped posts fail twice as fast in wet climates.