Aluminium Cubicle Ironmongery
Anodised: As with any finished product anodizing requires care prior to and during installation along with periodic cleaning and maintenance after installation. Although anodized aluminium possesses exceptional resistance to corrosion, discolouration and ware, its natural appearance can be marred by harsh chemicals, rough conditions or neglect. Such conditions only generally effect the surface finish and do not reduce the service life of the aluminium. However, marks resulting from such mistreatment may be permanent, e.g.: mortar, cement and other alkaline materials will corrode anodic coatings if allowed to dry on the surface of the metal and therefore should be removed as soon as possible. Initially after installation remove any grease or oil deposits from the surface using an organic solvent, such as white spirits, clean down with a mild diluted solution of detergent followed by cold water rinse. After drying apply a furniture polish to maintain a high-quality surface finish. After this initial cleaning a regular wipe over with a soft cloth to remove dirt will maintain the lustre of the anodised aluminium indefinitely.
Anodised surfaces which have been neglected for a considerable time will often require more thorough cleaning. Unfortunately, abrasive cleaning does cause some removal of the anodic film, therefore must be kept to a minimum.
Stainless Steel Cubicle Ironmongery
Cleanliness and stainless steel are closely related and must be considered inter-dependant. It performs best when clean – cleanliness is essential in preserving maximum resistance to corrosion. Stainless steel is protected from corrosion by a thin layer of Chromium Oxide (Cr2 03). Oxygen from the atmosphere combines with the chromium in the steel to form a passive chromium oxide film that protects from further corrosion. Surface contamination hinders this passivation process, therefore regular cleaning is necessary to preserve the appearance and integrity of the surface. Stainless steel cannot be regarded as ‘maintenance free’.
It is essential that stainless steel products are protected against possible damage and/or contamination during the period after installation. They should be adequately protected to ensure that mortar, cement, grout metal filings and the like do not come into contact with the surface. Where such contact occurs, immediate cleaning will promote a trouble-free service life.
Strong acid solutions (used for cleaning masonry or tiling) should never be allowed to come into contact with the metal. Should contact occur the solution should be removed immediately with copious amounts of water.
Stainless steel is easy to clean. Washing with soap or mild detergent and warm water followed by a clean water rinse and rub down with a dry clean cloth is usually adequate for all products. If Chlorides are present in any cleaning solutions, they must not be used.
The quality of cleaning water can greatly affect the appearance of stainless steel. If water has a high iron content, a brown stain can form on the surface giving the appearance of rust. Water containing a high content of minerals or water which has been softened may leave a white film on the surface. Such stains may be safely removed by scouring using a non-metallic scouring pad. Note to always scour in the direction of the satin polish lines and never against them and finish by washing and cleaning with clean water as detailed above.
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