MANUTENZIONE - MAINTENANCE - ENTRETIEN - wARTUNG - MANUTENCIóN
CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE OF STAINLESS STEEL SURFACES
Mortar and cement splashes can be treated with a solution containing a small amount of phosphoric acid.
Rinse with water (preferably deionised water) and dry. Deionised water reduces the risk of water staining
marks.
Proprietary products are available from specialists finishing companies. Never allow mortar removers or
diluted hydrochloric acid to be used on stainless steel. If they have accidentally been applied to or spilt
over the stainless steel, rinse generously with fresh water.
- Brushed finishes, which are a popular choice for interiors, may show finger marks in the period
immediately after installation, but the visibility of the marking should become less evident after the first
few cleaning operations.
- To remove fingerprints and other marks, soapy water or a mild detergent are usually safe and
successful.
- Mirror-polished stainless steel can be cleaned with glass cleansers. These products should be selected
chloride-free.
- Scouring powers should not be used as these products can leave permanent scratches on stainless
steel surfaces.
- Alternatively, use a proprietary stainless steel cleaner containing phosphoric acid to remove contamination,
rinse with deionised water and dry. It is advisable that the entire surface of the component is treated so
that a patchy appearance is avoided.
- Cleaners that should NOT be used on stainless steels include:
• chloride-containing cleansers, especially those containing hydrochloric acid,
• hypochlorite bleaches should not be used on stainless steels; if applied accidentally or spilt on stainless
steel surfaces, should be rinsed off immediately with liberal amounts of fresh water,
• silver-cleaners must not be used on stainless steel
A damp cloth or chamois leather will usually be suitable for removing normal soiling, fingerprints, etc.
For more stubborn dirt, nylon pads are usually satisfactory.
Non-stainless steel based scouring pads, cleaning wool or wire brushes must not be used on stainless
steel. Apart from scratching the surface, these pads can leave carbon steel deposits on the stainless
surface, which can subsequently develop into rust spots, if the surface becomes wet.
On "grained" directional finishes, the direction of cleaning strokes should be along the grain and not
across it.
Where water has been used for cleaning or rinsing, wiping the surface dry to prevent watermarks,
especially in hard water areas may be advisable. The use of deionised water will prevent the formation
of hard water staining.
To avoid "cross-contamination" from iron particles, ensure that cleaning utensils have not been used for
"ordinary" (i.e. carbon) steel before. Cleaning materials for use on stainless steel items should preferably
be reserved exclusively for that purpose.
Cleaning should be done before there is a visible build up of soiling or finger-marking, so that the effort and
cost of cleaning is minimised along with the risk of marking or altering the appearance of the surfaces.
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