Cleaning Guidelines for Stainless Steel

Product catalog summary

Cleaning Guidelines for Stainless Steel

Introduction: The document provides cleaning guidelines for maintaining the appearance and integrity of stainless steel components used in various sectors such as architecture, engineering, and transport. Regular cleaning is emphasized to prevent corrosion and discoloration.

General Cleaning Recommendations: Stainless steel should be cleaned with soap or mild detergent and warm water, followed by rinsing with clean cold water. In polluted environments, more frequent cleaning is advised. For heavily contaminated areas, alternative cleaning methods are suggested.

Specific Cleaning Methods:

Light Soiling: Use soap, detergent, or a dilute ammonia solution with a soft cloth, followed by rinsing and drying.
Fingerprints: Clean with detergent and warm water or bleach-free window cleaners.
Stubborn Stains: Use a 5% phosphoric acid solution, rinse, and dry.
Heavy Staining: Use a 10% phosphoric acid solution, followed by ammonia and water rinses.
Hard Water Scales: Use a 10-15% phosphoric acid solution, neutralize with ammonia, rinse, and dry.
Paint or Graffiti: Use alkaline or solvent paint strippers with a soft brush.

Precautions: Avoid using harsh abrasives, wire brushes, or concentrated bleach. Always test cleaning methods on a non-visible area first. Ensure cleaning agents comply with environmental regulations.

Protective Tape Residue: Remove adhesive residue with acetone and rinse with water.

Disclaimer: Rimex Metals provides these guidelines in good faith but does not guarantee the accuracy or suitability of the methods for all situations. Users should verify information with other sources.

Contact Information: Rimex Metals has offices and agents worldwide, including in the UK, USA, Australia, Germany, and more. Contact details are provided for each location.

Catalog excerpts

Cleaning Guidelines for Stainless Steel-1

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Cleaning Guidelines for Stainless Steel-2

Keeping up Appearances For stainless steel components where an attractive appearance is particularly important such as building cladding, shop entrances and signs; regular cleaning is advisable in order to maintain the prime condition of the material. Washing also removes dirt and impurities that may cause corrosion to stainless steel and discolouration of the metal surface if left in place too long. The more polluted the environment, the more often such washing of the stainless steel should be carried out. The intervals between washing should be determined from the local environment and from...

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Cleaning Guidelines for Stainless Steel-3

Surface Condition Suggested Cleaning Method Light soiling Soap, detergent or dilute (1%) ammonia solution in warm clean water. Apply with a clean sponge, soft cloth or soft-fibrebrush then rinse in clean water and dry. Proprietary traffic film removers (TFR) as used for cleaning cars show good results and are easily removed to leave a streak free finish. e.g. Autosmart “Active XLS”. Detergent and warm water. Alternatively, clear liquid bleach free window cleaners. Proprietary spray-applied bleach free window cleaners. e.g. “Mr Muscle”. Stubborn spots, stains and light discolouration. Water marking....

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Cleaning Guidelines for Stainless Steel-4

with stainless steels. Under no circumstances should concentrated bleaches come into contact with decorative stainless steel surfaces. Hydrochloric acid based solutions, such as building mortar removal solutions, must not come into contact with stainless steel. Hypochlorite containing bleaches must be used in the dilutions suggested in the manufacturers’ instructions and contact times kept to a minimum. Thorough rinsing after use is important. A frequent cause of staining and micropitting of stainless steel is a direct result from splashing of undiluted bleach solutions and mortar cleaners. Rimex...

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Cleaning Guidelines for Stainless Steel-5

Social Media: Rimex Metals Group Rimex Metals (UK) Ltd Aden Road • Ponders End Enfield • Middlesex • EN3 7SU Rimex Metals Architectural Ltd Aden Road • Ponders End Enfield • Middlesex • EN3 7SU Rimex Metals (Australia) Pty Ltd 6 Warringah Close • Somersby NSW 2250 • Australia Rimex Metals (Deutschland) GmbH Schießwiesen 4 • 73650 Winterbach • Germany Rimex Metals (USA) Inc 2850 Woodbridge Avenue Edison • New Jersey 08837 USA t: +1-(732)549-3800 f: +1-(732)549-6435 e: [email protected] Rimex Agent in France Solutinox SARL t: +33-(0)5670-65188 f: +33-(0)1737-90456 e: [email protected] Rimex...

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