Maintenance

Maintenance

Caring for the finish of your Fin Windows + Doors products correctly should greatly enhance its life, appearance and functionality. Below are some tips that should help to extend the life of the finishes on your new product.

Over time with exposure to the elements, powder-coatings may show signs of weathering such as loss of gloss, chalking and slight colour change. A simple regular clean will minimise these effects and remove dirt, grime and other build-ups detrimental to all powder-coating colours.

The frequency of cleaning will depend on many factors:

• the location of your building

• the surrounding environment, e.g. marine, industrial, alkaline or acidic, etc

• the levels of atmospheric pollution including salts

• prevailing winds and the possibility of airborne debris causing erosive wear of the coating protection of part or all of the building by other buildings

• change in environmental circumstances during the lifetime of the building, e.g. if rural became industrial

Cleaning

Cleaning should start at the time products are installed, ensuring that construction materials such as concrete, plaster and paint splashes are removed before they have a chance to dry. Failure to remove these materials at this early stage will require the use of aggressive cleaning materials and techniques with potential damage to the powder-coated surface.

The best method of cleaning is by regular washing of the coating using a solution of warm water and non-abrasive, pH neutral detergent solution. Surfaces should be thoroughly rinsed after cleaning to remove all residues. All surfaces should be cleaned using a soft cloth, sponge or a soft natural bristle brush.

The frequency of cleaning will depend on the standard of appearance required and the need to remove deposits that cause damage during prolonged contact. In environments with very high corrosivity levels, such as industrial or marine, the normal frequency of cleaning every 3 months.

Sheltered areas can be more at risk of degradation than in exposed areas. This is because wind-blown salt and other pollutants may adhere to the surface and will not be cleaned away with rainfall. These areas should be inspected on a regular basis and cleaned if necessary.

Where the atmosphere is deemed to be non-hazardous, e.g. rural or ‘normal’ urban environments, then the period between cleaning can be extended up to a maximum of 24 months depending on the coating selection. However, if heavy soiling occurs, more regular cleaning is required.

* Refer Interpon Powder Coatings - Care and Maintenance sheet for further details.