GENERAL MAINTENANCE

• All ironmongery products should be washed with mild soap, water, and a soft cloth every week to guarantee its cleanliness and maintain its appearance. Ensure to rinse it thoroughly. NOTE Daily washing will not corrode or damage your brass or stainless-steel articles.
• Ironmongery in high-traffic areas, such as commercial buildings and main entrances, should be checked, tightened, and lubricated regularly to ensure it is fully operational and to avoid future mishaps.
• External ironmongery should be checked more regularly due to its exposure to the elements, especially in coastal areas where there are high levels of humidity and salt in the air.

CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS FOR SOLID BRASS PRODUCTS

Lacquered Brass (Chrome and Satin nickel finishes):

• Regular washing with warm soapy water should be sufficient to keep any finish in its original condition for a long time.
• All lacquered brass articles require regular cleaning with a non-abrasive wax polish to ensure their longevity, especially for external fittings that face numerous environmental conditions. NOTE: After some time, the lacquer coating, especially on external fittings, can suffer a possible breakdown. The life of the lacquer is, therefore, beyond the manufacturer’s control and cannot be guaranteed.When the lacquer coating has broken down, remove all trace elements of the lacquer and clean the article regularly by using a metal polish. Alternatively, a fresh coat of lacquer can be applied, however, we strongly recommend that you should leave the article unlacquered, especially if it is for external use.

Unlacquered Brass:

• Regular polishing with a good quality metal polish is essential to maintain its original finish. NOTE: If the intention is to allow the surface to age through oxidation then no attention needs to be given to the article.

CARE AND MAINTENANCE OF STAINLESS STEEL

Care and Maintenance of your stainless-steel hardware need to take place regularly, and more so in coastal areas, with the use of a stainless-steel Cleaner, to preserve the appearance and lifespan of the product.

What is stainless steel?
The term “stainless” steel derives from the development of specialty steels for the modern cutlery industry. It has now been adopted as a generic name for steels developed for any corrosion or oxidation (rust) resistant applications.

What is tea staining?
Tea staining can be described as discolouration of the surface of stainless steel that does not affect the structural integrity or the longevity of the material. Visually it is a discolouration of the metal, which tends to follow the “grain” of any surface finish. Although unpleasant to look at, it is not a serious form of corrosion. Aesthetically it is undesirable, the following information is therefore designed to help you understand its causes and institute a maintenance plan to keep your hardware looking pristine for longer.

Where and why does tea staining occur?
The staining of stainless steel occurs most commonly in coastal areas and becomes progressively worse the closer you get to saltwater. Other factors such as pollution, high temperatures, and humidity can also increase the occurrence.
Staining occurs when chemical particles gather in surface troughs of the metal then oxidise or corrode. For this reason, rougher surfaces promote staining. Smoother surface finishes stay cleaner for longer periods because they do not have surface grooves where chemicals and other contaminants can collect, concentrate, and cause problems.

Perform regular maintenance:
Clean regularly with a stainless-steel cleaner and rinse with clean fresh water, mild detergent, and a soft cloth or soft brush. After washing rinse in clean water and wipe the surface dry with a soft absorbent cloth, remembering to go with the grain on brushed stainless steel. Generally, you should wash your stainless steel every time you wash your windows or every three months. Do not use abrasive cleaners or a scouring pad of any type as they may cause excessive wear and dull the finish. Even smooth stainless-steel finishes in coastal environments may show tea staining if not washed regularly.

With a little bit of care, you can radically minimise, if not prevent tea staining and get years of visual enjoyment from your stainless steel. It must be recognised that keeping a pristine finish requires understanding, additional effort, and usually extra cost in the first instance. It is all about determining your expectations of the hardware and planning to achieve and maintain its visual appeal.