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Operation and maintenance of Steel

Health and safety

The products are supplied using materials to ensure they are fit for purpose and function for many years to come.

To aid in ensuring the maximum life can be realised with the product, along with minimising the costs for major refurbishment, this manual has been created to assist in the ongoing maintenance requirements, along with identifying important points that should be followed at all times.

Our commitment to providing a service of quality that takes into consideration the effects of the environment during its manufacture and life plus, the health and safety of the Customers has been fully considered. Standards that have also been used during product design and manufacture are:

  • BS EN ISO 1461:2009 (Hot Dip Galvanised Coatings on Fabricated Iron and Steel Articles)
  • BS EN ISO 13920:1997 (Welding Tolerances Shapes, Dimensions and Lengths)

Materials and processess

As the product is designed to utilise various customer requirements, the following is a list of materials and processes that could have been used during its processing.

Materials

  • Mild steel - Grade S235
  • Stainless steel - Grade 304 / Grade 316
  • Polyurethane (PU)
  • Fixings – Grade 8.8
  • Ground Anchors

Processes used

  • Bending, forming, fabrication and welding
  • Moulding (polyurethane)
  • Zinc galvanising
  • Polyester powder coating

Maintenance and cleaning

This section gives a generic overview of the inspection and cleaning regimes, solutions, methods, and techniques that will preserve the product's aesthetic finish.

Inspection and cleaning

To maximise life expectancy, the products should be visually inspected regularly for any signs of damage, vandalism, breakdown of surface finish, or build-up of salt, dirt, or atmospheric residue.

If any concerns are noted during these inspections, the Customer’s attention is brought to the following pages, which describe suitable maintenance and repair methods for the various materials used.

If any main component is seriously damaged, immediately contact us for advice.

In addition to the visual inspection, a regular cleaning regime is also required. The required frequency of visual inspection and cleaning will be dependent on the environment in which the product is situated:

  • In rural and urban environments (C1 – C3) the products should be visually inspected monthly and cleaned every 3 months. This should include tightening of any loose bolts.
  • In harsh industrial or coastal environments (C4, C5-I, C5-M), where the products may come into contact with concentrated atmospheric pollutants (chemical, marine), the visual inspection frequency, should be increased to weekly and the cleaning frequency increased to monthly (or as required).

Note: this document is not designed to be exhaustive and extensive in the exacting requirements of every case. If you consider your cleaning or repair circumstances to be outside of the scope of this document, then please contact us and we will be happy to help.

All cleaning and maintenance should be recorded, detailing the method of cleaning, what products have been used and what repair work has been undertaken. In the case of a warranty claim against Wrekin Products Ltd, this information will be requested.

Galvanised coatings

The Galvanising used on the product has been processed in accordance with the requirements specified in BS EN ISO 1461:2009. Galvanising is a hot dip chemical reaction of molten zinc onto a steel substrate. At the time of the process taking place the appearance will be shiny silver, however, this will not last and over a period of several weeks, this will dull off to a grey colour. This is the natural finish of the Galvanised surface.

Note: due to the nature of the Galvanising process some surface irregularities may occur on the surface of the finished products. Although these will be finished flat, where possible, this will not be undertaken where it may breach the zinc coating. Some visual irregularities may therefore be present on galvanised products, including those finished with a polyester powder coating – these do not compromise the durability and performance of either the product or the coatings in any way.

The cleaning of any exposed Galvanised surfaces should be undertaken using:

  1. A low-pressure water wash, e.g. hose pipe.
  2. A soft brush, with warm soapy water, to remove any surface dirt.

Scourers, wire brushes and abrasive cleaners must not be used during cleaning as they may compromise the protective surface and result in premature rusting.

After cleaning ensure the product is rinsed thoroughly. Galvanising has the ability to "self-heal" any minor knocks or scratches. However, there will be occasions when the coating has been damaged to base steel at a size that will not allow for self-healing. Based on this there are several propriety repair paints on the market. In Armco Direct's experience, we have found two that give a satisfactory repair and finish for ongoing use. The two methods are either Galvafroid or Zinga with both being available in either paste/brush application, or an aerosol spray.

  • Where the surface is scratched or damaged though to base steel, a check should be made to establish if rusting has occurred.
  • Where rusting is present, the area should be wire brushed/sanded to bring back to a bright steel surface.
  • The system used for repair will state the required precautions that should be taken, along with the application method. However, a build-up of coating should be such that the thickness will be capable of giving ongoing protection as required. The coating thickness on renovated areas should be at least 100 microns.

Powder coatings

As the name suggests, this process involves the application of a polyester powder onto the substrate using an electrostatic gun. This is then oven cured to create the hard-wearing outer layer that can be seen on the finished product.

Powder coating can last many years, but its life expectancy depends on a variety of factors, including site location, atmospheric conditions and cleaning regime.

The recommended cleaning frequency is detailed at the start of this section.

The cleaning of powder coated surfaces should be undertaken using either:

  1. Warm mild soapy water and soft brush, sponge or natural bristle brush. Rinsed with clean water.
  2. A proprietary car wash and wax system. Rinsed with clean water. At no time during the cleaning process is it advisable for any abrasive cleaners, solvents, or other chemicals to be used:

To enhance the appearance of the powder coating, an annual treatment with car wax would be acceptable, but not considered mandatory.

Where Graffiti is present, then it is recommended that no solvent cleaners are used in an attempt to remove it. The method of removal should be with the use of either a car ‘T-Cutting’ compound, or through a specialist cleaner. This should be tested on a small, inconspicuous area first to assess its efficiency.

Where small repairs to the powder coat surface are required, then the following should be adhered to as a minimum:

  • For light scratches/chips where the base metal is exposed, then a suitable zinc-rich primer should be carefully applied to the defect, followed by a topcoat finish of a matching acrylic based paint, or touch up.
  • Where scratches/chips have only exposed the substrate surface, then the above must be followed with the exception of the zinc rich primer being applied. For larger areas of damage, vandalism or coating breakdown, then you should contact us for technical advice.

Stainless steel satin finish, dull polished products and finishes less than RA0.7

Cleaning and maintenance plan

Cleaning

Most alloys of stainless steel are not highly reactive to chemicals. However, caution must be exercised when using cleansers, polishes, and waxes on stainless steel products.

Products to avoid

Any cleaning and polishing products that are abrasive or contain harsh chemicals such as ammonia or chlorine should be avoided. These include:

  • Brasso, Semichrome, or any other commercially available metal polishes or creams
  • Windex, Formula 409, and all ammonia-based products (produces streaks)
  • Degreasing agents, powdered cleansers, paint thinners, or solvents
  • Any cleaning towels that are abrasive must be avoided. These include:
    • Paper towels of ANY kind
    • Commercial Terrycloth, linen, or cotton rags / towels (no matter how “soft” they feel to the touch)
    • Avoid squeegees, sponges, or any type of scouring pad i.e. wire wool
    • Avoid razor blades, scrapers, putty knives, etc.

Recommended cleaning products

The following products are recommended for cleaning stainless steel brushed finished products.

  • 3m/inox stainless steel cleaner
  • Microfibre cloths
  • 4023 cleaning gel and brush
  • Medium grade scotch cloth

Cleaning process

Stainless steel marked with oil/grease, droppings, general surface contamination

Stainless steel marked with oil/grease, droppings, general surface contamination

Jet wash surface contamination/dirt off the surface where possible. Liberally spray 3M/Inox cleaning spray onto the surface to be cleaned. Use a clean, soft microfiber cleaning cloth and wipe off in the direction of the grain.

Buff surface with clean dry microfibre cloth. If light marks are still visible repeat above steps.

1 stage 3M cleaner- repeat step to gain fully clean surface

1 stage 3M cleaner- repeat step to gain fully clean surface

2 stage 3M cleaning process

2 stage 3M cleaning process

Heavy stained products requiring 4023 treatment

If heavier staining marks are still present, move on to the next step of 4023 cleaning gel, Detailed below.

Heavy stained/Marked Stainless

Heavy stained/marked stainless

Wearing gloves and safety glasses apply thin layer of 4023 gel to the whole stainless steel surface to be cleaned using brush provided and leave for 5 minutes.

Wipe 4023 gel off with microfibre cloth following direction of the grain.

Wipe 4023 gel off with microfibre cloth following direction of the grain.

Clean steel

If heavy stains are present after removing the gel use medium scotch cloth provided. Spray 3M cleaning onto surface and lightly rub with medium scotch in direction of the grain. Reapply spray (4023 gel if nessasary) and move onto next step.

Rubbing steel with medium scotch

Final clean

Spray 3M/Inox cleaner on the surface, wipe off with a clean microfibre cloth, and buff with another clean, dry cloth.

Final, clean steel

Fully clean and smooth to the touch.

Coshh and data sheets are available on request.