Maintenance

Stainless steel is easy to clean, washing with soap or mild detergent and warm water followed by a clear water rinse is usually adequate for interior and architectural purpose,

In order to maintain the surface of stainless steel appearance and attractive, it is advisable to manage and clean surface periodically, washing also removes dirty and impurities that may cause corrosion and discoloration of stainless steel surface if left in place too long.  The more polluted environment, the more often such washing should be carried out. Difficult contaminants, like adhesive residue, will come off with acetone. Washing is carried out with mild detergent or soap with warm water and soft cloth, and followed by clean cold water and wipe it dry, abrasive tools , rough material and detergent including bleach is not allowed.

The intervals between washing should be decided by local environment and by experience.  The more polluted area, the higher frequency cleaning should be carried out.

Notes for PVD Coating and anti-fingerprints stainless steel sheet:

In normal environment, PVD Coated stainless steel sheets have excellent characteristics of adhesion, corrosion resistant, durability, stability and oxidation resistant, color will not fade and easy in maintenance. However, when cleaning with unsuitable detergent or method or keep in special environment, color fadeless is possible. Pay attention to the following

  • If products is used in special environment such as coastal location , marine climate or heavy polluted area, choose suitable grade of material or give special requirement of improving technology before placing order.
  • If there is further processing, avoid corrosion chemicals like concentrated acid, alkali and oxidizing chemicals and avoid exploding pvc in ultraviolet for a long time.
  • Because pvd coating is using physical method for color coating, so the color couldn’t be absolutely same like other chemical coating method, Maybe color has a slight varies from difference batches, to match color well, suggest to use batch interval within six months.
  • PVD coating product is not suitable for high temperature welding like arc welding in order to avoid color change.
  • Installation is carried out with pvc protection, and after installation, any rust stains from tools or construction debris must be removed.
  • It is always recommended that you first test your cleaning method on a non-visible area of the material in case there is an adverse effect to the material or its surface. If contact with chemical in installation or construction, rinse with clean immediately and dry to avoid corrosion.

We are not responsibility for any problems or damages arising as a result of these methods of cleaning.

Cautions:

  • Cleaning detergent containing bleach should not be left in contact with stainless steel.. If bleach is necessary it should be used only in the strengths prescribed by the manufacturer and never soaked for longer than 15 minutes. After which the stainless steel surface should be thoroughly rinsed with clean water.
  • Harsh abrasives and scouring materials should not be used for cleaning stainless steel as they will leave scratch marks on the surface and damage the appearance of the article, Likewise, do not use wire brushes, scrapers or contaminated scouring pads.
  • If the item has a directional polished grain, any cleaning with abrasives should be carried out along the direction of the grain and not across it.
  • After use, always remove wet cleaning aids (such as cloths, pads, containers) from the surface, to avoid formation of mater marks/stains.
  • Strong acids such as sulphuric and hydrochloric are very corrosive and should not be allowed to come into contact with stainless steel.

 

How to clean away protective film residue.

After the removal of protective film(PVC) from supplied materials, it is possible that adhesive residue is left behind. Fortunately, this does not happen often but it is possible.

In such circumstances the general advice from our protective film suppliers, is to clean away the adhesive residue using acetone or a similar product with a soft cloth and afterwards to rinse the affected area with water.

It is always recommended that you first test your cleaning method on a non-visible area of the material in case there is an adverse effect to the material or its surface.

Selection of grade: 304, 316L, 430

Decorative Stainless Steel Sheets are usually in Grade 304, which is sufficient to prevent corrosion. Grade 316 should be used near the seacoast. Low carbon versions of these grades(304L/316L) should be used when parts are to be welded. 430 is a slightly lower grade than the 300 series and is commonly used for applications when the metal needs to hold a magnet.

304 stainless steel sheet is the most widely used stainless steel, is a versatile, anti-rusting and heat resistant steel for general use.304 stainless steel sheet has numerous applications in architectural, industrial, commercial and transportation applications for its durability and high resistance to wear and scratching. 304 stainless steel sheet is austenitic, meaning it will not attract or hold a magnet in normal condition.

316L has better overall corrosion resistant properties than Grade 304, 316L stainless steel sheet metal, also called marine grade stainless steel, is used primarily for its increased resistance to corrosion. The “L” means that the carbon content of the alloy is below 0.03% which makes the 316L stainless steel sheet preferable for welding. 316L stainless steel sheet is austenitic, meaning it will not attract or hold a magnet in normal condition.

430 stainless steel sheet is a slightly lower grade than the 300 series and is commonly used for applications when the metal needs to hold a magnet, which the 300 series does not. 430 stainless steel sheet is more susceptible to corrosion since it does not contain nickel or molybdenum like the 300 series. This metal will hold a magnet, but not act as a magnet.

Suggestions from Deco stainless steel:

  • Using material with suitable composition for different environment. For sample, in normal dry and clean environment, grade 304 is sufficient in anti-corrosion, however in coastal location and marine climate with heavy sea salt fog in air. Grade 316 material is a good choice.
  • Anti-fingerprint process is a effect way to keep fingerprints and dust, so as enhance ability of corrosion resistance.
  • Clean the surface of the decorative stainless steel, remove adhesion and rust, and eliminate the external factors causing corrosion
  • Keep up appearance. See details in maintenance
  • Installation goes with PVC covering protection in order to prevent scratches and pollution, and recommend removing PVC covering after installment, to prevent adhesive residue from adhering to the stainless steel finish. Any rust stains from tools or construction debris must be removed
  • Be careful to avoid highly corrosive cleaning detergent and wash away immediately if contacted.
  •  To avoid scratches and damage when cleaning, harsh abrasives and scouring materials should not be used, do not use bleaches, abrasive material, wire brushes, grinding tools, afterward rinse the surface with clean water and dry.

Is Stainless Steel Magnetic

People often take it as a right method to tell the good stainless steel material from fake material using a magnet stick to stainless steel, it is the quality material if magnet does not stick to stainless steel, and otherwise, it is the material with quality problem. Actually, it is not a right method to test material.   

There are several different types of stainless steels. The two main types are: austenitic and ferritic

Austenitic: represent materials are: 304, 321, 316,310,  

Ferritic : represent material are :430,420,410.      

Ferritic stainless steel are generally magnetic, whistle austenitic stainless steel are not. A ferritic stainless steel owes its magnetism to two factors: it’s high concentration of iron and its fundamental structure.

The most commonly used decorative stainless steel is type 304, which is non-magnetic or weakly magnetic, it is stable at normal temperature. But if the alloy is mechanically deformed, i.e. bent or improper heat treatment, it will partially transform to the ferritic phase and will be partly magnetic or ferromagnetic with weakly magnetic.

Generally, the magnetic result from deformation and heat treatment is weakly, it is not as strong as ferritic material such as 430. So we can tell it is 304 or 316 material if it has non-magnetic or weakly magnetic. And it is not 304 materials if the magnetic is strong.

However, with magnet or without magnetic, which one is better, hard to say, it depends on your budget and for where to use, both have advantages, suitable is the best.