Maintenance Guide
Stainless Steel products
All external & exposed surfaces require regular / weekly cleaning with a soft cloth, using warm water and mild detergent to remove built up dirt.
For persistent stains & marks use a soft cloth, sponge or brush with a small amount household, detergent free mild abrasive.
Surface oxidation can appear as a result of contaminants, its is recommended to clean with a cloth and warm water, before cleaning with stainless steel cleaner.
After each and every clean, wipe down products with a separate clean dry cloth.
The use of steel wool & steel brushes can leave particles in surfaces leading to rust, these should be avoided.
It is recommended that routine cleaning is undertaken on a monthly basis & in areas of extreme environment or contaminants this should be increased accordingly.
As a prerequisite of compliance it is recommended to keep a log of the adopted maintenance schedule for each installation.
Zinc products
All external & exposed surfaces require regular / weekly cleaning with a soft cloth, using warm water and mild detergent to remove built up dirt.
For persistent stains & marks use a soft cloth, sponge or brush with a small amount household, detergent free mild abrasive.
Surface oxidation can appear as a result of contaminants, its is recommended to clean with a cloth and warm water, before cleaning with stainless steel cleaner.
After each and every clean, wipe down products with a separate clean dry cloth.
The use of steel wool & steel brushes can leave particles in surfaces leading to rust, these should be avoided.
It is recommended that routine cleaning is undertaken on a monthly basis & in areas of extreme environment or contaminants this should be increased accordingly.
As a prerequisite of compliance it is recommended to keep a log of the adopted maintenance schedule for each installation
Brass products
You should regularly dust lacquered brass with a soft cloth. To prolong the life of lacquered brass it is advisable to regularly clean the item using a cloth moistened with soapy water. The occasional application of a good quality wax polish will also help to seal chips and scratches in the lacquer itself.
In exposed and external situations, more regular waxing is advised to keep it clean.
Eventually it is possible that the lacquer will deteriorate beyond your maintenance capabilities, when this occurs, all traces of the lacquer should be removed using an acetate lacquer remover and polished back to its original finish using a good quality brass cleaner.
Once the lacquer has been removed, it is advised not to re-lacquer but to regularly clean as un-lacquered brass.
To keep un-lacquered brass in a polished state you will need to clean it with a high quality metal cleaner. Indoor pieces such as door handles, knobs and hooks will need a polish 3-4 times a year or more often if the piece is regularly handled. Exterior pieces such as your door knocker and letterplates will need doing monthly to keep them in a high shine.
Aluminium products
Anodised aluminium is extremely durable as the anodising process helps to harden and coat the metal. As a result, this process creates a weather-resistant, tarnish-resistant surface that can remain like new for years, but over time anodised aluminium will begin to naturally scratch and fade like any other metal.
To offset these effects it is advisable to regularly clean the exposed surface periodically with a soft damp cloth, using warm water and mild detergent to remove the build-up of dirt.
Abrasive metal polishes should not be used as this may damage the anodised layer.
Black Antique products
Cast and malleable iron is always at risk of corroding and rusting, more so if used externally.
Items with moving parts such as hinges, door knockers and door handles etc, unavoidably have parts that constantly rub against each other and over time the protective coating applied to them will ware away.
To prolong the lifespan of these products and to help maintain their aesthetic appearance it is recommended to apply an occasional light oil into the moving joints, this will help to reduce the speed of the rusting process and keep it at bay.
In coastal environments where the moisture content in the air is much higher, the corrosive affect on iron will be more advanced. In these conditions it is recommended that the addition of a lightly oiled cloth be used to regularly wipe over your black antique products to remove any harmful deposits from the sea air.