Stile, Care and maintenance – Metal Sales Stile Installation User Manual

Page 52

STILE

Though factory applied prepainted finishes are very durable and will last many years, eventually it

may be desirable to thoroughly clean or repaint them.

Dirt pickup may cause apparent discoloration of the paint when it has been exposed in some dirt

laded atmospheres for long periods of time. In areas of strong sunlight, slight chalking may cause

some change in appearance. A good cleaning will often restore the appearance of these buildings and

render repainting unnecessary. An occasional light cleaning will help maintain a good appearance.

In many cases, simply washing the building with plain water using a hose or pressure sprayer will be

adequate. In areas where heavy dirt deposits dull the surface, a cloth or soft bristle brush and solu-

tion of water and detergent (

cup of Tide per gallon of water for example) may be used. This should

be followed by an adequate rinse of water. Do not use wire brushes, abrasives, or cleaning tools

which will abrade the coating surface.

Mildew may occur in areas subject to high humidity but is not normally a problem due to the high

inherent mildew resistance of the baked finish that is used. However, mildew can grow on dirt and

spore deposits in some cases. To remove mildew along with the dirt, the following solution is recom-

mended.

cup detergent (Tide or equivalent)

cup trisodium phosphate (Solex or equivalent)

1 quart of 5% sodium hypochlorite solution (Clorox or equivalent)

3 quarts of water

Strong solvents and abrasive type cleaners should be avoided. Most organic solvents are flammable

and toxic and must be handled accordingly. When using a solvent, consult maintenance professionals

and label instructions for proper handling and disposal of washings. If required, a mild solvent such

as mineral spirits can be used to remove caulking compounds, oil, grease, tars, wax, and similar

substances. Use a cloth dampened with mineral spirits and apply only to areas which are contami-

nated. Follow up the use of this mild solvent with detergent cleaning and rinsing.

CARE AND MAINTENANCE

DO NOT USE A

WIRE BRUSH

HOSE OR PRESSURE SPRAY

FOR ADEQUATE CLEANING

USE MILD DETERGENT AND WATER

FOR HEAVY DIRT DEPOSITS