Maintenance
All Bollards Online products need to be maintained on a periodic basis. Airborne contaminants, including salt deposits and industrial pollution which settle on surface areas, can attack and adversely affect the finish and must be regularly removed.
FREQUENCY OF MAINTENANCE
Normal Environments – Every 6 months or sooner
Harsh Environments (coastal or industrial) – Every 3 months or sooner
Hazardous Environments (marine or atmospheric pollution) – Every month As each environment is unique and the level of vandalism varied, more frequent maintenance schedules may be necessary to properly maintain the product.
POWDER COATED AND TWO PART EPOXY SURFACES
All finished surfaces must be properly maintained to ensure its appearance and durability.
Maintenance Directions:
- Allow at least 1 month from delivery of items before initial cleaning to allow the finish to completely set. Avoid contact with other construction materials such as concrete, asphalt, plaster, other paint, etc. If any other material does come in contact with the finish, ensure that it is quickly removed before any drying sets in. Failure to remove such materials at this early stage will potentially cause early surface deterioration.
• Wash surfaces with a diluted solution of fresh warm water (around 40°C, not hot water) and a mild pH neutral liquid detergent. Good quality car shampoos or deck cleaning detergents can be used. Be sure to read all manufacturers’ directions to make sure it is safe for use on painted surfaces. We strongly recommend that a small area that is not visible be tested first.
• Apply using a soft cloth or sponge. Pay particular attention to the areas that are not exposed to rain wash and ensure these areas are thoroughly washed. For more difficult areas use a soft bristle brush. Do not use any abrasive cleaners or tools. Rinse thoroughly & completely with clean fresh water ensuring all residues are removed.
• Do not use any strong solvents or chemical cleaners such as acetates, paint thinners, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) or petroleum-based products nor any solvents containing esters, ketones, or chlorine. - Please note that prolonged contact with chemically active sediments such as bird dropping can reduce the life of the finish so it is important that these are cleaned off as soon as possible.
• If surfaces have become dull from extended UV exposure, it may be possible to revive the surface by polishing with a clean soft cloth
Powder Coated Surfaces Only:
If solvents are required to remove graffiti, etc., use a soft cloth dampened with a little bit of white or methylated spirits. Ensure that the contact time is a short as possible and rinse the solvent thoroughly from the surface as soon as possible with lots of clean fresh water.
Galvanised Surfaces
Maintenance Directions:
- Using a clean soft cloth or sponge, wash all galvanised surfaces with clean fresh water to re-move any contaminants paying close attention to areas not exposed to rain wash. For difficult areas, use a soft bristle brush to remove built up grime. Do not use any abrasive cleaners or tools. Rinse thoroughly & completely with clean fresh water ensuring all residues are removed.
• Dry completely.
Unfinished Stainless Steel
Maintenance Directions:
- Wash all stainless steel surfaces with a diluted solution of fresh water and a mild liquid dish washing detergent to remove all contaminants. Be sure to read all manufacturers’ directions to make sure it is safe for use on stainless steel.
• Apply using a soft cloth or sponge. Pay particular attention to the areas that are not exposed to rain and ensure these areas are thoroughly washed. For bead blasted finished stainless steel use a soft bristle brush to remove grime. Do not use any abrasive cleaners or tools. Rinse thoroughly & completely with clean fresh water ensuring all residues are removed.
• For mirror finished stainless steel products, a polish may be necessary using a metal polishing liquid to remove surface scratches.
Discolouration:
Occasionally, discolouration of the stainless steel may occur. The most common reasons are below.
- Iron contamination: This is when the stainless steel has come into contact with a mild steel or cast-iron objects. Small particles from the object are transferred on to stainless steel and eventually deteriorate making it look like the stainless steel has rusty spots. When this happens, these stains can be removed by using a mild domestic cleanser or a stainless steel polishing agent. Common scenarios are when mild steel tools are used to install a stainless steel cycle rack or when supermarket trolleys run into stainless steel bollards.
• Tea Staining:This is when the surface of the stainless steel is discoloured due to corrosive elements. It is a cosmetic issue only and does not affect the structural integrity or the life span of the stainless steel. Tea staining occurs most commonly within 5km of a marine environment. A regular maintenance schedule as outlined above will deter tea staining from occurring.
Unfinished Aluminium Surfaces
- Wash all surfaces with a diluted solution of fresh water and a mild liquid dish washing detergent to remove all contaminants. Be sure to read all manufacturers’ directions to make sure it is safe for use on aluminium.
• Apply using a soft cloth or sponge. Pay particular attention to the areas that are not exposed to rain wash and ensure these areas are thoroughly washed. For difficult areas, use a soft bristle brush to remove grime. Do not use any abrasive cleaners or tools. Rinse thoroughly & completely with clean fresh water ensuring all residues are removed.
• Buff out surfaces as needed with a non-abrasive cleaner. Be sure to read all manufacturers’ directions to make sure it is safe for use on aluminium.