Why is the maintenance of painted aluminium profiles important and what does the cleaning frequency depend on?
Proper maintenance plays a key role in maintaining the aesthetics and durability of the paint. Over time with exposure to the weather, paint can show signs of deterioration such as loss of gloss, chalking and colour differentiation.
The intensity and timing of these phenomena varies depending on climatic conditions. Therefore, their maintenance varies accordingly from place to place. In Mediterranean countries such as Greece, where solar radiation is intense and there are many coastal areas, special care is needed. So, on a preventive level, we can avoid or minimize premature fading and loss of gloss by choosing and using Hyper-resistant powder coatings.
Suggested maintenance intervals in relation to the environment:
| Environment | Description | Cleaning Program |
| Mild | Province, away from coastal, industrial and urban areas | Every 6 months |
| Medium | Urban environment, in the hinterland, away from heavy industrial activity | Every 3 months |
| Harsh | Coastal or seaside environment, within 1,5 km. from the coast | Every 2-4 weeks |
What is the correct procedure for cleaning the surface of painted aluminium profiles and what should be avoided?
- Carefully remove dirt with a damp soft sponge or cloth. Remove as soon as possible resin from trees, insect dirt, etc. because with time, sunlight and heat they harden and are harder to remove. Cleaning should be carried out at temperatures below 30 °C and not at a time when the sunlight is high and direct.
- Use a soft brush, soft sponge or cloth and a mild household or car cleaner to remove any residue. Under no circumstances should you use metal brushes, wire, hard sponges, sandpaper, abrasive liquid cleaners or powder detergents, as they will permanently scratch the surface of the paint. Please note that the use of cleaners that require the use of gloves is not recommended and should be avoided because such a label is an indication that the cleaner is too strong and therefore unsuitable for cleaning the powdered surface.
- After cleaning, rinse the painted surface carefully with clean water and wipe dry. The use of borehole water is not recommended, as its mineral and salt content can stain and cause paint problems in the long term.
- Do not use cleaners that are based on harsh solvents. If it is necessary to remove materials from the surface, such as paint or glue, and the use of a solvent is necessary, then the mildest possible solvent, such as white spirit, turpentine, isopropanol or alcohol, should be used. Try for the minimum contact time and at the end rinse with clean water. We always recommend a test on a small not very visible surface to make sure that no damage or change of colour will be caused.
- If lubricant is used on the mechanisms during maintenance, immediately clean the lubricant from the painted surface with a wet cloth. Otherwise, there is a risk of colour change if the painted surface with the lubricant is exposed to the sun.
- One of the advantages of super-resistant powder coatings with a sanding texture is easy cleaning, due to the specially designed surface. It is not recommended to use abrasives, mild or harsh. Clean the surface according to the above instructions.
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Source: www.neokem.eu