Clean Savers

Stainless Steel is becoming increasingly popular in modern construction (both commercial and residential), but the term ‘stainless steel’ can be a bit misleading.

Stainless steel is certainly more hard wearing than many other metals such as iron (that can rust) but it is far from being stainless.  Subjected to the elements over a period of time all grades and finishes of stainless steel will break down.  Damage can include tea-staining, pitting and etching.

The extent of damage will depend on your environment. Coastal homes/buildings (in windy areas) are at the greatest risk as salt minerals in the air create salt deposits in the pores of the stainless steel.  These salt deposits oxidise on surface of the stainless steel and can cause unsightly tea-staining in a matter of weeks (one home in Marmion was affected within 3 days of installation!). Tea staining is often mistaken for rust, and makes your home look older and uncared for.  This appearance can de-value the property and be unattractive to tenants (especially in commercial buildings).

Pool surrounds are also subject to extra stress, both from the natural mineral content of the pool water and the harsh corrosive effects of any chlorinated water that may be splashed onto the stainless steel supports or balustrades. Tea staining, pitting and etching are common in pool surrounds and this can promote the build up of bacteria.

Your internal stainless steel can also suffer damage, especially in the kitchen and bathroom areas. Corrosive substances such as cleaning agents, some foods and oil based substances (like personal hygiene products e.g. hand soap or shampoo) will get into tiny pores and gaps in the surface of the stainless steel  which commonly causes staining and etching.

Stainless steel can also be quite difficult to clean as any cleaning agent residue is clearly visible.  Specialist stainless steel cleaning solutions are available but can be very costly.  It is advised to strictly adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions when cleaning stainless steel as even improper use of authorised cleaning agents can damage your stainless steel permanently. Also be aware of the cleaning chemicals you use on surfaces around the stainless steel. For example strong acids (e.g. Hydrochloric Acid) are often used to clean commercial exteriors but they will cause rapid deterioration of stainless steel (wash copiously with water if this does occur).

To prevent deterioration it is wise to install a permanent protective coating to your stainless steel.  Enduroshield is a non-stick, invisible coating, and although only 2 molecules thick, offers unbeatable protection for stainless steel surfaces.

EnduroShield can be applied in the factory or to existing stainless steel.  Both applications qualify for a 3 year warranty. All that is necessary to keep your stainless steel surfaces clean is a regular wipe with a microfibre cloth, to prevent any build-up of contaminants. By doing this, you will save up to 90% on your cleaning time, while keeping your stainless steel in the same pristine condition it was in when it was installed.

To find out more about how EnduroShield can help, please contact us or simply FreeCall 1800 015 653