Powder coating is especially good for products that live outdoors. It not only protects such articles it also beautifies them. Powder-coated articles include a wide range of products as your letterboxes, window joinery, meter boxes, plant pots, lawnmowers, and many other everyday items. Atmospheric pollution, ultraviolet light, dirt, airborne salt, and grime can accumulate over time and its effect can be adverse on the material if they are not removed at regular intervals.
The frequency of recommended cleaning may vary depending on:
● The environment – if the environment is dry; has minor condensation or high moisture. Is there a significant threat of contamination (interior) or a city, rural, industrial or coastal environment (exterior)?
● The conditions – if it is a severe or tropical condition (exterior), general or moderate condition (interior), or mild conditions.
These factors will influence the life of the powder coating:
● Ultraviolet light
● Levels of atmospheric pollution including, dirt, grime, salts that accumulate over time
● Airborne debris carried by the wind can cause erosive wear of the coating e.g. sand causing Abrasion
● Environmental changes e.g. if rural became industrial
● Microclimates eg. geothermal, alkaline or acidic
Recommended Care and Maintenance Schedule
Cleaning a minimum of every twelve months is recommended in environments with low pollutant and low salt, and urban usage. A cleaning program at a minimum of every six months is recommended in areas where pollutants, salts, and corrosivity levels are high and common, e.g. industrial areas or beachfront houses. Other areas that may require more frequent cleaning are sheltered areas having a higher risk of coating degradation because wind-blown salt and other pollutants may adhere to the surface and may not go off when it rains. The table will help you to identify the recommended minimum cleaning schedule for your project. The table cites AS4312 and ISO12944 Atmospheric corrosivity zones
in Australia to define the environmental conditions.
How to Clean your Powder Coating
Care and maintenance schedules are important to ensure the maximization of the life of the asset whether the project is commercial or residential.
Follow these 3 easy steps to clean your powder coating:
1. Use a wet sponge to carefully remove any loose surface deposits by gently rubbing the surface.
2. With a soft brush (non-abrasive) dipped in a dilute solution of a mild detergent, for Example pH-neutral liquid hand or dishwashing detergent in warm water, clean by gently rubbing the surface to remove dust, salt, and other deposits. Use only recommended solvents (e.g. Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) or methylated spirits ) for stubborn stains on the affected area, and rinse off with clean water. Avoid using other aggressive solvents.
3. Rinse the surfaces with clean fresh water after cleaning to remove all residues.
The Do’s & Don’ts of protecting your powder coating
Do’s:
● Protect all powder coated joinery- follow the manufacturer’s instruction. When building, renovating, painting, or plastering around powder-coated assets use approved tapes and films.
● Remove redundant paint & sealants- remove all paint splatters or excess sealant immediately before they dry.
● Use only recommended solvents for stubborn stains- Use Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) or methylated spirits only before rinsing off with clean fresh water.
● Carry out a regular inspection on your powder coating and clean more regularly if required.
● Clean in mild conditions- carry out the cleaning of powder-coated surfaces when the surface temperatures are below 25°C.
Don’t:
● Do not use aggressive solvents like turpentine, white spirits, thinners, citrus-based cleaners or others should on powder coating.
● Do not rub powder-coated surfaces excessively, especially metallic finishes.
● Do not allow the sunscreen to come into contact with coated surfaces as they adversely affect powder-coated finishes.
● Do not neglect the recommended care and maintenance schedules.