Care and Maintenance
of Eagle Aluminium
Products
Installation
Incorrectly installed products may not function correctly and may get
damaged as a result. Eagle Aluminium and National Glass are in no way
responsible for the installation of Eagle Aluminium products.
During installation Eagle Aluminium products must be protected from
construction residue and damage. It is highly recommended that the
protective plastic wrapping remains on all products until the site has
been completed. Once all construction work is complete, products
must be cleaned before being operated. Mortar that may settle on the
product during construction should be washed away with clean water
immediately. Wet mortar could stain the aluminium, while the removal
of dry mortar will damage the aluminium finish, also potentially
scratching the glass.
Cleaning
It is inevitable that atmospheric pollutants, dirt and grime will settle on
aluminium products. If not removed regularly, these deposits may
cause damage to the finish, as well as pitting and corrosion of the
aluminium itself. In more extreme cases, this damage may not be
reversible or repairable, if not regularly maintained. See back pages for
guidelines on cleaning.
The type and frequency of cleaning will vary, depending on the
location, weather conditions, rainfall and personal preferences
regarding appearance. We recommend cleaning and checking at the
following intervals:
Normal Environment
Coastal Environment
Industrial environment
Extreme Coastal Environment
(Within 400m of high water mark)
every 12months
every 3 months
every 3 months
every month
Maintenance
General
Check that all doors and windows close correctly, as doors or windows
that do not close securely will not be weatherproof, and may leak.
Glazing
Check for loose glazing rubber. Age and exposure to sunlight may
shrink glazing rubber causing it to pull out at the corners or shrink back
leaving gaps. Either re-insert the rubber or replace it.
Drainage holes and slots
Check for blocked drainage holes or slots. Blockages will cause water
build-up and the product may then leak through the joints. Ensure that
all dirt or obstructions are cleared from the outlets.
Corrosion
Check for any corrosion. Remove as per cleaning instructions on the
following page (Guidelines for Cleaning Aluminium)
Lubrication
All moving parts, including hinges, handles, locks, cylinders, frictionstays and wheels, need to be regularly cleaned and lubricated.
Windows
Check for sashes that won’t open freely. This happens if the sash is
twisted, the friction stays are too tight, or if the building has settled,
causing the aluminium to bow. If the sash is twisted, you will need to
replace it. If the stays are too tight, adjust them using the setting screw
on the inside of the friction stay.
Doors
Check for doors sticking or jamming. This could be due to dirt, lack of
lubrication or misalignment during installation. You will need to re-align
the door and lubricate moving parts.
Sliding door rollers may need a height adjustment to ensure the door is
level and runs freely. Use a screw driver to adjust the wheels up or
down. The main reason for sliding door wheel failure is due to dirt on
the track, and/or on the wheels. It is essential to clean all of these
regularly.
Stainless Steel Hardware on Aluminium
Products
There are many grades of stainless steel but only a few of these are
used in the building industry. It must be understood that stainless steel
is not in fact stainless, but does not stain, corrode or rust as easily as
normal steel. It forms a natural “self-healing” oxide layer that must
remain uninterrupted and supplied with oxygen. This means that any
pollutants such as salt, dirt and grime that settle on it, and are not
removed, are likely to cause staining. This is usually easy to remove in
the early stages but if left uncleaned/untreated, can lead to more
severe staining, and even cause pitting and mild corrosion. There is a
limit to what can be achieved through cleaning, so early removal of all
contaminants is extremely important. Regular cleaning will not damage
the surface and is encouraged. A very light oiling of stainless steel
products will assist in preventing corrosion. This must NOT, however,
be done on handles or flush-bolts.
Warnings
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Ensure all cleaning products’ Material Safety Data Sheets
(MSDS) are obtained from the supplier and followed, for both
your and the environment’s safety.
Ensure you are wearing the recommended Personal
Protective Equipment (PPE) when carrying out any cleaning
operation.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions, as incorrectly applied
cleaners can damage the products finish.
Avoid excessive rubbing when cleaning.
When using cleaning materials specific to either mortar,
aluminium or stainless steel, do not allow them to come into
contact with any surface other than the one it is specific to.
Never mix cleaners.
Never use paint removers on any Aluminium or Stainless steel
Products.
Always test a small patch when using any cleaning product or
technique for the first time.
It is highly recommended that the protective plastic wrapping
remains on all products until the site has been completed.
Do not allow mortar cleaning chemicals to come into contact
with any aluminium or stainless steel product.
Guidelines for Cleaning Aluminium
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Identify the type of aluminium finish to be cleaned in order to
select an appropriate cleaning method. The finish will either be:
o Powder coated (an organic paint coating) or
o Anodized (a hard, protective surface finish created by a
controlled electrolytic oxidation process).
Eagle Aluminium’s standard colours are:
o Bronze
(powder coated)
o Matt Charcoal
(powder coated)
o Gloss White
(powder coated)
o 25micron Natural
(anodized).
Check with your supplier if you are unsure of what type
of finish you have.
Never use aggressive acid OR alkaline cleaners on aluminium
finishes. Strong solvents or abrasive cleaners can cause damage to
the finish. Test clean a small area first. Different cleaning solutions
should not be mixed.
It is preferable to clean metal when shaded. Do not attempt to
clean heated surfaces as possible chemical reactions may be
accelerated and non-uniform. Also avoid cleaning when metal
temperatures are cold enough to cause condensation. Surfaces
cleaned under these conditions may become streaked or stained
to the extent that they cannot be restored to their original
appearance.
Thoroughly rinse the surface with clean water before applying
cleaner. Minimize cleaner run-off over lower lying portions of the
building, such as walls, panels, other doors and windows etc.
Always first try a solution of warm water and mild household
detergent (before resorting to harsher cleaners).
If an aggressive cleaner is required on any other part of the
building, care must be taken that this does not come into contact
with the aluminium finishes.
Never use excessive abrasive rubbing to remove stubborn stains,
as this may have a permanent, adverse effect on the finish.
Guidelines for Cleaning Stainless Steel
For all methods, a final rinse with clean water must be applied. On
“brushed” finishes, all cleaning must be done in line with the grain of
the finish. Care must be taken when cleaning stainless steel that other
areas (i.e. powder coated or anodised aluminium surfaces) are not
contaminated or damaged by the cleaning process.
Mild Staining
Mild non-abrasive domestic cleaners or polishes may be used and
rubbed with a soft cloth. Cleaners containing Citric Acid are also
recommended.
Fresh metal filings, shavings, grit or dust
Any loose debris should be gently removed first. A saturated solution of
oxalic acid (available at most hardware stores) can then be applied with
a soft cloth and left to stand for a few minutes, without rubbing or
abrading. This should etch out any marks without leaving any scratches
or marks. A Phosphoric Acid based rust remover (also available at most
hardware stores) may also be used.
Moderate rust staining
A Phosphoric Acid based rust remover may be effective if sufficient
time and care is taken, with minimal risk of marking the surface.
Extreme caution is advised when dealing with aggressive
chemicals, acids and cleaners as they can be extremely
harmful to your health as well as any surfaces they
encounter.
Severe rust staining
Severe rust staining will require aggressive treatment and cleaning
chemicals, and is best left to professionals. At this stage replacement of
affected hardware may often be a less expensive solution.
For Stubborn Deposits
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On POWDER COATED surfaces, use nothing harsher than a soft
cloth or soft bristled brush with a mild soapy solution.
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On ANODIZED surfaces, rub gently with a worn (NOT new)
household scouring pad and mild soapy solution. Gentle rubbing
with a polishing compound applied with a soft, clean cloth is also
an acceptable method for more stubborn marks. Be aware that
excessive polishing may result in shiny areas.
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On both powder coated and anodized finishes, mineral turpentine
(NOT Lacquer Thinner!) may also be used to remove paint
splatters etc. This should always be used with PVC gloves, as it is a
mild dermal irritant.
Eagle Aluminium products are distributed by:
t: 086 11 77751 f: 086 11 00070 www.natglass.co.za