Metal Sales Residential - Manual (Page 47)

© Metal Sales Manufacturing Corporation / Subject to change without notice 6/14
46
RESIDENTIAL DESIGN GUIDE Care and Maintenance
Though factory applied pre-painted finishes are very durable and will last many years, eventually it may be desirable to
thoroughly clean or repaint them.
Dirt pickup may cause apparent discoloration of the paint when it has been exposed in some dirt laded atmospheres for
long periods of time. In areas of strong sunlight, slight chalking may cause some change in appearance. A good clean-
ing will often restore the appearance of these buildings and render repainting unnecessary. An occasional light cleaning
will help maintain a good appearance.
In many cases, simply washing the building with plain water using a hose or pressure sprayer will be adequate. In areas
where heavy dirt deposits dull the surface, a cloth or soft bristle brush and solution of water and detergent ( 1 /
3
cup of
laundry detergent per gallon of water for example) may be used. This should be followed by an adequate rinse of water.
Do not use wire brushes, abrasives, or cleaning tools which will scratch the coating surface.
Mildew may occur in areas subject to high humidity but is not normally a problem due to the high inherent mildew resis-
tance of the baked finish that is used. However, mildew can grow on dirt and spore deposits in some cases. To remove
mildew along with the dirt, the following solution is recommended.
1 /
3
cup detergent (Tide ® or equivalent)
2 /
3
cup trisodium phosphate (Solex ® or equivalent)
1 quart of 5% sodium hypochlorite solution (Clorox ® or equivalent)
3 quarts of water
Strong solvents and abrasive type cleaners should be avoided. Most organic solvents are flammable and toxic, and
must be handled accordingly. When using a solvent, consult maintenance professionals and label instructions for proper
handling and disposal of washings. If required, a mild solvent such as mineral spirits can be used to remove caulking
compounds, oil, grease, tars, wax, and similar substances. Use a cloth dampened with mineral spirits and apply only to
areas which are contaminated. Follow up the use of this mild solvent with detergent cleaning and rinsing.
DO NOT USE A
WIRE BRUSH
USE MILD DETERGENT AND WATER
FOR HEAVY DIRT DEPOSITS
HOSE OR PRESSURE SPRAY
FOR ADEQUATE CLEANING