Care tips
Stainless steel is an almost indestructible material which, when handled correctly, offers an almost eternally consistent appearance.
Inadequate cleaning, over-chlorination or foreign particles can lead to corrosion. The first stains must be removed quickly to avoid larger corrosion spots.
This can be done in several ways:
Mechanical:
Fine sandpaper (Scotch Brite or a household sponge) can be used for smaller corrosion spots. Care must be taken to work in the grinding direction of the material so that no grinding marks are visible after application. For bare, non-sanded surfaces, this should be
Chemical:
There are various aggressive agents for chemical corrosion stain removal. In general, the cleaners require a reaction time. Complete drying must not take place, as this would be counterproductive and would lead to stains. Observe the manufacturer’s instructions regarding contact time, protective equipment and environmentally friendly disposal of residues.
Nitric acid:
If you do not achieve satisfactory results with the stainless steel cleaners, you can use nitric acid (recommended mixing ratio 1:3). This acid is usually available in pharmacies or from stainless steel pool manufacturers. Attention: Special care must be taken when handling the acid! Subsequent passivation is recommended in order to reactivate the surface layer of the stainless steel more quickly. Appropriate passivating agents are available from the manufacturers for this purpose.
Stain:
If stainless steel cleaners and/or nitric acid are not sufficient for cleaning, pickling chemicals can be used. There are different degrees of strength, but not all staining chemicals may be used in private households. A poison procurement license is required for stronger seed dressings. In the case of lighter pickling agents, which can also be obtained from stainless steel manufacturers, care must be taken to ensure that the pickling agent is completely removed after application and an appropriate exposure time.
Stainless steel (surface) cleaner:
These are usually commercially available and generally help with light brown discoloration. It is also relatively easy to remove limescale deposits or grease residues.
Electrochemical removal:
You need the appropriate equipment for electrochemical cleaning. In combination with chemical agents, the stain is removed abrasively from the surface by the current.