Maintenance Recommendations

All Street Furniture NZ products need to be maintained on a periodic basis. Airborne contaminants, including salt deposits and industrial pollution which settle on surface areas, can attack and adversely affect the finish and must be regularly removed.

Frequency of Maintenance

Normal Environments – Every 6 months or sooner

Harsh Environments (coastal or industrial) – Every 3 months or sooner

Hazardous Environments (marine or atmospheric pollution) – Every month

As each environment is unique and the level of vandalism varied, more frequent maintenance schedules may be necessary to properly maintain the product.

Timber

Timber is a natural and durable material. Timbers naturally expand and contract depending on the atmospheric moisture conditions and need to be maintained to ensure its appearance and durability. It is industry best practice to regularly coat exterior wood products with a hi-quality timber protection oil to extend the product life and appearance and minimize the atmospheric impacts (refer manufacturers instructions).

Hardwood Leaching

Most hardwoods used in the manufacturing of our furniture are prone to tannin leaching when installed outside. The leaching period lasts for about 8 weeks, depending on the weather. Clients must be aware that the residue may stain concrete or paved surfaces initially but the staining will gradually fade away on its own. You may accelerate removal of the stains by applying a cleaner (e.g. 30 Seconds) to the surface with a light scrubbing.

Maintenance Directions:

• Using a clean soft cloth or sponge, wash all timber surfaces with clean fresh water to remove any contaminants paying close attention to areas not exposed to rain wash. Allow to dry completely.
• To remove graffiti, etc. or to smooth rough surfaces, lightly sand the timber using fine grit (150-180grit) sandpaper. Be careful not to remove too much of the surface.
• If the timber is supplied with a stain/oil, regular maintenance and reapplication of the stain will be necessary to keep up the appearance and durability. Please refer to the manufacturer’s instructions on maintenance.
• If the timber is supplied with a Maxwax or Graffiti Guard coating, maintenance and reapplication of the coating will be necessary to keep up the appearance and durability. Please refer to the maintenance instructions for those specific products.

Powder Coated and Two Part Epoxy Surfaces

All finished surfaces must be properly maintained to ensure its appearance and durability.

Maintenance Directions:

• Allow at least 1 month from delivery of items before initial cleaning to allow the finish to completely set. Avoid contact with other construction materials such as concrete, asphalt, plaster, other paint, etc. If any other material does come in contact with the finish, ensure that it is quickly removed before any drying sets in. Failure to remove such materials at this early stage will potentially cause early surface deterioration.
• Wash surfaces with a diluted solution of fresh warm water (around 40°C, not hot water) and a mild pH neutral liquid detergent. Good quality car shampoos or deck cleaning detergents can be used. Be sure to read all manufacturers’ directions to make sure it is safe for use on painted surfaces. We strongly recommend that a small area that is not visible be tested first.
• Apply using a soft cloth or sponge. Pay particular attention to the areas that are not exposed to rain wash and ensure these areas are thoroughly washed. For more difficult areas use a soft bristle brush. Do not use any abrasive cleaners or tools. Rinse thoroughly & completely with clean fresh water ensuring all residues are removed.
• Do not use any strong solvents or chemical cleaners such as acetates, paint thinners, methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) or petrol based products nor any solvents containing esters, ketones, or chlorine.
• Please note that prolonged contact with chemically active sediments such as bird dropping can reduce the life of the finish so it is important that these are cleaned off as soon as possible. If surfaces have become dull from extended UV exposure, it may be possible to revive the surface by polishing with a clean soft cloth
  

  Powder Coated Surfaces Only:

  · If solvents are required to remove graffiti, etc., use a soft cloth dampened with a little bit of white or methylated spirits. Ensure that the contact time is a short as possible and rinse the solvent thoroughly from the surface as soon as possible with lots of clean fresh water.

  Galvanised Only Mild Steel Surfaces

  Maintenance Directions:

  · Using a clean soft cloth or sponge, wash all galvanised surfaces with clean fresh water to remove any contaminants paying close attention to areas not exposed to rain wash. For difficult areas, use a soft bristle brush to remove built up grime. Do not use any abrasive cleaners or tools. Rinse thoroughly & completely with clean fresh water ensuring all residues are removed. · Dry completely.

  Unfinished Stainless Steel Surfaces

  Maintenance Directions:

  · Wash all stainless steel surfaces with a diluted solution of fresh water and a mild liquid dish washing detergent to remove all containments. Be sure to read all manufacturers’ directions to make sure it is safe for use on stainless steel. · Apply using a soft cloth or sponge. Pay particular attention to the areas that are not exposed to rain and ensure these areas are thoroughly washed. For bead blasted finished stainless steel use a soft bristle brush to remove grime. Do not use any abrasive cleaners or tools. Rinse thoroughly & completely with clean fresh water ensuring all residues are removed. · For mirror finished stainless steel products, a polish may be necessary using a metal polishing liquid to remove surface scratches.

  Discolouration:

  Occasionally, discolouration of the stainless steel may occur. The most common reasons are below. · Iron contamination: This is when the stainless steel has come into contact with a mild steel or cast iron objects. Small particles from the object are transferred on to stainless steel and eventually deteriorate making it look like the stainless steel has rusty spots. When this happens, these stains can be removed by using a mild domestic cleanser or a stainless steel polishing agent. Common scenarios are when mild steel tools are used to install a stainless steel cycle rack or when supermarket trolleys run into stainless steel bollards. · Tea Staining: This is when the surface of the stainless steel is discoloured due to corrosive elements. It is a cosmetic issue only and does not affect the structural integrity or the life span of the stainless steel. Tea staining occurs most commonly within 5km of a marine environment. A regular maintenance schedule as outlined above will deter tea staining from occurring.

  Unfinished Aluminium Surfaces

  Maintenance Directions:

  · Wash all surfaces with a diluted solution of fresh water and a mild liquid dish washing detergent to remove all containments. Be sure to read all manufacturers’ directions to make sure it is safe for use on aluminium. · Apply using a soft cloth or sponge. Pay particular attention to the areas that are not exposed to rain wash and ensure these areas are thoroughly washed. For difficult areas, use a soft bristle brush to remove grime. Do not use any abrasive cleaners or tools. Rinse thoroughly & completely with clean fresh water ensuring all residues are removed. · Buff out surfaces as needed with a non-abrasive cleaner. Be sure to read all manufacturers’ directions to make sure it is safe for use on aluminium.

  Hardware

  All fixing hardware, bolts, screws, etc. should be checked and retightened as necessary to maintain optimum product functionality.