Maintenance
ALUCOMAT® Aluminium Composite Material (also known as Aluminium Composite Panel) may be cleaned at great ease.
• Routine cleaning of the ACM surface is recommended.
• It may be washed with water and mild detergent, followed by a clean water rinse.
• Do not clean sun-heated surfaces (above 40 °C) to avoid rapid drying which may lead to stain formation.
The cleaning operation must be followed by a through rinse with clean water to ensure the removal of all remnants of the cleansing agent. A final wipe down by means of a sponge, leather or wiper is necessary to avoid water stains.
After project completion, construction soils including concrete or mortar etc., should be removed as quickly as possible. In most cases, following suggested frequency would be required to keep the lacquered coated surface clean as good as it can remain.
The simplest procedure would be water rinse with moderate pressure to remove the soil. If this does not remove the soil, then a concurrent water spray with sponge should be tested. If the soil is still adhering after dry, then a mild detergent or 5-10% IPA (Isopropyl Alcohol) solution will be necessary.
When a mild detergent or 5-10% IPA solution is used for removing soil, it should be used with soft sponges and/or soft rags. The washing should be done with uniform pressure, and normally the operation is done with a horizontal motion first and then with a vertical motion. After washing, the surface should be thoroughly rinsed with clean water, and the rinsed surface is air-dried or wiped with chamois, squeegee or lint-free cloth.
Some type of mild solvent such as IPA, ethanol or N-hexane may be used to remove such stubborn stains as those caused by sealant and caulking compounds. When alcohol is used, it is safe to dilute less than 50% with water. If undiluted solution is required, pre-tests should be done at the small invisible area, to confirm no damage to the finish.
Solvents and emulsion cleaners, likely to have harmful or softening problems to the coating surface, should be also spots-tested before use.
Dilution with water or alcohol is recommended also for these cleaners. After cleaning, the remaining residues should be washed out and rinsed with water.
Do not use strong organic solvents, such as MEK (Methyl Ethyl Ketone), MIBK (Methyl Iso-butyl Ketone), Triclene and paint thinner.
Do not use strong alkali, strong acid and/or abrasive cleaners. If these solvents and cleaners were used, the paint might be swelled or removed.
Do not mix different cleaners. If cleaners needed to be mixed, please follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Avoid extreme temperature to clean the coated surface. Heat may accelerate chemical reactions and may evaporate the water from solution. Extremely low temperature may give the poor cleaning effects. On the contrary, cleaning under higher temperature may result in streaking or straining. Ideally, cleaning should be done on the shaded side of the building under moderate temperature.
Please consult with your distributor and refer to ALUCOMAT® Manual before undertaking cleaning process.
Improper cleaning resulted into coating damage shall not be covered by terms and conditions of product warranty.
Method of Cleaning
• Routine cleaning of the ACM surface is recommended.
• It may be washed with water and mild detergent, followed by a clean water rinse.
• Do not clean sun-heated surfaces (above 40 °C) to avoid rapid drying which may lead to stain formation.
The cleaning operation must be followed by a through rinse with clean water to ensure the removal of all remnants of the cleansing agent. A final wipe down by means of a sponge, leather or wiper is necessary to avoid water stains.
After project completion, construction soils including concrete or mortar etc., should be removed as quickly as possible. In most cases, following suggested frequency would be required to keep the lacquered coated surface clean as good as it can remain.
| Building Location | Frequency of Cleaning |
|---|---|
| Rural area | 0.5 times/ Year |
| Urban area | 0.5 - 1 times / Year |
| Low rainfall and/or coastal area | 1 times / Year |
| Heavily industrialized area | 1 - 2 times / Year |
The simplest procedure would be water rinse with moderate pressure to remove the soil. If this does not remove the soil, then a concurrent water spray with sponge should be tested. If the soil is still adhering after dry, then a mild detergent or 5-10% IPA (Isopropyl Alcohol) solution will be necessary.
When a mild detergent or 5-10% IPA solution is used for removing soil, it should be used with soft sponges and/or soft rags. The washing should be done with uniform pressure, and normally the operation is done with a horizontal motion first and then with a vertical motion. After washing, the surface should be thoroughly rinsed with clean water, and the rinsed surface is air-dried or wiped with chamois, squeegee or lint-free cloth.
Some type of mild solvent such as IPA, ethanol or N-hexane may be used to remove such stubborn stains as those caused by sealant and caulking compounds. When alcohol is used, it is safe to dilute less than 50% with water. If undiluted solution is required, pre-tests should be done at the small invisible area, to confirm no damage to the finish.
Solvents and emulsion cleaners, likely to have harmful or softening problems to the coating surface, should be also spots-tested before use.
Dilution with water or alcohol is recommended also for these cleaners. After cleaning, the remaining residues should be washed out and rinsed with water.
Do not use strong organic solvents, such as MEK (Methyl Ethyl Ketone), MIBK (Methyl Iso-butyl Ketone), Triclene and paint thinner.
Do not use strong alkali, strong acid and/or abrasive cleaners. If these solvents and cleaners were used, the paint might be swelled or removed.
Do not mix different cleaners. If cleaners needed to be mixed, please follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Avoid extreme temperature to clean the coated surface. Heat may accelerate chemical reactions and may evaporate the water from solution. Extremely low temperature may give the poor cleaning effects. On the contrary, cleaning under higher temperature may result in streaking or straining. Ideally, cleaning should be done on the shaded side of the building under moderate temperature.
Caution
Please consult with your distributor and refer to ALUCOMAT® Manual before undertaking cleaning process.
Improper cleaning resulted into coating damage shall not be covered by terms and conditions of product warranty.