General Recommendations:

– A number of essential precautions must be taken to ensure that thermosetting powder coatings, like most organic materials, retain their original appearance.
– Thermosetting powder coatings are sensitive (more or less depending on their chemical nature) to:

• Mechanical damage: scratches, wear, cuts, shocks, deformations, etc.

• Chemical damage: moisture, acids, bases, solvents, etc.

• Physical-chemical damage: light, heat, cold, etc. – Metallic finishes especially require extra care.

Consequently, the following principles must be strictly followed when cleaning painted surfaces:

• Do not use abrasive materials (scouring pads or liquid abrasives), but only a soft cloth.

• Recommended materials:

• Soft sponge

• Soft, non-abrasive cloth: cotton wool, cotton, non-woven fabric, non-linting kitchen paper

• Only white in color

• Prohibited materials:

• Scouring pads, steel wool

• Colored cloths

• Do not use aggressive products such as solvents or alkaline detergents. Instead, clean the surfaces with water or a pH-neutral detergent. Rinse them off and then dry with an absorbent cloth.

• Be mindful of places where cleaning products may accumulate.

• When cleaning with a pressure washer (such as a Kärcher), the following guidelines must be followed:

• Distance between the painted surface and the nozzle, pressure, type of nozzle (standard, rotating nozzle, brush)

• Temperature, whether or not to use a detergent

• The paint film may change color. You must take the same precautions as when cleaning a car body.

Recommended Cleaning Products:

• Pure water, soapy water

• pH-neutral detergent (from 5 to 8) + rinse with water + dry

Permitted Products: – Ethanol, Isopropanol, Household alcohol, E-benzene, F-benzene, White Spirit, De-aromatized kerosene, Window cleaning products.
It is recommended to test the product on an inconspicuous area first.

Prohibited Products: – Abrasives (liquid or powder form) – Alkaline detergents (pH>9), bleach, etc. (depending on the concentration) – Sulfuric acid, acetic acid, nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, oxalic acid, etc. (depending on the concentration) – Sodium, potassium, ammonia, etc. – Hydrocarbons and solvents: lead-free gasoline, acetone, MEK, MIBK, toluene, xylene, trichloroethylene, nail polish remover

Effects of the Chrome Effect on Cleaning the Coatings: – The chrome effect must be covered with a protective varnish, and then it can be cleaned like any other finish. – If no protective varnish is applied, this finish is very sensitive to:

• Stains (fingerprints)

• Moisture (oxidation of the aluminum)

• Scratches

• Wear

• Bases and acids

• ...

We recommend testing the products on a hidden spot before cleaning to confirm the compatibility of the products with the thermosetting coating.

In the table below, you will find more information on the compatibility of the painted surfaces with household and professional products.

These tips are provided by our consulting Systems. They are based on our experience and apply to the powders from this company. However, they do not constitute any guarantee.
The use of the product is the responsibility of the end user.