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Care & Maintenance

Now that you have invested in a quality product, learn how to best protect and maximise your investment as well as enhance its presentation.

Invisi-Gard steel security screens

Your new Invisi-Gard Stainless Steel Security Screens have been manufactured using the highest quality materials available to the security industry. Invisi-Gard is constructed from Architectural Grade Aluminium and 316 Stainless Steel Mesh, both of which are highly resistant to corrosion and are exceptionally strong. With a moderate* amount of maintenance, your Invisi-Gard Stainless Steel Security Screens will retain their good looks, and resist the elements for years to come.

As with any valued purchase, effective maintenance is essential to prolonging the life of your products. To maintain your rights as stated in this Invisi-Gard Warranty Information and Care & Maintenance Guide, the following care and maintenance instructions must be followed:

Your Invisi-Gard Stainless Steel Security Screens should only ever need to be washed down with a soft-bristled brush using warm water and a mild detergent. Ensure to rinse well with mains water so that ALL residue is flushed from the mesh retaining areas of the frame. Only mains water is to be used as recycled, bore or tank water may lead to corrosion. Special care should be taken to avoid excessive amounts of water entering the main lock and auxiliary 3 point locks.

Strong detergents and abrasive cleaners must NEVER be used to clean your Invisi-Gard Stainless Steel Security Screens as these may scratch or damage the surface finish and increase the likelihood of corrosion.

Periodic lubrication of the main lock and auxiliary lock components should only ever be done using graphite powder. Liquid or aerosol lubricants can cause corrosion and damage the locking mechanism.

* Frequency of cleaning is largely dependent on the location of the building. In most circumstances, cleaning may be carried out every 3-4 months. Products installed close to more severe conditions such as marine or industrial environments should be cleaned every 2-4 weeks.

Mirrors

When cleaning mirrors it is important to avoid any contact with the mirror backing & edges with the nominated cleaning spirit (see Cleaning Method below) as this may cause irreversible degradation of the backing material.
As with any glass product, mirrors should only be cleaned when it is cool to touch and should never be cleaned while in direct sunlight.

Cleaning Instructions
  • Place a few drops of methylated spirits onto a clean, damp cloth. Wipe the solution over the surface of the mirror before polishing the surface dry with a clean, dry lint-free cloth.
  • Note: This information is provided as a general guide only. It does not constitute a warranty. Alpha Screens and Glass disclaims any responsibility for any specific results relating to the use of this guide or any liability for loss, damage or injury resulting from the use of this guide.

Glass

General Notes
  • Glass products must be properly cleaned both during construction and as part of a routine maintenance program in order to maintain your visual clarity
  • Improper cleaning or the use of abrasive cleaners can permanently damage the surface of your glass which can result in costly replacement
  • Any cleaning must be performed when the glass is cool to touch and should never be undertaken when the glass is in direct sunlight
  • Prompt removal of any deposits on the glass is recommended
  • Cleaning should begin at the top and continue down towards the lower levels to minimise the possibility of leaving residues on the lower levels.
  • Special Note: Select and Solarplus glass products have a high-performance coating applied to their interior surface and consequently require a more specific cleaning procedure.
Frequency
  • The frequency of cleaning is dependent on the severity of the environment. The following time periods represent a guide only.
  • Rural & Suburban Environments – the maximum period between cleaning should never be more than six (6) months.
  • Coastal, Pool & Industrial Environments – more frequent cleaning is necessary here with the maximum period between cleaning being no more than three (3) months.
  • Extreme Environments (ie. sites within 500 meters of the coastline and/or conditions involving the deposition of heavy grime and atmospheric pollutants) – monthly cleaning is advisable to prevent deterioration.

Non-Coated (Ordinary) Glass

Cleaning Instructions
  • Completely drench the glass with clean water to loosen any residues, deposits or dirt.
  • Spray one of the recommended cleaning solutions (see below) onto the glass surface.
  • Immediately remove the cleaning solution with a lint-free cloth.
  • Any stubborn dirt should be lightly sponged off being careful not to scratch the glass.
  • All traces of water and cleaning solution must be removed from the glass, window frames and visible sealant/gaskets. Failure to remove any residue may cause these components to deteriorate as a direct consequence of the cleaning process.
Recommended Cleaning Solutions
  • A mix of 1 part vinegar to 10 parts clean water, or
  • A mix of 1 part isopropyl alcohol to 1 part clean water

Solect & Solarplus Glass

These high-performance glass products are characterised by their outstanding thermal insulation and solar control performance. To achieve these qualities, a microscopically thin coating has been applied to the interior surface of these products. While this coating is extremely hard and durable it requires a particular cleaning protocol to ensure the glass maintains optimal performance and visual clarity.

Cleaning Instructions
  • Exterior Surface – as per the Cleaning Instructions above for Non-coated Glass
  • Interior Surface – Hand clean with a lint-free cloth using one of the Recommended Cleaning Products above. Do not under any circumstances use metal scrapers, squeegees and other similar implements on the interior surface as this will damage the product.

Aluminium: Powder Coated & Anodised Surfaces

Regular cleaning of your aluminium windows and doors is required to preserve the anodised or powder coated surface finish.

Deterioration of the surface finish occurs mainly as a result of grime deposition and contaminated moisture particles from the surrounding environment attaching to the aluminium surface where they can attack and cause irreparable damage to the coating. This is particularly relevant in coastal and pool environments where airborne salt and sulphur particles are prevalent.

The finish on your windows and doors should be treated and washed in a similar way to the paintwork on your car.

Frequency

The frequency of cleaning is dependent on the severity of the environment. The following time periods represent a guide only.

  • Rural & Suburban Environments – the maximum period between cleaning should never be more than six (6) months.
  • Coastal, Pool & Industrial Environments – more frequent cleaning is necessary here with the maximum period between cleaning being no more than three (3) months.
  • Extreme Environments (ie. sites within 500 meters of the coastline and/or conditions involving the deposition of heavy grime and atmospheric pollutants) – monthly cleaning is advisable to prevent deterioration.
Cleaning Instructions

Using any of the Recommended Cleaning Products mentioned below, follow the directions of use employing hand cleaning techniques.
Thoroughly rinse off any detergent residue with clean water. Hosing with pressure must be avoided under any circumstances.
Dry preferably with a chamois, or alternatively with a soft cloth. The cleaning of the product should be performed at a time that will allow the aluminium to dry quickly, preferably early in the morning.

Recommended Cleaning Products
  • Kitten Ultra Glo Wash, or
  • Turtle Wax Car Wash

Should these products not achieve the desired results try RE-PO Cream Polish or Turtle Wax Ice Speed Compound and use as per the manufacturer’s instructions.

NOTE: Use only the above-mentioned cleaning products. Do not use alternative products by the same or other manufacturers without written authorisation from Alpha Screens and Glass. Do not under any circumstances use an abrasive cleaning agent or implement as this will severely damage the surface of the material.

Maintenance

Regular maintenance is required for all hardware, including any stainless steel components.

Frequency

In most environments maintenance is recommended every six (6) months and every three (3) months in coastal, pool and industrial environments.

Hardware

The internal workings of locks, handles, catches etc. should be kept in good working order by applying a light spray of graphite powder into the area(s) of any moving parts. The external finish of all hardware must be kept clean by removing any harmful residue, especially salt spray, from the surface using a non-abrasive cleaning agent and wiped down with a soft cloth moistened with WD40 or RP7.

When maintaining either internal or external hardware, ensure that all finished surfaces (eg. timber, aluminium etc.) in close proximity are well protected from exposure to any cleaning or lubricating agents.

All tracks and sills must be kept clear of dirt, debris and other matter which can cause damage to, and restrict the proper functioning of rollers, guides and drop bolts.

Note: This information is provided as a general guide only. It does not constitute a warranty. Alpha Screens and Glass disclaims any responsibility for any specific results relating to the use of this guide or any liability for loss, damage or injury resulting from the use of this guide.

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