U.S. General Services Administration
Technical Procedures Disclaimer
Prior to inclusion in GSA’s library of procedures, documents are reviewed by one or more qualified preservation specialists for general consistency with the Secretary of Interior Standards for rehabilitating historic buildings as understood at the time the procedure is added to the library. All specifications require project-specific editing and professional judgement regarding the applicability of a procedure to a particular building, project or location. References to products and suppliers are to serve as a general guideline and do not constitute a federal endorsement or determination that a product or method is the best or most current alternative, remains available, or is compliant with current environmental regulations and safety standards. The library of procedures is intended to serve as a resource, not a substitute, for specification development by a qualified preservation professional.
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We’ve reviewed these procedures for general consistency with federal standards for rehabilitating historic buildings and provide them only as a reference. Specifications should only be applied under the guidance of a qualified preservation professional who can assess the applicability of a procedure to a particular building, project or location. References to products and suppliers serve as general guidelines and do not constitute a federal endorsement nor a determination that a product or method is the best alternative or compliant with current environmental regulations and safety standards.
PART 1–GENERAL
1.01 SUMMARY
- This procedure includes guidance on cleaning stainless steel using a mild detergent. See also the Stainless Steel Information Center information booklet, “The Care and Cleaning of Stainless Steel”: http://www.ssina.com/download_a_file/cleaning.pdf
- See 01100-07-S for general project guidelines to be reviewed along with this procedure. These guidelines cover the following sections:
- Safety Precautions
- Historic Structures Precautions
- Submittals
- Quality Assurance
- Delivery, Storage and Handling
- Project/Site Conditions
- Sequencing and Scheduling
- General Protection (Surface and Surrounding)
These guidelines should be reviewed prior to performing this procedure and should be followed, when applicable, along with recommendations from the Historic Preservation Officer (RHPO).
1.02 QUALITY ASSURANCE
- A test area will be cleaned and reviewed by the RHPO for approval prior to commencement of work.
PART 2–PRODUCTS
2.01 MATERIALS
- Soap: Mild soap, such as “Ivory Liquid”.
- Abrasive Cleaners: Very mildly abrasive cleaner with whiting and pumice, such as “Bon Ami”, baking soda mixed with mild soap, Barkeeper’s Friend, etc.
- Car wax, such as those formulated for chromium-plated items or approved equal.
- Clean, soft cloths, chamois leather, or nylon pad (such as Scotch-Brite).
2.02 EQUIPMENT
- Natural bristle brush
- Sponge
2.03 LIMITATIONS
CLEANING AGENTS NOT TO BE USED: chloride cleaning agents, hypochloride bleaches, silver cleaners.
PART 3–EXECUTION
3.01 PREPARATION
- Prior to cleaning, mask or otherwise protect all adjoining surfaces that could be altered or damaged by the cleaning operation.
3.02 ERECTION, INSTALLATION, APPLICATION
- Wash stainless steel surface with mild detergent and clean water using a clean cloth, sponge or natural bristle brush and light pressure. Wipe dry with a clean cloth.
- Apply abrasive cleaners only if necessary and with a clean cloth, sponge or natural bristle brush. Always wipe in a consistent direction with the grain of the metal. Rinse all abrasives thoroughly from metal surface and wipe dry with a clean cloth.
- Do not apply protective coatings such as lacquers, but apply a good quality car wax as a very thin protective film.