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※ How to remove rust
How to clean rusted parts
1. Rust spots in early stage
- Rust spots in early stage mean that the stainless steel itself is not severely affected,
thus mild detergent or any commercially available cleaning agent will restore original
state. Rust will be removed with ease and at low cost if regular cleaning is done
at appropriate intervals.
2. Red rust
- Rust spots that are not removed after a short period of time will turn into thick reddish
-brown rust and will damage the surface of the stainless steel. These are much harder
to remove and the surface will not be fully restored; thus, it is important to remove rust
spots early on.
If commercially available cleaning agents do not work, use sandpaper or a stainless
steel brush to remove the rust before applying the agent for easier removal.
This process requires treatment, such as refurbishment after cleaning.
3. Rust from iron
- Rust from coming into contact with welding spatter, rust from the metal bar above
the stainless steel part, or contact between the stainless steel parts and general metal
parts are caused galvanic corrosion. This causes the metal to rust first, and it will
eventually cause the stainless steel to rust too if it is not removed. As such, make sure
to clean and remove rust immediately with a mild detergent. However, when the rust
has gotten really bad, it must be removed with 15% nitric acid solution
or commercially available stainless steel cleaner.
4. Rust from exhaust gas or acid rain
- In environments, such as a factory complex or heavy transport sites, the product
will become contaminated in a short amount of time due to exhaust fumes or acid rain
and rust spots will quickly form. Light rust can be washed off with a mild detergent or
soapy water, but heavy rust will require 15% nitric acid solution or commercially available
stainless steel cleaner.
5. Rust from salt deposit
- In environments, such as windowsills or pipes on the porches of an apartment complex,
that are close to the seashore where the product may be directly exposed to the sea
winds, STS304 or STS316 will get rusted in no time, and this will occur much faster
than in other types of environments. These cases require special treatment, such as
using painted stainless steel or regular cleaning.
6. Rusts from disinfectants or cleaning agents
- Sites, such as pools or public baths, that use chlorine-based agents to sterilize the water,
especially those for cleaning bathrooms, contain chlorine content that attaches to
and rusts the stainless steel surface. Thus, it is important to thoroughly wash off such
agents after using them, and a 15% nitric acid solution or commercially available
stainless steel cleaner are required for removing this type of rust.
Cautions for cleaning the external panel(stainless steel)
