KC Restoration

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Lacquer Coatings for Durability and Appearance

 

Metal fabrication is a vital industry that supports the world’s infrastructure and economy. Some form of metal appears in our lives every day from household appliances to vehicles. Metals like carbon steel, stainless steel and aluminum make many aspects of life possible and many metal products are simply indispensable in today’s society, provided they’re properly finished and protected.

Some raw metal without proper finishing can tarnish and corrode. Unfinished metal parts are eroded by salts, weakened by ultraviolet light and rusted by rain. Corroding metal is a problem. Preventive measures, can delay or eliminate corrosion, and the right coating can form a protective barrier to further delay corrosion, especially when the coating is maintained.

Picking the right coating can be daunting with so many to choose from.  Lacquers and water-based urethanes come in a range of clear or pigmented coatings. Lacquer dries by solvent evaporation to produce a hard, durable finish. Urethanes dry as the thinner in the product evaporates; then the product cures while its polymer chains cross-link.  The finish can be of any sheen level from matte to a high gloss. These finishes are usually harder and more durable than oil-based or latex paints, and are typically used on hard and smooth surfaces.

Lacquer is usually applied as a clear coating, allowing you to still view the surface texture and design. Many metals surfaces can be attractive without the need for a colored coating; this is when lacquer or clear urethanes are most useful.

Lacquer and urethane form a clear protective layer on metals and are particularly useful on bronze, brass, aluminum, silver and copper, which often form decorative items. Lacquer is regularly used on ornamental brass and on the surface of finely machined steel. This ensures that the metal surface from the day the initial finish was produced remains protected throughout the life of the lacquer or urethane. 

Contact KC Restoration today for more information regarding lacquer coatings for your metal surfaces.

 

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Tips to Help Save Metal Surfaces from Corrosion During Winter

  

Cold weather, ice and snow are all on the way.  Soon you will be calling a contractor to remove snow and ice from many surfaces to prevent accidents on your property.  This is an important safety measure to ensure building occupants and visitors do not slip and fall, but materials that help melt the ice and snow take a toll on many exterior and interior metal surfaces.

Did you know that the chloride ion molecules in deicers interact with the metal in an electrochemical reaction which accelerates the metal molecule’s interaction (oxidation) with the surrounding oxygen into metal-oxide molecules? This results in what is commonly called rust.

When ice melt is not cleared away from your metal, bronze, stainless steel, aluminum or anodized aluminum siding, corrosion begins. Metal corrosion is a concern primarily in parking garages due to the steel rebar that is in the concrete to reinforce it.

The common dry non chloride deicers that are used to avoid corrosion are CMA (Calcium Magnesium Acetate), sodium acetate and urea. The primary non chloride liquid for anti-icing use on pavement is potassium acetate. Note that none of these chemicals have the word “chloride” in them.

A few chloride-based deicers are claiming to be “less corrosive”. These products contain 95 – 99 percent chlorides and have about one 1 percent CMA added. CMA costs about 20 times as much per pound as salt; this is why only a “pinch” can be added to a common deicer. There is currently no evidence supporting the claim that adding any amount CMA to salt helps reduce the corrosiveness of chlorides.

If the price non-corrosive deicer exceeds your budget, there are some steps you can take to minimize the corrosion process and avoid costly repairs:

  1. Place mats both outside and inside all entrances
  2. Increase frequency of cleanings
  3. Try to keep the snowmelt from building up on any of your metal
  4. Once warmer temperatures arrive, pressure wash areas exposed to ice melt

For more information on how to protect and maintain your building’s exterior through the winter, contact KC Restoration today. We are the trusted experts in restoration, beautification and preservation.

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Don’t Forget About the Exterior Furniture at Your Facility!

Outdoor furniture can transform the way your facility exterior appears to those driving or walking by or coming into your facility. When clean and fresh, outdoor furniture can create a welcoming and appealing environment. When old, dingy and dirty, outdoor facility furniture can create a negative impact on its appearance.

While these pieces are designed to withstand the beating sun and pouring rain, harsh outdoor elements can damage furniture. Know how to take care of your outdoor furniture to protect it through severe weather and the wear of time. Proper storage, monthly spot cleaning, and annual deep cleaning can make your furniture last for years to come.

How to your clean your furniture depends on what it is made of. Never use corrosive cleaners like bleach unless directed by the furniture manufacturer. Whenever you are using a new solution, test it on a piece of the furniture that cannot be seen before using it on the whole piece.

Keep your outdoor furniture in good repair with a light cleaning at least once a month, even if it doesn’t look like it needs it. This can be as easy as wiping it down with a wet rag or dusting it off with a soft-bristle broom. If you see bird droppings, sap, or a stain starting to develop, clean the area immediately. Bird droppings can be corrosive and cause damage if not cleaned immediately.

Metal Furniture

Most often, metal furniture is made of iron, steel, or aluminum. Since iron and steel rust, most metal furniture has a rust-resistant coating. But bird droppings can still destroy your furniture’s protective finish. Wash off any droppings as soon as you see them. If your furniture has rust or mold, use fine-grit sandpaper to remove it from the furniture. Wipe it clean with a soapy solution.

Coating on metal surfaces with custom colors can also give metal pieces a durable, long lasting finish. Coatings are tested for the reactions with cleaners and salts to help extend the life of the coating’s appearance.

Wood Furniture

 

If your wooden patio furniture has been coated with exterior-grade varnish, you can clean it with a solution of oil-based mild soap and water. Just a few drops of soap will do the trick! Soft woods, like cedar, should be scrubbed with the direction of the wood grain. Wipe the furniture with a wet rag; never hose it down, this can cause mold and mildew. Dry it with a towel. With most wood furniture, you should give it a coat of oil after cleaning, but check with the manufacturer first.

Fabric Furniture and Cushions

Outdoor fabrics for patio furniture undergo chemical treatments to increase moisture and stain resistance. While these fabrics are hardy, that doesn’t mean you should leave them outside. One rain storm can ruin cushions, making the padding clumpy and adding grime. Worse yet, if the water seeps down into the cushion padding, mold can start to grow.

Outdoor fabrics are extremely durable but that doesn’t mean you can wash them any way you like. Before using a new solution on your cushions, test it in a small, unnoticeable section. Spot-clean your cushions using a solution of ¼ cup mild detergent in a gallon of water. Do not machine wash or dry your pillows and cushions unless the manufacturer lists otherwise. Be sure pillows and cushions are completely dry before storage to avoid mold and mildew.

For more information about exterior furniture contact KC Restoration today. We can perform a free evaluation for deep cleaning and restoring your exteriors that need attention.

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Increase Building Occupant Satisfaction with Metal Refinishing

 

  

Many facility and property managers struggle with how to transform outdated and worn entrances, elevators and other metal interior surfaces into clean, modern and appealing finishes that will enhance the image of their facility.

Managers often want shiny stainless steel or custom patina, but they worry about the cost of purchasing and installing brand new metal assets. However, there is a more cost-effective solution. You can achieve the look you want for your metal finishes with refinishing services. Metal refinishing transforms the look of existing metal at a fraction of the cost of replacement.

Many organizations face tremendous pressure to increase tenant and visitor satisfaction scores through superior aesthetic value and cleanliness. Professional refinishing services helps to attain these goals. Worker satisfaction is essential to the success of any business. A well-maintained facility makes occupants and visitors feel safe, comfortable and confident. Building materials, maintenance programs and other aspects can all influence perceptions.

From entryways to elevators to bathrooms, the look and feel of a building makes a difference. Dirty and damaged surfaces can degrade the experience of a visitor and occupant, but proactive maintenance and restoration services can help ensure a positive experience.

When it’s time to revitalize the look of a building, consider metal restoration instead of replacement and avoid the cost and inconvenience of installing new assets. Our team of experts can help you upgrade the image of your facility by restoring any satin, mirror, stainless, copper, aluminum, bronze or brass finishes. Our technicians can work around your schedule to complete the job on time while minimizing disruptions to visitors and staff. For more information, contact KCR today!

 

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KC Restoration, LLC
1465 N. Winchester St., Olathe, KS 66061
913-766-2200