How Should Anodized Aluminum Tubing Be Cared for After Fabrication?
Initiate cleaning procedures for aluminum as soon as it is practical to do so after installation is completed to remove construction soils and accumulated environmental soils and discolorations. The simplest way to remove light soils is to flush the surface with water using moderate pressure. After the surface is air-dried, if soil is still present, scrub it with a brush or sponge and try concurrent spraying with water. If soils still adhere, use a mild detergent cleaner with brushing or sponging. Use uniform pressure to wash it—first horizontally then vertically. Thoroughly rinse the surface with clean water. You must take certain precautions when cleaning anodized aluminum surfaces. First, identify the finish to select the appropriate cleaning method. Never use aggressive alkaline or acid cleaners. Avoid cleaning hot, sun-heated surfaces because possible chemical reactions will be highly accelerated, resulting in nonuniform cleaning. Strong organic solvents, while not harmful to anod
