Contact us on 07 5655 3318 or info@apexshutters.com.au

Operation & Maintenance Guide

How to operate your Shutters…

It is important to operate your shutters correctly to ensure you do not cause any unnecessary damage or void your warranty terms and conditions.

Operation is simple and if you follow these simple rules your Shutters should last well beyond the warranty period.

Operation

  1. To rotate blades, gently push or pull the side control in the desired direction.
  2. Make sure that nothing has fallen near the shutter before trying to rotate the blades or open/close the shutter.
  3. Never force or put unnecessary pressure on the blades or shutter.
  4. The louvres of the shutter are used to control the light entering a room, but where access to the window is required for opening or cleaning the window, the shutter panels can be swung out of the way. It is expected that the panel will need to be lifted or assisted back into the window frame when closing, to support the panel and avoid damage to the window frame. To maintain structural integrity, shutter panels should be returned to their closed position promptly.
  5. When Bi-folding panels, close the blades before folding away.  This will help to prevent damage which may be caused by blades touching blades.
  6. If sliding panels, close the blades before moving panels, unless designed to slide with blades open.
  7.  Maintain the installation fitting in good working order.
  8. Keep bottom tracks free from dirt and grit.

Cleaning and Maintenance

  1. Dusting with a soft dry duster on regular basis
  2. Cleaning any fingerprints or marks with a damp cloth
  3. Do NOT use any harsh chemicals or abrasives.
  4. Do NOT use any ammonia-based cleaning products.
  5. Depending on your location, we recommend a wipe and occasional silicon spray on all moving parts (i.e. hinges, wheels, guides etc.).

Stainless Steel Product Care

The window and door industry manufactures a significant amount of hardware from various grades of stainless steel. The intent of this document is to clarify and advise on the best practice for this increasingly popular material.

Material Specification

Stainless steel is a low-carbon steel that contains at least 10 percent chromium. The addition of chromium gives the steel its unique corrosion-resisting properties. Most architectural stainless steel products are fabricated from ‘304’ stainless steel, which contains 18- 20 percent chromium and 8-10 percent nickel. It is extremely durable, resists corrosion, stands up to many chemicals, and is easy to fabricate. ‘316’ marine grade stainless steel is popular due to its improved ability to resist pitting and crevice corrosion.

All Apex Shutters & Blinds stainless steel components are constructed using 300 series stainless steel, with cast items in 316 grade. To further safeguard against corrosion, All Apex Shutters & Blinds is one of only a few global companies to passivate all visual stainless steel surfaces and electro-polish all cast stainless steel components. This removes contaminates and greatly reduces the onset of surface rusting and discoloration. In addition to these extra processes, Apex Shutters & Blinds also offers PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition) as a finish which is a coating process that produces a thin, hard surface layer with exceptional wear and corrosion resistance.

Surface Discoloration “Tea Staining”

Stainless steels are very resistant to corrosion; however this does not mean they are impervious. Stainless steel products can develop corrosion or discolouration due to environmental and installation conditions.

Tea staining (brown discolouration on the surface of stainless steel) is a relatively common occurrence in coastal and marine environments or when in contact with water containing significant chlorides. High temperatures, humidity, wind and salt deposits from sea spray are all contributing factors to this staining that generally becomes progressively worse closer to the coast. Aesthetically unpleasant, tea staining does not affect the structural integrity, or longevity of the material.

The following is a list of common conditions that cause corrosion or discolouration of stainless steel and should be avoided:

  • Chloride containing cleansers – this includes bleach and any bleach containing cleaners
  • Muriatic acid (hydrochloric acid) – commonly used to clean up after tile / concrete installation
  • Concentrated soap residue – chemical additives will cause discoloration
  • Water with high iron content – can leave a rusty residue, especially if allowed to drip continuously
  • Contact with iron materials – including steel wool, machining chips/swarf, and iron residue/dust from installation or cleaning of other steel products
  • Trapped moisture between the product and another object
  • Salts – contain chlorides

Stainless Steel Care & Maintenance

Any discolouration or corrosion should be removed as soon as possible or permanent discolouration and pitting of the surface could occur. Usually, the product can be restored to its original condition. Most of the discolouration can be removed with a mild cleaner (Ajax Powder, warm water mixture with baking powder) or stainless steel cleaners (Goddard’s Stainless Steel Cleaner, CRC Xtra Shine etc.) and a Scotchbrite pad. The surface should then be thoroughly rinsed with clear water and dried with a soft cloth. With proper maintenance, stainless steel will maintain its lustre and appearance indefinitely.

If the environmental conditions cannot be removed (i.e. salt or chlorine in the air), the item should be cleaned often and rinsed with clear water to prevent permanent damage to the stainless steel.

In coastal or marine environments Apex Shutters & Blinds recommends applying a light application of corrosion preventative such as CRC Marine 66 or Inox for Marine, to all surfaces and using a dry cloth to remove excess. When using lubricant or corrosion protection compounds, be careful to avoid the adjacent surfaces and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

We recommend cleaning these fittings at least every three months.

Remember should your shutters start operating in a way that seems incorrect it is best to contact us immediately as further damage maybe caused.