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Important information about 304 Grade Stainless Steel Products

The stainless steel hardware items that are listed as “304 Grade” stainless steel contain the following characteristics:

304 grade stainless steel products are made from a low carbon steel that contains a Chromium alloy.
304 stainless steel contains at least 15% chromium and up to 10% nickel.
The Chromium alloy gives the steel its unique corrosion resistant properties.

Stainless steels are very resistant to, but not immune from rust. Stainless Steels will rust over time, and therefore regular cleaning is required to help prevent rust deposits from occurring, and to extend the life of the product.

Stainless steel will corrode, discolour, and develop rust spots in accordance with the environment in which it is installed. Salt air environments will generally require more cleaning and maintenance, and a higher grade stainless steel (316 marine grade) is generally more suitable for these conditions.

Substances that should not come into contact with your stainless steel hardware:

Hydrochloric Acid (used for cleaning brick walls and paths, tiles and concrete). The stainless steel hardware should be completely removed before any such cleaning is performed in proximity to the hardware.
Chlorine based products and cleaners (bleaches, etc)
Bore water (high iron content)
Cement dust
Soap concentrates

General Cleaning and Maintenance:

Stainless steel does not have an outer coating, so you can use mildly abrasive substances such as Ajax or Jif for tougher marks or soap and water for general cleaning. Once cleaned, rinse the product with clean water and wipe over with a dry cloth.

Stainless steel should be cleaned at least once a month or more depending on environmental factors