Oh, we like being by the sea… but stainless steel?
Well, the simple answer is no, not really. Coastal areas are one of the harshest environments with high levels of salt in the air, high winds and abundant gifts of seagulls which, when applied to stainless steel products, will begin to eat away at the surface and tarnish the finish if not handled. give them regular maintenance.
Are there different types of stainless steel that can be used?
Absolutely. The main thing to make sure is that your supplier is using G316 (marine grade) stainless steel and not G304 material that is only meant to be used internally.
There are two main surface finishes of stainless steel; satin (brushed) and mirror (bright) polished.
The satin finish stainless steel material has a brushed “grain” that will accumulate salt and contaminants that can begin to deteriorate the steel. Satin polished stainless steel can certainly be used on the coast, as many of our customers do, but it simply requires a higher level of continual cleaning and maintenance.
However, mirror-polished stainless steel is a smooth, grain-free finish that offers greater protection from the coastal elements. The mirror polish option is more expensive but would require less maintenance than a brushed finish alternative.
Will stainless material rust in coastal regions?
Stainless steel depends on its passive layer for resistance to corrosion. This is a thin layer of chromium oxide that forms on its surface when chromium is present at 10.5% or more. The underlying metal is not resistant to corrosion. The passive layer forms spontaneously on a clean surface, but can be damaged by iron contamination, airborne particles, and in particular chlorides.
Therefore, it is imperative that stainless metal be subject to an ongoing maintenance and cleaning program. Remember it’s SIN MANCHAS, not STAINLESS.
What kind of cleaning products should be used?
The main purpose is to clean salt and contaminants from the surface of the steel, which can be done with any basic cleaning agent such as soapy water. There are more sophisticated specialist products available for cleaning stainless steel, but these may only be necessary if the tea stains are widespread or difficult to remove.
The basic rule of thumb is simple, take care of stainless steel with regular cleaning, as prevention is always easier (and cheaper) than cure.
So, would you advise against the use of stainless metals by the sea?
Not at all. If budget allows, go for a mirror polished finish, but the main takeaway here is that you can’t just buy a stainless steel product and leave it in place, especially in coastal regions without cleaning it. Just clean it as often as possible. you clean your windows and doors. Take care of your stainless steel and it will look great for many years to come.