| |
|
|
     
Most of the products including Grille Guard / Brush Guard, Bull Bar, Hitch, Tail Light Guard, Side Step Nerf Bars and many other Auto and SUV accessories you see at Auto EQ are made of Heavy Duty 304 Stainless Steel.
304 Stainless Steel:
In metallurgy, stainless steel is defined as a steel alloy with a minimum of 10% chromium content by mass. Stainless steel does not stain, corrode or rust as easily as ordinary steel. It is also called corrosion resistant steel when the alloy type and grade are not detailed, particularly in the aviation industry. There are different grades and surface finishes of stainless steel to suit the environment to which the material will be subjected in its lifetime.
Type 304 is the alloy type our suppliers uses in all of their stainless steel products.
Type 304 stainless steel is a T 300 Series Stainless Steel austenitic. It has a minimum of 18% chromium and 8% nickel, combined with a maximum of 0.08% carbon. It is defined as a Chromium-Nickel austenitic alloy.
These are some of its characteristics:
- Forming and welding properties
- Corrosion/ oxidation resistance thanks to the chromium content
- Deep drawing quality
- Excellent toughness, even down to cryonegic temperatures which are defined as very low temperatures
- Low temperature properties responding well to hardening by cold working
- Ease of cleaning, ease of fabrication, beauty of appearance
One of the greatest examples of 304 stainless steel is the Gateway Arch (pictures below). Gateway Arch is an iconic image of St. Louis, Missouri USA. It is clad entirely in type 304 stainless steel.
 
Methods of Cleaning Stainless Steel:
   
| Problem |
Cleaning Agent |
Comments |
| Routine Cleaning |
Soap or mild detergent and water (Preferably warm) |
Sponge, rinse with clean water, wipe dry if necessary.
. |
| Fingerprints |
Soap and warm water or organic solvent (eg acetone, alcohol, methylated spirits) |
Rinse with clean water and wipe dry.
|
Stubborn Stains and Discolouration
|
Mild cleaning solutions, eg. Jif, specialty stainless steel cleaners. |
Use rag, sponge or fibre brush (soft nylon or natural bristle. An old toothbrush can be useful). Rinse well with clean water and wipe dry.
|
| Lime Deposits from Hard Water. |
Solution of one part vinegar to three parts water. |
Soak in solution then brush to loosen. Rinse well with clean water.
|
| Oil or Grease Marks. |
Organic solvents (eg. acetone, alcohol, methylated spirits, proprietary "safety solvents"). Baked-on grease can be softened beforehand with ammonia. |
Clean after with soap and water, rinse with clean water and dry.
|
Rust and other Corrosion Products |
Rust stains can be removed by adding one part of nitric acid to nine parts of warm water. Leave for 30 to 60 minutes, then wash off with plenty of water, and flush any drains thoroughly. |
Rinse well with clean water. Wear rubber gloves, mix the solution in a glass container, and be very careful with the acid. |
| Scratches on Polished (Satin) Finish |
Slight scratches - use impregnated nylon pads. Polish with scurfs dressed with iron-free abrasives for deeper scratches. Then clean with soap or detergent as for routine cleaning. |
Do not use ordinary steel wool - iron particles can become embedded in stainless steel and cause further surface problems. Stainless steel and "Scotch-brite" scouring pads are satisfactory. |
|
| |
|
| |
|
