Deep cleaning of exterior joinery to address macro and micro contamination

Feeding joinery allows the original color to recover

It is important to properly maintain windows and doors. And we are not just talking about the visually perceptible macro dirt, but also about the invisible layer of microscopic dirt that is often simply left behind during periodic cleanings. Thorough deep cleaning of exterior joinery is essential and Novatio offers the ideal products for this: FA Clean, Safety Clean and Multifoam. It is equally important to nourish the joinery so that the original color can recover, for example with Novatio's Surface Renewer.

Coating and plastic surfaces can be easily cleaned with water-based cleaners. However, this often only removes the visually perceptible contamination and leaves behind the micro-contamination that is not perceived by the naked eye. 

"Apolar contamination, such as condensed VOCs and soot precipitation, together with fingerprints, is the main cause of problems in bonding. In order to obtain a perfect result during the bonding process, one must address every form of contamination," says Novatio fire manager Geert Vanlommel. 

"Even after installation, proper maintenance for windows and doors remains important. After all, the painted surface is continuously exposed to dust, sand, acid rain, UV radiation and other contamination. It becomes matt and/or 'chalky', i.e. a dull, white powder layer forms, which becomes more and more deeply embedded in the paint and, in the long term, can damage the surface beyond repair. To prevent this, it is essential to carry out a thorough deep cleaning at least twice a year in addition to periodic cleaning, and we have the appropriate products in our range for this purpose."

Different cleaning agents for deep cleaning

For the removal of visible layers of dust and dirt, Novation suggests FA Clean, a water-based cleaner that is highly effective for removing water-soluble and polar contaminants, including dust, sand and other mineral particles. The solvent-based cleaner Safety Clean is indicated for loosening and dissolving petrochemical and natural non-polar dirt. Most of the dirt is removed by wiping the surface with an absorbent cloth, but Novatio's specialists recommend post-cleaning with Multifoam to remove the last remnants of solvent and contamination. By the way, this foam cleaner is also the ideal solution for removing fingerprints and other micro-pollutants.

Revitalizing faded joinery

In any case, it is not recommended to perform work on windows, doors and gates in full sunlight or when the surface is hot. Contamination combined with weather influences, such as UV rays, will give exterior joinery paint an aged appearance over time. After thorough deep cleaning, it is important to nourish the joinery to allow the original color to recover. 

"To do this, one applies our Surface Renewer with a soft, clean, dry sponge. This is a ready-to-use solution for cleaning and renewing UV-weathered coatings, for example the lacquers and powder coatings on windows, doors, shutters, balustrades, gates, .... It can also be used on PVC surfaces on windows, doors, conservatories, pergolas, caravans, boats, .... Regular treatment ensures that the substrate is nourished and the surface continues to look like new," explains Geert Vanlommel. 

"New windows, doors or other surfaces can be preemptively treated with Surface Renewer once a year. However, if the painted surface has suffered somewhat over the years, we recommend applying the product twice - in April and October, for example. A refreshed surface can simply be maintained as if it were a recent or new installation."