TIP #1: ESTABLISH REGULAR CLEANING ROUTINES FOR YOUR STAINLESS
Surface contaminants and debris make it more difficult for the passivated layer to heal when damaged. A good wash with a soft cloth, warm water, and mild detergent will keep the layer looking its best. Always check the chemicals used in cleaners to avoid abrasives, high strength acids or alkalis, and chlorides. If you need more power than water and mild soap, a range of stainless-steel formulated cleaners can ensure you don't cause more damage than you repair, while keeping your surfaces and parts clean.
TIP #2: ALWAYS CLEAN WELD SITES
When exposed to extreme temperatures, such as welding stainless steel will change color. Any area showing a color change also has a weakening or absence of a passivation layer. In order to return stainless steel to its original corrosion-resistant state and color, it is usually necessary to grind the weld, clean the surrounding surface, and passivate or pickling.
TIP #3: AVOID ABRASIVE SCRUBS AND SHARP TOOLS
When you wipe a surface with steel wool or a metal wash pad, you can leave tiny deposits of iron. The same goes for using tools containing iron to damage surfaces. If you store or transport stainless steel near other metal objects, collisions and friction can also leave invisible particles. This can lead to free iron contamination. Although not always visible, this contamination reduces the healing ability of the passivated layer. Over time, this can lead to rusting and reduced levels of corrosion resistance. Unlike standard cleaning, removing free iron from stainless steel surfaces usually requires special steps. Major options include electrolytic polishing, pickling, and thermal exposure oxidation. Although the cleaner claims to remove free iron contamination, always check the chemicals involved before using to ensure results and avoid unexpected interactions or safety risks to materials and people.