Screen Maintenance: Locks, Hinges, and Rollers
Initial Cleaning:
Begin your lock maintenance by cleaning using a soft bristle brush to lightly brush the area of your screen lock, hinges, and rollers. Soft bristle brushes will not be abrasive to the powder-coated finish. Do not use any abrasive materials or scrubbing pads, as these may cause deterioration, if not in the first instance, over time.
Washing:
After removing loose debris using a soft brush, the next step in lock maintenance is washing the area, using a mild cleaning product or Prowler Proof’s Screen Care – 2 in 1 Wash & Wax Kit. Dilute the product to ensure that the product is not too strong. A warm water solution is best for more stubborn stains. Then use a clean cotton cloth or sponge, and wipe clean the area to get all the little hidden areas that debris can accumulate in. You will need to rinse the area with clean water to ensure all cleaners have been removed.
Be careful not let cleaners enter the lock cylinder, cleaning fluids can be detrimental to the lock’s mechanism or internal moving parts of the mechanism and may make it unusable or corrode. One option is to shield the lock cylinder while you are cleaning around it.
Lock Maintenance:
To keep lock surfaces, hinges, and rollers in good health and to help prevent discoloration or damage over time, it’s important to keep them clean and free from contaminants. It’s worth noting that environmental factors can cause variations to texture and colour, regular maintenance helps minimise these effects.
Cylinder Lubrication:
Lock maintenance is required when the key cylinder of the lock is not operating smoothly, it means the cylinder may need to be lubricated. All key cylinder locks should function correctly if lubricated at least once a year. To lubricate, you will need to remove all dirt, grime, or salt deposits around the area of the key cylinder. When the key is free of dirt and ready to lubricate, you will need powdered graphite, you can apply a small amount to a key. Place the key into the lock barrel once, with one small application of powdered graphite you should have a clean functioning lock.
