*Products listed below have a limited warranty or are not covered under warranty
-CBI latch – Wearable Part
-U bolt – 1 year
-Latch catch – Wearable Part
-Pull pin – 1 year
-Hub rebuild kit – Wearable Part
With the right type of maintenance, you can increase the life of powder-coated surfaces. The care and maintenance tips listed below can help to keep repair/maintenance costs down for some items as well.
Powder coatings can be damaged by harsh solvents. A number of commercial cleaning products can damage powder coat finishes. Once the finish has become damaged, it is much more vulnerable to fading, staining and failure of the finish itself. When harsh chemical cleaners are used on powder-coated surfaces, the life expectancy of the finish can decrease significantly.
The lifespan of a powder-coated finish cannot accurately be predicted due to the number of variables that can affect its ability to beautify and protect the surface where they have been applied. A professional finishing company would never even attempt to give a firm answer about any of the following:
These are impossible to predict with any degree of certainty.
While it may not be possible to map out the exact length of service life you can expect to get from fabricated products, you can extend their effective service life with the right cleaning and maintenance. It could double or even triple the coating’s effective service life.
Pressure washing is likely the most efficient method of cleaning coated surfaces to remove dirt and grime. The pressure washer should be used on a low-pressure setting with filtered water. Don’t use unfiltered tap water or groundwater.
If you use unfiltered groundwater for cleaning, it can leave stains on the metal surface. If the water contains fluoride, sulfur, iron oxide, or chlorine, it can stain powder-coated products.
Low pressure should be used for pressure-cleaning powder-coated metal surfaces. If the pressure is strong enough to cause the metal surface to shift its position, it may also be strong enough to damage the finish.
All powder-coated products should be cleaned with either a soft cloth or a brush, using a solution of mild soap and warm water. The best type of soap to use for this purpose is one that has emulsifiers that can break down the most common types of stains.
Exposed surfaces of powder-coated products that are deemed the most critical should be cleaned regularly (on either a weekly or a bi-weekly schedule). These can be wiped down and rinsed with filtered water.
While solvents and petroleum-based cleaning products are very effective at removing dirt and grease from surfaces, they are not the right choice for powder-coated surfaces. These types of cleaners will remove dirt, but they also remove layers of the finish from the surface of the object they are cleaning. Over time, the finish can become compromised.
The coating can become stiff and hard with repeated applications of these types of cleaners, and it will no longer be as effective at protecting the underlying surface. In some instances, the coating may begin to crack and fade. While it’s inevitable that coated surfaces that are exposed to the weather will undergo physical aging, exposure to harsh chemical products will only accelerate this process.
The crossbars on Prinsu roof racks are anodized aluminum. Anodized aluminum can be damaged by highly abrasive, alkaline or acidic materials and chemicals, such as sharp metal tools, mortar, strong cleansers and muriatic acid. The anodized crossbars can also be damaged/discolored by high PH levels. High PH levels are often found in touchless car washes. We advise avoiding touchless car washes in order to avoid exposure to high PH levels and extend the life of the anodized finish. A few other Prinsu accessories are also made from anodized aluminum and the same precautions should be taken. ( Prinsu Summit handles, Camp lights, and Utility hooks).