Introduction
The Astro design and development team meticulously designs, manufactures, and selects materials to ensure products reach customers in perfect condition. Proper use and maintenance will provide years of trouble-free service.
Maintaining Pristine Condition
This guide provides simple do's and don'ts, along with useful hints to help maintain products in pristine condition.
Storage of Products
Products should be stored in a cool, clean, dry, low-humidity environment. Keep products in their original packaging until installation. Avoid placing them directly on the floor to ensure airflow around the packaging.
Important Warning
Warning: Always ensure electrical power to the product is switched off before carrying out any cleaning, maintenance, or disassembly.
Interior Products
Depending on the environment, interior products require regular cleaning and maintenance to prevent the accumulation of dirt and dust.
General Cleaning and Maintenance
- If disassembling a product, ensure you have a copy of the instructions for re-assembly. Instructions can be downloaded from the respective product page on the Astro website.
- If removing bulbs for cleaning, and they have been switched on, allow sufficient time for them to cool before handling.
- Before using any new cleaning product, test it on a small, hidden area of the luminaire to ensure it does not affect the surface finish. Alternatively, contact Astro Technical for advice.
- Avoid abrasive cleaning products containing ammonia, isopropyl alcohol, or other solvents, as these chemicals can damage applied finishes.
Material-Specific Care
Metal Products
Clean with a soft dry cloth. If particularly dirty, moisten the cloth with fresh water, then dry thoroughly with a separate soft cloth to prevent water spots.
Mirrors
- Clean with a soft cloth moistened with fresh water. Dry thoroughly with a separate soft cloth to avoid water spots.
- For particularly dirty mirrors, use a soft cloth with a non-abrasive cleaning product.
- Wipe the glass starting from the centre, working outwards in a circular motion. Avoid cleaning over the mirror's edge.
- Polish using a clean microfibre cloth.
Painted Products
Clean with a soft dry cloth. If particularly dirty, moisten the cloth with fresh water, then dry thoroughly using a separate soft cloth to avoid water spots.
Fabric Shades
- Use a fine brush, such as a paint brush, or a lint remover to remove accumulated dirt or dust.
- Use a soft cloth slightly moist with fresh water to gently remove dirty marks.
- DO NOT immerse shades with a plastic inner liner or trim in water.
Plastics
Clean with a soft dry cloth. If particularly dirty, moisten the cloth with fresh water, then dry thoroughly using a separate soft cloth to avoid water spots.
Glass Shades & Products
- Use a clean, soft cloth to wipe the product.
- For particularly dirty surfaces, use a soft cloth moistened with a mild solution of detergent and water to clean the product evenly.
- Detach glass parts from the product and rinse thoroughly with fresh water.
- A mild glass cleaner may be used, provided it does not come into contact with other surfaces of the product.
- Ensure glass parts are fully dried before re-assembly.
Wooden Products
Clean with a soft dry cloth. If particularly dirty, moisten the cloth with fresh water, then dry thoroughly using a separate soft cloth to avoid water spots.
Plaster/Ceramic Products
- Bare plaster/ceramic is very porous. Water or liquids in contact with it can create tide lines and staining.
- Dust can be removed with a dry soft cloth.
- Dirty marks may be removed by carefully rubbing with a damp 'Smoke Sponge' or similar vulcanized rubber product.
- If the plaster has been sealed with paint or varnish, it can be cleaned with a slightly damp cloth.
Interior Lights in Coastal Locations
Astro Lighting uses high-quality painted and electroplated finishes offering good protection. However, coastal air has high salt content, which can affect finishes unless maintained correctly. Consider proximity to the sea, room openness, and finish appropriateness when specifying products.
Products in these situations require regular cleaning with a damp, lint-free cloth, followed by thorough drying. This helps remove harmful salt and prolongs the surface finish.
If possible, take precautions to control room temperature and humidity by keeping doors and windows closed and using air conditioning.
Exterior Products
Exterior products require regular six-monthly cleaning and maintenance to prevent accumulation of dirt, garden vegetation, or bird faeces.
General Advice for Exterior Products
- General rules for interior products also apply.
- For products near ground level, ensure they do not contact lawn products, chemicals, driveways, or decking, as these can damage finishes.
- DO NOT use pressure washers on any Astro product.
Material-Specific Care for Exterior Products
Metal Products
Under normal circumstances, stainless steel, brass, painted, or plated products are corrosion-resistant. Maintenance is required to preserve their high-quality appearance.
- Wash the product with a solution of detergent and warm water to remove surface deposits.
- Rinse with fresh water and dry with a soft cloth.
Coastal or Extreme Environments
For products exposed to extreme environmental conditions like coastal locations or industrial pollution, these maintenance procedures should be performed at least four times per year.
- Wash the product with a solution of detergent and warm water to remove salt or other surface deposits.
- Rinse with fresh water.
Brass Coastal Products
Natural brass is an untreated raw material; its finish changes over time. The structural integrity remains, but the surface will naturally oxidise and mottle with age. To maintain uniform ageing, rinse the product with fresh water every few months.
Concrete Coastal Products
These products are individually cast using concrete and weatherproof additives, resulting in a robust, authentic finish with natural imperfections. To clean deposits, lightly brush the product. Rinse any remaining sediment with fresh, clean water.
Contact Us
If you have any queries, please contact the Astro technical team for further advice:
Phone: +44 (0) 1279 427001
Email: technical@astrolighting.com
Website: astrolighting.com
