Cleaning - Normal maintenance consists
of wiping down with a damp cloth. Detergents, cleansers (liquids
such as 'Handy Andy', 'Spray & Wipe', etc) and other cleaning
agents are all suitable. 'Harsh' cleansers such as 'Ajax' may
also be used, although not on a regular basis and may effect
gloss level.
DGI GLULAM solid timber
benchtops will readily take the punishment associated with
day-to-day usage within the household environment. Products
that should be avoided are those containing silicon compounds
(such as 'Mr Sheen'); silicon can imbed itself in the chemical
structure of the polyurethane coating making subsequent recoating
difficult.
Protection - Use cutting boards to avoid
undue knife damage (any material will cut!), and under appliances
such as electric jugs to avoid extremes of heat in small areas.
Repairs - Regardless of damage that may
occur, repairs are relatively simple. Minor scratches can
be buffed out with an abrasive polish or touched up.
If impact damage occurs (dents - where timber is compressed),
this can be restored with a damp cloth and very hot iron. By
placing the cloth over the dent and ironing over it, water
vapour is forced into the fibres and the timber will ultimately
restore itself to normal. Keep the cloth damp - a spluttering
sound is normal
Hard Wearing - DGI GLULAM
has been designed for use in kitchens, laboratories and other
commercial applications; when coated with a two-pack polyurethane
it has been tested for the following agents:
- Caustic Soda - oven cleaners - should not
affect top.
- Hydrochloric Acid - cement cleaners -
should not affect top.
- Kitchen Acids/Alkalis - juice/vinegar
- should not affect top.
- Staining Agents - the only ones to avoid
are beetroot and English mustard; these fiendish substances
seem to stain everything known to man, but effect is minimal.
- Wines/Spirits - should not affect top.
- Heat - Tops have been tested to 200C;
anything that contains water should not affect top. Tops
will take much higher levels of heat for short periods (1/2
minute maximum). This allows time to put down a very hot
item and retrieve again with an oven mitt.
Recoating - Your top will not require
recoating for many years (dependant on wear and usage) and
then only in the high-use areas. Recoating, which will restore
your top to 'as new' condition, can be done by the householder
(refinish packs are available from DGI)
or by a professional. Ask DGI for
a referral.
POLYURETHANE
MAINTENANCE