This guide applies to all MEFA products. Please note that when products are composed of several different materials, the various parts should be maintained as prescribed for the materials from which they are made.
POLISHED COPPER/BRASS SURFACE
If a polished surface is desired, this may be maintained using proprietary products designed for polishing copper or brass.
PATINATION OF COPPER AND BRASS SURFACES
If a patinated surface is desired, it should not be polished or otherwise treated.
PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING WITH REGARD TO THE PATINATION OF PLAIN COPPER AND BRASS
Patination occurs when copper or brass is exposed to several different factors in combination. These factors include heat, moisture, salt and airborne contaminants and pollution. The coating that arises will vary a great deal in colour from product to product, and can be of a brown or bluish-black hue. This coating will rarely be uniform across the entire surface of the product, for which reason the product may gain a blotched appearance. It takes several years for an overall verdigris colour to arise.
STAINLESS STEEL
Ground/brushed stainless steel must be properly maintained in order to avoid „rust-like” tarnishing. Although the steel is „rustproof”, tarnishing may nonetheless arise that can impair the product’s appearance. It is thus important to clean the surfaces regularly and wipe them at least four times a year with an add-free oil. If the tarnishing cannot be removed with oil, a very fine abrasive may be used. It is however still important to treat the product with oil afterwards.
GALVANIZED STEEL
The advantage of galvanized steel is that although joints and edges may assume a brownish hue, the surface colour will gradually even out to matt grey in the course of one to two months. This also means that any small marks or scratches that the mailbox may collect, and which turn slightly brown, will in time become an even matt grey colour. Your mailbox will then stay looking smart for several years.
To protect the appearance of your mailbox, we recommend that you wash it 3-4 times a year with water and a little washing-up liquid. Insufficient maintenance could expose your mailbox to attack by rust.
PAINTED GALVANIZED STEEL
To keep your mailbox looking smart, we recommend that you wipe it 3-4 times a year with a wet cloth. Insufficient maintenance could expose your mailbox to attack by rust. If your mailbox has a smooth lacquer finish, it can be a good idea to wax it, as this will make it more difficult for dirt to collect. However, please note that mailboxes with structural varnish should not be waxed; on the
other hand it can be treated with acid free oil!
MOVABLE PARTS
Movable parts and locks should be lubricated 1-2 times a year to avoid unnecessary wear and possible creaking. If the lock freezes in the winter, a lock lubricant can be used.