The growth in the use of stainless steel over recent decades has been a real success story, predominantly due to its aesthetic appeal and, of course, its resistance to corrosion

However, the continuing performance of stainless steel, particularly in harsh coastal environments, relies not only on the intrinsic features of the material, but also on appropriate maintenance.

ASSDA Accredited Fabricator Bell Stainless from Kunda Park on the Sunshine Coast, Qld has had extraordinary success both nationally and internationally, being the only company in the world to have won multiple South Africa Stainless Steel Development Association Awards - one of only two Australian companies to win.

Bell Stainless general manager David Vine said they took the ongoing maintenance of their work very seriously and cited their installation several months ago of the balustrade for the HMAS Brisbane memorial at Alexandra Headland on the Sunshine Coast as a key example.

Mr Vine said they used two products from ASSDA member Cyndan Rapelle Pty Ltd - an Australian industrial chemical manufacturer - to keep this type of installation looking good:

- Cyndan Stainless Steel Cleaner, which uses a combination of phosphoric acid and ammonium biflouride, providing deep cleansing of grime, mineral salts, leaching, oxidation and other stains, particularly tea stains; and

- Cyndan Rapelle Stainless Steel Sentry - a protective treatment that fuses with the surface forming a water repellant film to reduce corrosive build up of salts.

He said they have used Cyndan products since 1999 and found them time effective, easy to manage and safe to use.

Cyndan Chemicals was founded in Australia in 1978 and has partnered with Rapelle Pty Ltd to market their products internationally.

This article featured in Australian Stainless magazine - Issue 37, Spring 2006.