Care & Maintenance

Care & Maintenance

Know-how

outdoor luminaires, poles and luminous column

Thank you for choosing the high-quality outdoor luminaires, poles, and bollards from LEIPZIGER LEUCHTEN.

Our products are designed for long-term outdoor use. LED luminaires are characterized by their long service life. Nevertheless, regular cleaning, care, and maintenance are recommended in order to preserve functionality, appearance, lighting quality, and traffic safety over the long term.

1. General Care and Cleaning

Outdoor luminaires, poles, and bollards made of die-cast aluminum, aluminum, stainless steel, steel, as well as those with glass or plastic covers, generally have smooth and relatively resistant surfaces. Common dirt such as dust, pollen, fine particulate matter, bird droppings, and insect residues can usually be removed easily.

For cleaning, we recommend:

  • clean, cold or lukewarm water,
  • if necessary, small amounts of a mild, neutral, or slightly alkaline cleaning agent free of abrasive substances,
  • soft, non-fibrous cloths, soft sponges, or soft brushes.

After cleaning, all surfaces should be thoroughly rinsed with clean water. Excessive rubbing should be avoided.

The light-emitting surfaces should be cleaned regularly, depending on the location and degree of soiling, at least once a year. Dirty covers may reduce the lighting performance.

In particularly demanding environments, for example along heavily trafficked roads, in industrial areas, in locations with high levels of fine particulate pollution, or near rivers, lakes, and other bodies of water, more frequent cleaning may be necessary.

2. Prohibited Cleaning Methods

To prevent damage to surfaces, the following tools and cleaning agents must not be used:

  • sharp-edged tools such as knives, scrapers, or metal spatulas,
  • steel wool, wire brushes, abrasive pads, or the rough side of household sponges,
  • abrasive or scouring cleaning agents,
  • aggressive chemicals containing acids or alkalis,
  • solvents such as nitro thinner, acetone, nail polish remover, or comparable substances.

These products may cause permanent damage to powder coatings, stainless steel surfaces, plastic covers, seals, or protective coatings.

The use of high-pressure cleaners is generally not permitted. The strong, and potentially hot, water jet may allow water to penetrate the luminaire. In addition, seals, joints, coatings, and electrical components may be damaged.

3. Maintenance and technical inspection

In addition to cleaning, we recommend carrying out regular visual inspections and functional checks of the luminaires, poles, and bollards. In particular, the following points should be checked:

  • Condition of the light-emitting surfaces,
  • Visible damage to the housing, pole, bollard, or cover,
  • Condition of seals, joints, and transitions,
  • Externally visible corrosion or paint damage,
  • Tight fit of external screw connections,
  • Secure fastening of attached components,
  • Proper functioning of the luminaire.

External screw connections should be checked preventively and professionally retightened if necessary.

The stability of poles and bollards should be inspected depending on their age, location, condition, and the applicable legal or municipal regulations, but at least every four years. This helps ensure long-term operational and public safety.

Electrical inspections, repairs, and the replacement of electrical components may only be carried out by qualified specialist personnel.

Special instructions for products with anti-postering and/or anti-graffiti coating

For smooth powder coatings, the visual change caused by an anti-postering and/or anti-graffiti coating is usually minimal. However, with textured, matte, fine-textured, or pearl-effect powder coatings, changes to the surface appearance and texture effect are more likely. Before serial application, a sample panel coated with the exact same powder coating, gloss level, texture, and layer structure should always be prepared and approved.

Products with an anti-postering and/or anti-graffiti coating require special care during cleaning. The protective layer is designed to reduce the adhesion of posters, stickers, adhesive residues, and graffiti, or to facilitate their removal. The combined anti-poster and anti-graffiti protective coating is a transparent but texture-altering optional finish, where the anti-poster protection helps prevent the unwanted adhesion of stickers and flyers, while the anti-graffiti protection prevents graffiti paints from penetrating the surface.

However, the coating does not replace proper maintenance and care. As a general rule, always start with mild cleaning methods and only proceed to more intensive cleaning if necessary.

1. Removal of loose dirt and debris

First rinse off any loose dirt with clean water. Soft brushes may then be used.

Do not use:

  • Wire brushes
  • Abrasive pads
  • Scouring agents
  • Metal tools
  • Sharp-edged scrapers

Avoid vigorous rubbing or localized scrubbing, as this may impair the protective function and appearance of the coating.

2. Removal of posters, stickers, and paper residues

Posters or stickers should be peeled off the surface as carefully and evenly as possible. Any remaining paper residues should be soaked with warm water and then removed using a soft sponge.

Adhesive residues can be dissolved with a suitable mild cleaner. Before use, the cleaner should be tested on an inconspicuous area.

Do not scratch, scrape, or use metal tools. In the case of stubborn residues, the process should be repeated rather than using greater force or more aggressive cleaning agents.

3. Removal of graffiti

For graffiti removal, a cleaner suitable for anti-graffiti coatings must be used (e.g. Graffiti-Ex by Würth). The manufacturer’s instructions for the cleaning agent must always be followed.

Recommended procedure:

  1. Apply the graffiti remover to the affected area.
  2. Allow it to act briefly in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
  3. Remove the loosened paint using a soft brush.
  4. Then rinse thoroughly with clean water.
  5. Repeat the process if necessary.

It is preferable to carry out several gentle cleaning cycles rather than damaging the surface through excessive scrubbing, long exposure times, or unsuitable chemicals.

4. Special Care When Using Pressurised Water

For coated products, the use of high-pressure cleaners must be avoided. If, in exceptional cases, cleaning with pressurised water is necessary, this may only be carried out using low to medium pressure, from a sufficient distance, and without a rotating dirt blaster nozzle.

The water jet must not be directed continuously at one spot. Particular care must be taken around joints, seals, electrical components, transition areas, and edges.

5. Maintenance of Protective Effect

To maintain the protective function of the anti-poster and/or anti-graffiti coating over the long term, dirt, posters, stickers, and graffiti should be removed as promptly as possible. Prolonged exposure to adhesives, paints, or aggressive substances may make cleaning more difficult and place stress on the surface.

Damaged or heavily worn coatings should be professionally inspected and, if necessary, repaired.