Care & Maintenance

Basic Care and Handling Instructions

Most of our interior work is given a wax coating. If there are any fingerprints after installation is complete, they can be buffed out with a dry, lint-free, cotton cloth.

It is imperative that no solvents or abrasives of any kind are used to clean or maintain the finish of all metals other than stainless steel. The basic care of which consists of using stainless steel cleaner and a dry, lint-free, cotton cloth.

If your range hood baffle filters need cleaning, remove them and run them through the dishwasher once a month or, more frequently, as needed.

There are many reasons to invest in having your custom range hood professionally cleaned and polished.

• Fire prevention. The ventilation system is designed to draw in grease, smoke, and moisture to prevent it from spreading throughout the kitchen and home. These materials can build-up over time, resulting in a fire hazard if left unchecked.
• Air quality. The buildup of materials can also impact the effectiveness of the ventilation system. As filters become more clogged, the system is less able to clean incoming air, resulting in more airborne contaminants circulating throughout the kitchen.
• Sanitation. Keeping your kitchen clean starts with the range hood ventilation system. When grease is removed, it improves the overall cleanliness of the kitchen and greatly enhances the efficiency and life of the range hood.

Basic Care and Handling Instructions

Wax Finish

A wax sealant is our primary finish for some range hoods. The wax will provide some protection from elements and preserve the patina but will not protect it 100 percent. We recommend a reapplication of the wax every few months to maintain the finish, but if you like the worn in look that only time and age provide you can sure span out the time between recoating with wax. Renaissance, Minwax, or regular Carnauba wax will suffice for a recoat. It is important that anyone handling the range hood where clean gloves. Dirt and oil can potentially imprint on the wax. If there are any blemishes visible after installation is complete, a dry, cotton, lint-free cloth can be used to remove them.

Natural Live Finish

The natural finish is our standard finish for all outdoor work. Coating with lacquer or wax is not recommended as time and the elements will eventually degrade and cause an odd and unnatural patina to occur.

With this type of finish, the metal is not protected and will patina naturally over time; it will be highly susceptible to fingerprints and oxidation marks. For interior projects, this type of finish is only for the select few who appreciate the look of consistent yet subtle changes and irregularity in the finish. There are a number of variables (too many to list) that affect how the range hood finish ages and it depends on a number of factors such as air quality, both indoor or outdoor.

Regardless of the expectation of the final look, it is still important that anyone handling the project during the installation process wear clean gloves to avoid leaving any fingerprints or oxidation marks. Regular care and maintenance will consist of cleaning the range hood with a soft cotton cloth. For copper and brass, we recommend the use of Copper Brite, Brasso, or any other Red Metal cleaning solution to restore the luster. Once cleaned, it is advised to recoat with a specialty wax such as Meguiar’s Chrome Polish or something equivalent.

Stainless Steel

We recommend cleaning stainless steel with mild dish soap, such as Dawn liquid detergent, warm water and a microfiber cloth. Harsh detergents or chemicals should not be used and will damage your range hood. Follow the cleaning with a polish such as Sheila Shine.

Brushed Brass & Polished Brass

For safety purposes, it is imperative to cover your hands with a towel or any type of glove while working with both uncoated and polished brass. In our fabrication studio, our craftsmen are required to wear gloves.

For small spots, we recommend applying rubbing alcohol with a soft, white-padded scrubbing sponge such as a melamine sponge. Always scrub the sponge with the grain of the metal. For more difficult stains, dampen the sponge with water and a light scouring, low abrasion cream. We use Wright’s Copper and Brass Cream Cleaner in the fabrication studio. After removing the stain, dry the surface with a clean, soft rag.

To polish, wipe down the brass with a yellow treated dust cloth such as the Guardsman Wood Furniture Dusting Cloth. Finish by buffing it dry with a clean, untreated microfiber cloth.

Power Coated Finish

Maintaining the finish of your powder coated range hood is essential to protecting your investment. Powder coating is one of the most durable protective coatings available for metal surfaces, but proper care will help prolong the finish.

Cleaning should start after the installation process is completed. Failure to remove surface contaminants may result in overall finish imperfections creating a less desirable look. Harmful chemicals allowed to remain on the surface of the powder coating finish may require more aggressive cleaning techniques which can lead to potential damage of the finish.

The recommended method for cleaning the powder coating surface is to use warm water and a mild soap. We do not recommend using chemical cleaners such as Acetone, Mineral Spirits or Lacquer thinners. For difficult to clean areas we recommend the use of a soft paper towel such as Viva brand paper towels. Thoroughly rinse with water after cleaning the surface.

Frequency of cleaning will depend on the visual appearance desired and the environment. Harsh environments will require more frequent cleanings to maintain the desired look. Any type of chemical that is harmful to the powder coat surface should be removed or cleaned immediately.

Natural Mirror Finish

On occasion we work with mirrored nickel and mirrored stainless steel. This brilliant metal finish is one-of-a- kind and requires specific care to ensure years of luster. Cleaning this material is relatively simple but needs to be followed with exact instruction. For basic cleaning you will want to use a non-abrasive cloth or paper towel such as Viva brand paper towels with a light dab of Windex or mild soapy water. Once the surface is cleaned
it is advised to recoat with a specialty wax such as Meguiar’s Chrome Polish or something equivalent. It is not recommended to clean this type of surface regularly as there is always the risk of scratching a mirrored surface every time it is touched, the stainless steel is rather tough compared to nickel but still, mirror means the surface is about as flat as it can get and even the slightest “cut” in the surface will reflect.

Ventilation System Cleaning

We offer the option to purchase a ventilation system with every custom range hood installation.

There are two types of ventilation systems to choose from: ducted and recirculating. Ducted systems flush the exhaust out of the kitchen and home. Recirculating systems channel the air back into the kitchen. These are most common in condominiums.

Ducted Hood Ventilation Systems

• How often you wash your filters should be determined by how much you cook and the ingredients you use on a regular basis. For example, cooking frequently with large amounts of oil will create grease build up in the filters. At minimum, we recommend all clients clean their filters once every six months. For our clients who cook frequently and/or cook with oils, we recommend monthly cleanings.
• All ducted hood ventilation systems purchased through CCMWD are made of stainless steel and mild steel.
• The baffle filters (pictured) and associated pieces are made of stainless steel. They are dishwasher safe and can be washed with the rest of your kitchenware.
• The mesh filters are made of aluminum. While dishwasher safe, the mesh can discolor and/or produce spots due to alkaline in some dishwasher detergents. To prevent discoloration, we recommend handwashing with mild dish soap, such as Dawn Liquid detergent.

Recirculating Ventilation Systems

Charcoal filters require replacement. They do not need to be cleaned. They should be replaced every 150 hours of cooking time or every three months for frequent use or six months for infrequent use. Charcoal filters can be purchased on Amazon online or at larger hardware stores.

Warranty Information

Sales are final on all finished products.

If you experience any problems with your range hood, please contact Classic Custom Metal Works and Design at 813-513-0908.

All Classic Custom Metal Works and Design products come with a five-year warranty.

Classic Custom Metal Works and Design will repair or replace, at their option, any product determined to be faulty due to manufacturing defects.

Incidental work or adjacent materials are not included in warranty coverage. This is standard in most of the home improvement industry.

Please follow the process below to help us understand the nature of your problem:

• Provide us with photos to illustrate the nature and size of your problem.
• First, place a quarter next to each problem area as a scale reference.
• Then, take a close-up photo of each problem area (showing the quarter in each close-up). This is standard in most of the home improvement industry.
• Email photos to chris@pro-tools.com. After the photos are received, we will reply back with resolution options within 24 hours.

Finish Disclaimer: Classic Custom Metal Works and Design range hoods are handcrafted one at a time. It
is therefore very rare to create identical items. Every piece is a creation of artisans. We use only the finest materials. However, there may be natural blemishes/variations in the metal that are not product flaws. Such variations are inherent in the manufacturing of handmade products, so you may find minor distinctions that make your range hood truly a one-of-a-kind. These metal finishes will therefore not appear the same as a manufactured or commercial finish.