Normal Maintenance|Expansion of Aluminum|Tiger Striping|Alsco/Hastings Specs|Voluntary Specs

Ten Ways Seamless Rain Gutters Protect Your Home

\GENERAL NEWS, TIPS, & POLICIES

WET COIL & RAIN

            I know this may sound weird, but unformed gutter coil cannot get wet. All aluminum coil is so tightly wrapped and spun that when it gets wet the moisture is trapped between the layers, thus softening the paint. This is similar to nail polish that does not come off when you wash your hands, but soaking your hands in dishwater all day, allows the nail polish to soften and come off your nails. When you run coil that has been wet sometime before running it, the tight bends of the gutter forming causing this softened paint to peel off when running through your machine. If your coil should accidentally get wet, make it into gutter within 24 hours to prevent this peeling process in your machine, as it hasn't’t had enough time to soften the paint. If coil has sat wet, uncoiling and allowing the coil to dry out does not work to prevent peeling, due to the fact you cannot bake it back on the coil. Hastings or any other coil manufacturer will not warranty coil that has gotten wet and is peeling, but they do have a 20 year warranty on formed gutter coil. We do not have any other explanation of this problem, but hope these suggestions will save you headaches in the future. If you should run wet coil and it peels in your machine, you will need to clean the rollers of your machine with alcohol to remove the peeled paint from the rollers in the machine. Please do not ask us to credit you for coil that you have allowed getting wet. If we return samples to Hastings, they do testing, and they know if the coil had gotten wet before forming, thus causing embarrassment to both of us.

COLD WEATHER APPLICATION

            As you may be aware that aluminum does expand and contract, like most anything, but not as bad as vinyl products. Please keep in mind during installation of guttering during temperatures below 30 degrees that the aluminum is contracted fully and that there could a problem with buckling during the 100 degree summers. I have had 2 cases of this problem during the last 8 years. It has been the experience of the aluminum industry that these problems occur during the 2nd year after installation. Below are some tips offered by the guttering industry, not that I agree with all of their findings or suggestions.

            A 50’ piece of gutter installed at 35 degrees F, if allowed to, will expand nearly ¾” over a year’s time. The problem we are discussing becomes evident as bowing out of the face of the gutter….sometimes to the extent that the face of the gutter “tears” vertically on the front lip. Anecdotal evidence suggests that this is not a problem which is either color or length dependent. The study has seen a 40' piece of sandstone tear in three places, while an 85’ piece of Sherwood looks fine. Guyco has seen a problem with colonial blue in 1997. There are some commonalties to the findings in the study.

1. The problems are more evident over sidewalks and driveway, as they reflect more sunlight.
2. The gutter was installed when it was “cold”, below 35° F, but the problem was not noticed until months later, when it began to warm up.
3. The top front edge of the gutter is curving away from the building. This requires the installer to pull the gutter to the building with the hidden hanger, putting stress on the face of the gutter.
4. The bottom of the gutter at the bottom front edge is running “downhill”, while similar problem as #3 above.
5. Almost always, the gutter is installed with hidden hangers.

The study suggests the following to help prevent the problem:

1. Get your machine adjusted, and constantly check it to be sure it remains in adjustment. The two places that gutter machines have the most pressure on them while forming coil are at the top and bottom front edge of the gutter. It stands to reason that when machines go out of adjustment, these two places are normally the first and worst areas.
2. Be extra aware of installations over concrete or asphalt. You may want to run the guttering out and place it upside down on concrete or asphalt in the hot sun during cold weather installation to make the gutter expand a little before it is installed. You may want to use spikes and ferrules over these areas.
3. Don’t work when it’s cold? Just kidding! But understand the material’s limitations and propensities.
4. Put a zip screw through the top of the gutter which will go into the hidden hanger at the hook, which should prevent the front from moving, or install the gutter with spikes and ferrules, preferably galvanized steel, which will hold both the front and the back of the gutter. This will help prevent the front from growing while the back stays tight to the building.

METAL ROOFS

            A gutter company regarding the vampire hangers he used on a building with a metal roof has contacted me. He stated that the vampire hanger straightened out and allowed the gutter to come loose this winter during the ice storms. I have talked to the vampire hanger manufacturer and they agree that no hanger of any type will withstand the ice in the gutter when it is falling off the metal roofs in full sheets. The ice slides in full sheets due to heat in the building along with the sun. Oklahoma has been declared a disaster area from the ice and snow; thus aid is available to your customers for this damage caused by a natural disaster through FEMA or their own insurance company. It is not your responsibility to replace the gutter at your own expense under these circumstances. The hanger manufacturer and I offer the following tips for installation of guttering on metal roofs, to help in keeping the gutter in place.
           
1. Use snow guards (a metal attachment placed in a staggering position on metal roofs shaped like a spoon to break up the ice and snow before it breaks loose). I do not stock snow guards, but do have a sample on display. If you would like to see a snow guard in action, I have seen them on the metal roofs of Wal-Mart Super Centers, Lowe’s Home Improvement stores, and Home Depot. These three stores use them to reduce their liability insurance cost. They feel it is a serious risk of injury to a customer who might be walking into their stores when the heat or sun loosens the ice and snow and it falls in full sheets and falls on them. The snow guard breaks up the ice and snow into small pieces that will not injure customers on their sidewalks.

2. Use front roof straphangers in between each vampire hanger so that you have protection every foot. These front roof strap hangers have just a hook that fits into the front of the gutter just like the hidden hanger, but it has only a strap that is attached to the roof allowing support to the front of the gutter. This should make the gutter twice as strong.

3. Be sure you are placing any type of hanger only 2 feet apart, with the roof straphanger in between each standard hanger or vampire hanger.

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NORMAL MAINTENANCE
AND CLEANING INSTRUCTIONS

            In areas where dirt accumulates, often where the flow of rainwater is restricted, a simple cleaning, scheduled annually or more often if necessary, will restore the surface appearance. Most surface soils or stains from industrial fallout, tree sap or chimney effluent can be cleaned with non-abrasive household detergents.

          A mixture of one part Ivory to three parts water is a recommended general purpose cleaner.

          The solution should be applied with a clean, soft rag or sponge using a gentle rubbing action – vigorous cleaning will remove the stain resistant surface and therein permit greater staining in the future.

          Rinse immediately and thoroughly after washing with fresh water.

          Abrasives, solvents, pain thinners or paint removers will attack the surface and actually remove a portion. DO NOT use such materials. If normal cleaning is not sufficient to clean severely soiled surfaces, a more aggressive cleaner may be used as outlined below. Avoid contact with shrubbery, skin or eye contact and test in an inconspicuous area before cleaning in high view areas.

          Severe surface dirt deposits occurring in areas not subjected to adequate rainfall may require a stronger cleaner such as the one listed below:

                    1/3 cup detergent (ex: Tide, powder NOT liquid)
                    2/3 cup Trisodium Phosphate (TSP)
                    1 quart 5% Sodium Hypochlorite (ex: Clorox Bleach)
                    3 quarts water

          Greater concentrations could injure paint surface, and successive cleanings with this cleaning solution may leave the paint surface more susceptible to soiling in the future.

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EXPANSION OF ALUMINUM GUTTER SYSTEMS

THIS INFORMATION IS ADAPTED FROM THE ARCHITECTURAL SHEET METAL MANUAL, FIFTH EDITION, FROM THE SHEET METAL AND AIR CONDITIONING CONTRACTORS NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, INC. (SMACNA)

          AS CAN BE SEEN FROM THE ABOVE CHART, A 50’ PIECE OF ALUMINUM GUTTER INSTALLED AT 35° F, NOT AT ALL UNUSUAL IN THE WINTER MONTHS, WILL EXPAND NEARLY ¾” BY THE END OF THE NEXT SUMMER. AS CAN ALSO BE SEEN, THE LONGER THE PIECE, THE MORE THE EXPANSION. IS IT ANY WONDER  THEN THAT LONG PIECES OF GUTTER BUCKLE ALONG THE FACE OF THE GUTTER? HOW CAN WE HELP REDUCE THE PROBLEMS CAUSED BY THIS EXPANSION? PROPER INSTALLATION AND DESIGNING OF SYSTEMS WHICH ACCOMMODATE THIS EXPANSION ARE EASILY DONE, WHEN THE PROPER METHODS ARE EXPLAINED.

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TIGER STRIPING

          Raingutter companies receive periodic calls about dirty streaks on their recently installed gutters that will not wash off. The first assumption from the customer is usually that the paint has gone bad and turned a different color. In the painted coil industry, this phenomenon is known as Tiger Striping.

        The simplest explanation to Tiger Striping is the more urban or industrial the environment the more pollution collects and settles on the top lip of the gutter mixing with rain and acids forming a coating of dirt that dribbles down the front face of the gutter leaving deposits behind resulting in light and dark streaks on the surface. More specifically this pollution is made up of by products of engine combustion, nitric and sulfurous acid, and spores from decaying vegetation.

        Be assured the paint is in good condition underneath and cannot be considered failed since environmental conditions are beyond anyone’s normal control.

        Periodic cleaning the same way you wash a car will greatly reduce build up of these deposits of pollution. Tiger striping indicates a heavy accumulation; a strong solution of cleaners is needed. An excellent combination is listed on the back of the paint warranty card and is a time honored recipe that provides good results.

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ALSCO/HASTINGS BUILDING PRODUCTS
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS AND QUALITY STANDARDS FOR
COATED FINISHED AND MILL FINISHED ALUMINUM COIL SHEET

1. Scope:

The specifications cover coated finished and mill finished coiled sheet to be used for the production of gutters, conductor pipe, and various fabricated products.

2. Alloy:

2.1       The alloy shall be AA3105 or equivalent.

3. Mechanical Properties:

3.1       The mechanical properties on coated and mill finished coils shall be as follows:

1. Samples from each mill coil shall be capable of withstanding bend tests as follows:

1. 3105-H12 and 3105-H14 must show no evidence of metal fracture when subjected to an OT (folded back one thickness of sheet on another) 180 degree bend in the longitudinal (direction of rolling) direction when viewed by the unaided eye.

1. 3105-H16 and 3105-H18 must show no evidence of metal fracture when subjected to a 2T (twice metal thickness) 180 degree bend in the longitudinal (direction of rolling) direction when viewed by the unaided eye.

1. Samples from each coated coil shall be capable of withstanding bend tests as follows:

1. 3105-H12, H14, H16 and H18 must show no evidence of paint fracture when subjected to a 2T (twice metal thickness) 180 degree bend in the longitudinal (direction of rolling) direction when viewed by the unaided eye.

1. 3105-H12, H14, H16, and H18 must show no evidence of paint removal with Scotch #610 cellophane tape when subjected to a 2T (twice metal thickness) 180 degree bend in the longitudinal (direction of rolling) direction (unless specified differently).

1. 3105-H12, H14, H16 and H18 Direct and Reverse Impact Adhesion:

No visible paint removal with Scotch #610 cellophane tape after direct and reverse impact of 1500 x metal thickness using 5/8” steel ball on a Gardner Impact Tester.

1. 3105-H12, H14, H16 and H18 Coating Cure Test:

Paint must withstand 100 double rubs of MEK soaked cloth with only slight burnishing (unless specified differently).

1. 3105-H12, H14, H16, and H18 Coating Pencil Hardness:

F-2H pencil hardness with Eagle turquoise leads.

1. 3105-H12, H14, H16 and H18 Coating Film Thickness:

Topside Finish 0.65-0.90 mil.
Reverse Side Finish 0.15-0.40 mil. (unless specified differently)

1. 3105-H12, H14, H16 and H18 Coating Topside Color:

Controlled to the approved master standard by approved color difference meter and by visual match under daylight and horizon light to original standard must be controlled to:

DELTA L + 0.50          DELTA A + 0.50          DELTA B + 0.50

                  (unless specified differently)

1. 3105-H12, H14, H16, and H18 Coating Specular Gloss:

Controlled to the approved master standard by approved color glossmeter. Determined at a glossmeter angle of 60 degrees to original standard must be controlled to:

Low gloss top coat  +  3.0
Medium gloss coat  +  5.0
High gloss top coat  +  10.0          (unless specified differently)

1. 3105-H12, H14, H16, and H18 Coating Topside Surface Appearance:

Must be smooth and free of streaks, blistering and other imperfections.

4. Ordered Thickness and Tolerances:

Nominal thickness is to be specified in the individual purchase agreement and the following tolerances are applicable:

5. Ordered Width and Tolerances:

1. The nominal width is to be specified in the individual purchase agreement and the following tolerances are applicable:

6. Lateral Bow:

Width over 10 inches. Lateral bow shall not exceed 3/16 inches in a 10 foot length, being defined as a deviation of a side edge from a straight edge.

7. Transverse Bow:

Maximum curvature across the width of the sheet in any 12 inch increment shall not exceed 3/32 inch in an upward or downward direction from a straight line from edge to edge of the sheet.

8. Flatness: (Edge Waves or Buckles)

Flatness of the sheet shall not exceed the maximum height for a given spacing as follows:

9. Center Buckles: (Oil Can or Trapped Centers):

Coils shall be sufficiently free of center buckles that after subsequent painting and roll forming, a satisfactory product can be produced.

10. Edge Burr:

Edge burr from slitting shall not exceed .001 inch.

11. Telescoping:

Telescoping of coil shall not exceed ¼ inch.
(unless specified differently)

12. Surface Appearance: (Mill Finish):

The coils shall be sufficiently free of detrimental scratches, roll marks, chatter marks, leveler cross breaks, herringbone, black streaks, rolled-on scratches, rolled-in metal, water stain, excessive oil and/or inclusions such that after subsequent painting and roll forming, a satisfactory product can be produced.

13. Packing:

All coils to be shipped will be stretch-wrapped on appropriate sized skids or as specified on the individual purchase order.

All coils will be supplied with nominal 16-inch inside diameter centers (unless specified differently)

All coils will be packed so as to minimize damage during transit and handling. Alsco/Hastings accepts responsibility to pack material in a manner to insure its arrival at destination with an acceptable quality level.

Each coil will be individually marked with gauge, width, color, color code and weight (O. D. of coil).

Each coil will be identified with an adhesive label applied to the I. D. of the coil. Each label will contain the size, top coat color, bottom coat color and the date of production.

Each skid will have a packing ticket identifying the coils on the skid.

Packing lists for each shipment will contain total number of skids, individual tare weights, and total gross and net weights by gauge, width, color and respective order number.

14. Quality Assurance:

Alsco/Hastings is responsible for the performance of all inspections and tests.

Each coil will be inspected to assure conformance to Section 2 through Section 12.1.

15. Quality Claims  (rejections):

Any material received that is found to be defective must have a representative sample of the defective area submitted to the producing plant for verification. Upon confirmation that defective areas are the fault of Alsco/Hastings, the material will be returned or credit will be issued at the full material price at the time of purchase. (Some claims may be subject to purchased price credit minus the local scrap value of the defective material).

Water stain claims on mill finished coil will be accepted if Alsco/Hastings plant is notified within 60 days upon receipt of material, providing the material has been properly stored.

Claims on painted finished coil will be accepted if Alsco/Hastings plant is notified within one year upon receipt of material, providing the material has been properly stored.

16. Customer Responsibility:

Each customer is responsible for the proper storage of material. Proper storage being defined as a dry, indoor area that is not prone to sudden temperature swings.

Quality claims on mill finished and painted finished coil that are determined to be related to improper storage will not be the responsibility of Alsco/Hastings Inc.

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VOLUNTARY SPECIFICATIONS
FOR ALUMINUM GUTTER AND DOWNSPOUT SYSTEMS

1. SCOPE:

1.1       THESE MINIMUM VOLUNTARY SPECIFICATIONS AND CITED STANDARDS ARE APPLICABLE TO TYPES OF GUTTER AND DOWNPSOUT SYSTEMS THAT ARE DESGINED FOR CONVEYING RAINWATER FROM A ROOF OF RESIDENTIAL AND LIGHT COMMERICAIL BUILDINGS. THESE SYSTEMS ARE INTENDED FOR USE IN NEW CONSTRUCTION OR AS REPLACEMENT SYSTEMS FOR EXISTING STRUCTURES.

1. FORMED AND COATED ALUMINUM GUTTER AND DOWNSPOUT SYSTEMS INCLUDING GUTTER, END CAPS, MITER SECTIONS, ELBOWS, DOWNSPOUTS AND OTHER COMPONENTS DESIGNED TO COMPLETE THE TOTAL SYSTEM. NON-DOCORATIVE ACCESSORIES AND NON-VISIBLE HANGERS NEED NOT BE COATED.

1.2       METHODS OF TESTING FOR DETERMINING THE CONFORMITY OF ALUMINUM GUTTER AND DOWNSPOUT SYSTEMS (AS DESCRIBED IN SECTION 1.1) TO THESE SPECIFICATIONS SHALL BE MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE METHODS DESCRIBED IN SECTION 5.

1.3       THESE SPECIFICATIONS ALSO COVER FASTENERS AND OTHER PRODUCTS USED IN THE APPLICATION OF ALUMINUM GUTTER AND DOWNSPOUT SYSTEMS.

                        1.3-1 ALUMINUM FASTENERS
                        1.3-2 CAULKING COMPOUNDS AND SEALANTS

2. MATERIALS USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF ALUMINUM GUTTER AND DOWNSPOUT SYSTEMS

1. ALUMINUM ALLOYS

COMMON ALLOYS                   3003, 3105
COMMON HARDNESS            H14, H15

1. CONTENT LIMITS

ALUMINUM SHEET USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF GUTTER AND DOWNPSOUT SYSTEMS SHALL BE OF COMMERCIAL QUALITY AND FREE OF DEFECTS IMPAIRING THE PERFORMANCE OR APPEARANCE OF THE FINISHED PRODUCTS AND SHALL HAVE A MINIMUM ULTIMATE TENSILE STRENGTH OF 20,000 PSI. THE ALLOY COMPOSITION MAY INCLUDE BUT SHALL NOT EXCEED, THE FOLLOWING ELEMENTS TO THE LIMITS SHOWN BELOW:

            SILICON                  1.5% MAXIMUM
            MAGNESIUM
            MANGANESE            6.0% TOTAL MAXIMUM
            CHROMIUM
            IRON                          1.0% MAXIMUM
            COPPER                   0.4% MAXIMUM
            ZINC                           1.0% MAXIMUM
            OTHERS                   0.5% MAXIMUM
            ALUMINUM              BALANCE

NOTE:IF A CLADDING ALUMINUM ALLOY IS USED THE MAXIMUM ZINC CONTENT OF THE CLADDING SHALL BE WITHIN THE SAME LIMITS EXCEPT THAT THE MAXIMUM ZINC LIMIT OF THE CLADDING MAY BE 2.5% IN ORDER TO ASSURE THAT THE CLADDING IS ANODIC TO THE CORE.

1. HANGERS: ALLOY, COMPOSITION AND TENSILE STREANGTH SHALL BE SUFFICIENT TO SUPPOR THE GUTTER AND DOWNSPUT SYSTEMS AT THE MAXIMUM DESIGN LOAD.

1. MINIMUM NOMINAL THICKNESS OF ALUMINUM SHEET USED IN THE MANUFACTURE OF GUTTER AND DOWNSPOUT SYSTEMS SHALL COMPLY WITH TABLE 1, 2 & 3.

TABLE 1.

TABLE 2.

TABLE 3.

1. TOLERANCE FOR THICKNESS OF ITEMS + 0.002”
2. STRENGTH OF ACCESSORY ITEMS WHERE PRACTICAL SHALL BE THE SAME AS THE BASIC GUTTER AND DOWNSPOUT COMPONENTS EXCEPT WHERE A MORE DUCTILE MATERIAL IS NEEDED TO FACILITATE FORMING OF THE PART.

1. PRE-COATING SUBSTRATE: THE PRODUCT USED TO FORM THE CHEMICAL COATING ON THE ALUMINUM SHEET USED FOR GUTTER AND DOWNPSOUT SYSTEMS SHALL CONFORM WITH ASTM D 1730-67 (1973), TYPE B, METHOD 5 (AMPORPHOUS PHOSPHATE TREATMENT) OR METHOD 7 (AMORPHOUS CHROMATE TREATMENT). THE COATING WEIGHT SHALL CONFORM WITH THAT SPECIFIED IN ASTM B 449-67(1972), SECTION 6, CLASS 2.

1. COATINGS: PRODUCTS USED AS FINISHES ON ALUMINUM SHEET FOR GUTTER AND DOWNSPOUT SYSTEMS AND ACCESSORIES SHALL BE FACTORY APPLIED AND FORMULATED FOR THE INTENDED END USE AND THE APPLIED COATINGS SHALL MEET THE PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION 5 OF THE SPECIFICATION.

1. FASTENERS AND MISCELLANEOUS PRODUCTS

3.1 FASTENERS SHALL BE COMPATIBLE WITH ALUMINUM

3.1.1 NAILS USED TO INSTALL ALUMINUM GUTTER AND DOWNSPOUT SYSTEMS AND ACCESSORIES SHALL BE ALUMINUM NAILS WITH A MINIMUM ULTIMATE TENSILE STRENGTH OF 60,000 PSI AND SHALL CONFORM TO FEDERAL SPECIFICATION FF-N-105 AS AMENDED.

3.1.2 METAL SCREWS SHALL BE OF ALUMINUM OF SUFFICIENT SIZE AND LENGTH TO SECURE THE CONNECTED PARTS UNDER SERVICE CONDITIONS.

3.1.3 RIVETS USED SHALL CONFORM WITH MILITARY SPECIFICATION R-24243, COMBINATION “B”.

3.1.4 SPIKE AND FERRULE WHERE USED SHALL BE OF ALUMINUM OR COMPATIBLE MATERIALS.

3.2 CAULKING COMPOUNDS CAULKING AND SEALANT COMPOUNDS SHALL COMPLY WITH OR EXCEED THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL SPECIFICATION TT-S-001657 AND SHALL WITHSTAND THE MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE DIFFERENCE FOR THE GEOGRAPHICAL AREA INSTALLED WITHOUT LEAKING. ADDITIONALLY, THESE COMPOUNDS SHALL BE COMPATIBLE WITH ALUMINUM AND THE PAINT COATINGS APPLIED TO THE GUTTER AND DOWNSPOUT SYSTEMS AND ACCESSORIES.

1. DESIGN, MANUFATURE AND COATING

4.1 DESIGN

4.1.1 GUTTERS SHAL BE SIZED AS DETERMINED BY THE DOWNSPOUTS AND THEIR SPACING. USE A GUTTER HAVING A MINIMUM CROSS SECTIONAL AREA AS DOWNSPOUT FOR SPACING UP TO 40 FEET.

4.1.2 DOWNSPOUTS SHALL BE SIZED AND SPACED (MAXIMUM OF 40 FEET) ON THE BASIS OF APPROXIMATELY ONE HUNDRED SQUARE FEET OF ROOF SURFACE TO ONE SQUARE INCH OF DOWNSPOUT. MORE DOWNSPOUTING MAY BE REQUIRED FOR EXTREME RAINFALL IN PARTICULAR AREAS.

4.1.3 HANGERS SHALLL BE DESIGNED SO THAT WHEN INSTALLED AT THE SPACING RECOMMENDED BY THE MANUFACTURER, THE SYSTEM WILL SUPPORT A MINIMUM DESIGN VERTICAL LOAD OF 20 POUNDS PER LINEAL FOOT WITH THE MAXIMUM DEFLECTION OF ½” AT THE FRONT EDGE.

4.1.4 GUTTER AND DOWNSPOUT SYSTEM ACCESSORIES SHALL BE DESIGNED TO PROVIDE A NEAT TRIM AND UNIFORM APPLICATION OF THE COMPONENTS. THE ACCESSORIES SHALL BE DESIGNED TO FIT OR MATE WITH THE ADJACENT SECTION OF THE SYSTEM.

4.2 MANUFACTURE

4.2.1 GUTTER. GUTTERS SHALL BE MANUFACTURED IN NOMINAL LENGTHS + ½” WITH A MAXIMUM LENGTH OF 33 FEET. BACK ANGLE SHALL BE 90 DEGREE + 5 DEGREES. GUTTERS SHALL LAY FLAT ON BOTTOM OF BACK WHEN BEING TESTED FOR CAMBER.

4.2.2 DOWNSPOUT.  DOWNSPOUTS SHALL BE LENGTH + ½” AS SPECIFIED BY THE MANUFACTURER. DIAGONAL MEASUREMENTS TO DETERMINE SQUARENESS SHALL BE WITHIN ½” DIFFERENCE. TWIST SHALL BE WITHIN 5 DEGREES IN 10 FOOT LENGTHS; SEAM LOCK MUST BE FULLY ENGAGED AND TIGHT, ONE END MUST BE SWEDGED TO FIT THE MATING PART.

4.3 COATING

4.3.1 METAL PRE-COATING TREATMENT.  ALL ALUMINUM TO BE PAINTED AFTER SUITABLE CLEANING TO REMOVE CONTAMINANTS, SHALL RECEIVE A SURFACE PREPARATION CHEMICAL TREATMENT MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION 2.2 AND APPLIED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SUPPLIER’S RECOMMENDATIONS. THE CHEMICAL PRE-COATING TREATMENT WHEN USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH A BAKED ORGANIC  COATING SHALL PRODUCE A TOTAL FINISHING SYSTEM CAPABLE OF MEETING IMPACT, ADHESION, FLEXIBILITY, HUMIDITY, SALT SPRAY AND ACCELERATED WEATHERING TESTS AS INDICATED IN SECTION 5.

4.3.2 OUTER SURFACE.

4.3.2.1 THE OUTER SURFACE OF THE GUTTER AND DOWNSPOUT SYSTEMS AND ACCESSORIES SHALL BE COATED WITH A PRODUCT MEETING THE REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION 2.3 APPLIED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE COATING MANUFACTURER’S DRY FILM THICKNESS RECOMMENDATION COVERING THE SPECIFIC TYPE OF COATING BEING USED AND IN NO CASE TO PRODUCE A (TOTAL) DRY FILM THICKNESS OF LESS THAN 0.8 MILS, AND MUST PASS ALL THE PERFORMANCE TESTS UNDER SECTION 5.

4.3.2.2 THE OUTER SURFACE OF THE GUTTER AND DOWNSPOUT SYSTEM AND ACCESSORIES SHALL BE SUBSTANTIALLY FREE FROM FLOWLINES, STREAKS, BLISTERS OR OTHER SURFACE IMPERFECTIONS.

4.3.2.3 GLOSS AND COLOR OF COATING SHALL BE CONTROLLED TO ACHIEVE A UNIFORM APPEARANCE.

4.3.3 INTERIOR SURFACES.  

THE INTERIOR SURFACES OF THE GUTTER AND DOWNSPOUT SYSTEMS SHALL BE PAINTED WITH A PRODUCT THAT PASSES ALL OF THE PERFORMANCE TESTS UNDER SECTION 5.

1. PERFORMANCE TESTS FOR COATINGS

5.1 COATING TESTS SHALL BE CONDUCTED ON 4” LONG PIECES CUT FROM FACTORY COATED AND FORMED SECTIONS, OR, EXCEPT AS NOTED, 3”X5” PANELS OF COATED SHEET OF THE SAME ALLOY, TEMPER AND THICKNESS BEFORE FORMING. THREE (3) PANELS ARE REQUIRED FOR EACH COATING TEST UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.

1. SALT SPRAY RESISTANCE. THREE (3) 4” LONG FACTORY COATED AND FORMED SECTIONS SHALLL BE EXPOSED AT A 15 DEGREE ANGLE TO 4% NEUTRAL SALT SPRAY, IN ACCORDANCE WITH ASTM B 117-73, OR METHOD 6061 OF FEDERAL TEST METHOD 141a FOR 1,000 HOURS.

   THIS EXPOSURE SHALL PRODUCE NO UNDER-CUTTING OF FILM FROM EDGES IN EXCESS OF 1/16". THE COATINGS ON BOTH THE BACK AND FRONT SIDES SHALL MEET THIS REQUIREMENT.
   

1. HUMIDITY RESISTANCE.  THREE (3) 4” LONG FACOTRY COATED AND FORMED SECTIONS SHALL WITHSTAND 1,000 HOURS OF 100 PER CENT RELATIVE HUMIDITY AT 100 + 2 DEGREE FARENHEIT IN A CABINET OPERATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH METHOD 6201 OF FEDERAL TEST METHOD 141a, WITHOUT FORMATION OF BLISTERS TO AN EXTENT GREATER THAN FOR FEW BLISTERS OF NO. 8 SIZE, IN FIGURE 4 OF ASTM D 714-56(1970). THE COATINGS ON BOTH THE BACK AND FRONT SIDES SHALL MEET THIS REQUIREMENT.

1.  FILM ADHESION.  NO REMOVAL OF THE COATING ON BOTH THE BACK AND FRONT SIDES OF ONE CLEAN AND DRY PANEL SHALL OCCUR WHEN TESTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH  ASTM D 3359-74 METHOD B.

1.  FILM HARDNESS.  THE FRONT OR EXPOSED SIDE COATING OF THREE (3) PANELS SHALL HAVE A MINIMUM PENCIL HARDNESS OF HB OR AS SPECIFIED BY THE COATING SUPPLIER'S DATA SHEET FOR THE PARTICULAR COATING BENG APPLIED WHEN TESTED AS FOLLOWS WITH DAMASCUS OR EQUIVALENT PENCILS:

STRIP APPROXIMATELY ¼” OF WOOD FROM THE PENCIL, LEAVING FULL DIAMETER OF LEAD 90 DEGREES TO PENCIL AXIS. HOLD PENCIL AT 45 DEGREES TO AND IN CONTACT WITH THE FILM SURFACE AND PUSH FORWARD ABOUT ¼”, USING AS MUCH DOWNWARD PRESSURE AS CAN BE APPLIED WITHOUT BREAKING THE LEAD. IF LEAD RUPTURES FILM, REPEAT PROCEDURE USING NEXT SOFTER GRADE PENCIL. PENCIL HARDNESS OF FILM IS THAT OF THE FIRST PENCIL WHICH WILL NOT RUPTURE FILM.

1. ACCELERATED EXPOSURE THERE SHALL BE NO LOSS OF ADHESION AND ONLY CAULKING OR COLOR CHANGE, PLUS NORMAL WATER STAINING, WHEN THE FRONT OR EXPOSED SIDE COATINGS ON TWO (2) PANELS ARE EXPOSED FOR 500 HOURS IN AN ATLAS TYPE XW WEATHER-O-METER IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL TEST METHOD 141a, NUMBER 6151 OR 1,000 HOURS IN AN ATLAS TYPE DMC WEATHER-O-METER OR EQUIVALENT, OPERATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ASTM D 822-60(1973), USING A CYCLE OF 102 MINUTES OF LIGHT AND 18 MINUTES OF LIGHT AND DEMINERALIZED WATER.

1. FORMING TEST THREE (3) 4” LONG FACTORY COATED AND FOMRED SECTIONS SHALL BE CHECKED FOR CRAZING ON ALL BENDS TO THE WEATHER. SLIGHT MICROCRACKING OF THE COATING IN THE BEND AREA IS PERMISSIBLE, HOWEVER, SCOTCH TAPE, AS SPECIFIED IN 5.4 SHALL NOT REMOVE THE FILM WHEN PULLED SHARPLY FROM THE BEND AREA.

SECTIONS FROM PRODUCTION RUNS SHALL BE USED FOR THIS TEST.

1.  DRY FILM THICKNESS COATING THICKNESS SHALL BE DETERMINED ON THREE (3) PANELS EITHER DESTRUCTIVELY BY MEANS OF A MICROMETER, MEAUSREMENTS BEING TAKEN AT LEAST ½” FROM CUT EDGES, OR NON-DESTRUCTIVELY IN ACCORDANCE WITH PERMASCOPE OR DERMITRON EQUIPMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH ASTM D 1400-67, METHOD C.
2. IMPACT TEST THREE (3) 4” LONG FACTORY COATED AND FORMED SECTION SHALL BE SUBJECTED TO REVERSE IMPACE AT 77 + 2 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. IMPACT FORCE (BY USE PF GARDNER VARIABLE IMPACT TESTER, OR EQUIVALENT) IN IN.-LBS. SHALL BE 1,000 TIMES THE THICKNESS OF THE ALUMINUM BEING TESTED AS MEASURED IN INCHES, 1.E., 24 IN – LBS. FOR METAL 0.024” THICK. SLIGHT MICROCRACKING OF THE COATING IN THE IMPACT IS PERMISSIBLE, HOWEVER, SCOTCH TAPE, AS SPECIFIED IN 5.4 SHALL NOT REMOVE THE FILM WHEN PULLED SHARPLY AT RIGH TANGLE TO THE TEST SURFACE.
3. GLOSS DETERMINIATION. THE GLOSS OF THE FRONT SURFACE COATING SHALL BE TESTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ASTM D523-67(1972) AT 60 DEGREE AND 85 DEGREE FARENHEIT.

1. PACKING

6.1 THE GUTTER AND DOWNSPOUT SYSTEMS AND ACCESSORIES SHALL BE SECURELY PACKED IN CONTAINERS WITH SUITABLE INTERLEAVING WHERE NECESSARY TO PROTECT THE COATING.

1. MARKING

7.1 EACH SHIPPING CARTON SHALL BE PLAINLY MARKED WITH THE NAME AND BRAND, AS WELL AS THE STYLE, LENGTH (LINEAL), QUANTITY (COUNT), TYPE AND COLOR OF THE FINISHED PRODUCT.

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