59

Lacquered Brass Hardware Regularly dust and periodically using warm water with a mild detergent (pH neutral solution) with a non- abrasive cloth to remove any dirt, dust, or sand. Lacquers are not a permanent finish and will wear off at a rate equivalent to usage and location, there can be no guarantee of its permanency or longevity.

Once the lacquer has broken down if you wish to restore, remove the hardware from the Greenhouse, use acetone thinners to remove any remaining lacquer, it can then be polished and re-lacquered. Altentively, leave the lacquer to naturally break down and maintain as explained in 'Unlacquered Brass - Screws & Washers' above.

Autovent Maintenance The Autovent has two strong stainless-steel springs which assist in closing the vent when the wax cools. The springs also act as a safety mechanism. Should the vent be subject to a strong gust of wind on a day when the vent is open then the piston will disengage, causing the vent to shut. Once the winds have passed it is necessary to reset the Autovent manually.

This can be done by lifting the flap by hand (working against the force of the springs) and realigning the piston rod with the hole in the bracket that is attached to the aluminium flap.

Alternatively, the nut that is attached to the bracket that secures the piston to the wood can be loosened allowing the piston to drop down. Once the piston is aligned with the hole in the upper bracket it can be repositioned as before and the nut tightened.

The Autovent cylinders are regarded as a consumable part and are covered by warranty to be effective for at least two years after which time they can be easily replaced. These can be purchased directly over the phone from Gabriel Ash or online by visiting www.gabrielash.com.

Please note that the nut on the bottom of the piston should not be tampered with as it will result in the release of the mineral wax and affect the performance of the Autovent.