Peel the plastic film off before you use the equipment and before it gets near any heat. If the film tears or leaves glue behind, warm it gently, peel slowly, and clean the residue with warm soapy water and a soft cloth, wiping in the direction of the grain.
Why new stainless steel has film on it
Many stainless steel work tables, sinks, shelves and equipment panels are shipped with a thin plastic film stuck to the finished surfaces. It protects the steel from scratches in the factory and in transit. It is meant to come off at installation. Film that is left on traps water and food underneath, and on anything that gets warm it bakes onto the steel and becomes far harder to remove.
Take it off during assembly
The easiest moment is while you are putting the piece together, before parts are bolted up. Look for film in the places people miss:
- The underside of table tops and undershelves
- Around legs, gussets and sockets, where film gets pinched once the legs are tightened
- Backsplashes and side splashes
- Sink bowls, drainboards and the edges around faucet holes
- Door and drawer fronts on refrigeration and cabinets
Film is sometimes clear and hard to see. Run a fingernail across a corner. If the surface looks slightly dull or you can catch an edge, there is film on it.
How to peel it cleanly
Lift a corner with a fingernail or a plastic scraper. Do not use a knife or a razor blade, which will scratch the steel. Pull the film back over itself at a low angle, slowly and steadily. Pulling straight up tends to tear it into strips.
If the film is stuck
Film that has sat in a hot warehouse or in sunlight can bond tightly. These steps are common practice among installers:
- Warm a small area with a hair dryer on low for a short time, then peel while it is warm. Do not use a torch or a high-heat gun, which can melt the film into the surface.
- Work in small sections and rewarm as you go.
- Where the film is pinched under a leg or a bracket, loosen the fastener, pull the film out, and tighten it again.
Removing the adhesive left behind
Start mild and only step up if you have to.
- Warm water with dish detergent and a soft cloth or a non-scratch pad. Wipe with the grain of the steel, not across it.
- If glue remains, rub a little cooking oil or mineral oil into it, let it sit for a few minutes, and wipe it away.
- For stubborn spots, use an adhesive remover that the label says is safe for stainless steel, and follow its directions.
Do not use steel wool, wire brushes or scouring powder. They scratch the finish and steel wool leaves particles that rust. Keep chlorine bleach and cleaners that contain chlorides off the steel.
Before food touches it
Oil and adhesive remover are not something you want on a prep surface. Once the residue is gone, wash the surface with detergent, rinse it with clean water, sanitize it the way you sanitize your other food-contact surfaces, and let it air dry. Then the equipment is ready for service.
What to buy
If you are setting up new stainless, see our stainless steel work tables, commercial sinks, shelving and wall shelves and equipment stands. Legs, casters and other parts are in table accessories. Freight to the 48 contiguous states is included in the price.