Ten Things Always to Do

The Lustron owners in this ad know to ALWALYS use the gentlest means possible to clean your Lustron.

1. Consider yourself lucky! Appreciate your Lustron for its unique character. You have a unique house. Yes, it poses of unique challenges but you own or occupy one of only 2,680 Lustrons ever built. Visit Lustron History to learn more.
2. Inspect. Routinely inspect the exterior of your house is essential to make sure that:
   • Joints are sealed
   • Trees, shrubs and other plans aren’t rubbing against walls, roof or windows.
   • Gutters are clean and free of debris and that downspouts drain away from the house.

Keep an eye on the interior to make sure that:

• Panels aren’t stressed (a bulging panel could be a sign of trouble with the foundation or a wall system).
• Plumbing leaks aren’t causing panels to rust.

3. Maintain. Routine and timely maintenance will help preserve your Lustron and avoid costly repairs. Fix small problems before they become big ones. More information on maintenance can be found in Help for Lustrons.
4. Repair. Think repair rather than replacement. Repairs should be gentle, retaining as much of the “historic fabric” or in this case metal, as possible. For example, replacing your original windows, doors, or roof with inappropriate materials will alter the historic character of your Lustron and could cause more problems down the road. More inform on repair can be found in Help for Lustrons.
5. Be cautious. For any cleaning method:

• • Figure out the cause, it could be an indication of another problem, which might need to be fixed to avoid a recurrence of the damage.
  • Be realistic. Lustrons were built more than half a century ago. You can think of a little “patina” as part of that legacy, especially if the panels might be damaged if you try to get them as clean as new.
  • On the other hand, if dirt or scum has the potential to cause deterioration, it should be removed.
  • Begin with the gentlest means possible; progress to more aggressive cleaning methods only when necessary.
  • Use clean, natural-fiber cloths or clean sponges to avoid scratching the surface.
  • For scrubbing, use a nylon scouring pad or a soft-bristled brush (do not use a metal-wire bristle brush); use as little pressure as is necessary to get the job done.
  • Test, test, test! Test on a small, inconspicuous area first to make sure that panels won’t be damaged.
  • Be sure to rinse area with plenty of plain water after cleaning.

Learn more by visiting Help for Lustrons.

6. Be an informed owner. Prior to embarking on a repair, or hiring a contractor, consult the appropriate section of the website, review the available documentation and consult with other owners. Spend some time with the Erection Manual.
7. Document your work. Keep a notebook of work that you do on your Lustron. Take before and after pictures, take notes, and save receipts and work orders.
8. If your Lustron has sufficient integrity, consider having it listed on the National Register of Historic Places. More information on National Register listing can be found here.
9. If an element of your Lustron needs to be replaced, strive to find salvage materials from other Lustrons. If salvage materials are not available, work to find materials that match the original.
10. Hire qualified professionals. The Lustron is a unique house. Not every contractor will feel comfortable working on a Lustron. Avoid contractors who don’t seem willing to work with you to find the best solution that will solve the problem. In some areas, there is a concentration of Lustrons, consult with other owners to identify qualified contractors. Print relevant sections of the website or Erection Manual for them to review.