PLEXIGLAS® – Cleaning and Care

Plastics normally become statically charged and attract dust as a result. Out of doors this is usually prevented by air and moisture, whereas in closed rooms this phenomenon is promoted by mechanical friction at the plastics surfaces, air currents and dry air.

For this reason, slightly soiled material should be treated immediately (heavily soiled material after thorough cleaning) with an antistatic agent, e.g. Burnus ANTISTATIC PLASTICS CLEANER, which should be sprayed on and distributed with a soft cloth without wiping the surface dry. The dust-repellent effect is then retained for a prolonged period of time.

Subsequent polishing of stressed surfaces (especially of PLEXIGLAS^®) can be performed easily and effectively using the right cleaning and polishing agents.

Windows and other exposed glazing areas may be cleaned by means of a highpressure spray-cleaning unit, possibly with some dishwashing liquid in the water.

Cleaning

Dirt can hardly cling to the smooth surfaces of PLEXIGLAS^®. Dust is removed with water and some dishwashing liquid, using a soft, non-linting cloth or sponge. Never wipe the sheets dry and use only non-scouring agents for more intensive cleaning, e.g. ANTISTATIC PLASTICS CLEANER. A Vileda^® Microclean cloth slightly dampened with water only has a good, largely streak-free cleaning effect. To remove more obstinate and especially greasy stains from PLEXIGLAS^®, petroleum ether or benzine may be used.

'Post-treatment' of the smooth and glossy PLEXIGLAS^® plastic surfaces is very simply done – even by hand – using polishing liquid or paste. These agents can also be applied by means of an orbital sander, provided it is covered with a soft cloth, or a lambswool polishing wheel.

Should there ever be scratches on a sheet of PLEXIGLAS^®, these can be eliminated from the smooth surface without any problem. Treat the scratched area first with wet sandpaper of, say, grit 240, and then go over it with 400- to 600-grit paper. Finally polish the sheet with a soft cloth and ACRYLIC POLISHING PASTE or commercially available car polish, or else use a buffing wheel and polishing wax.

High-Pressure Cleaning

Large glazed areas or facades are often cleaned mechanically, using rotating brushes, squeegees and the like. No such methods are suitable for PLEXIGLAS^®: Even if brushes are used with copious amounts of water, there is no way to exclude scratching of the sheet surfaces.

On the other hand, outward-facing PLEXIGLAS^® surfaces can conveniently be cleaned with high-pressure/hot-water cleaning units. The recommended pressure is 50 to 100 bar and the water temperature should be between 50 and 80°C. Via the integrated dosing unit, approx. 1 to 3 % of a moderately foaming cleaning concentrate should be added to the washwater. Going over the surface once more with a squeegee is then neither necessary nor advisable. The sheets may, however, be wiped with a clean cloth to speed up air drying.

Removal of Graffiti

Spray paints on PLEXIGLAS^® GS and XT can be removed with water-soluble brush cleaner. To this end, cover the paint with a soaked cloth for up to 20 minutes, depending on type and layer thickness and then wash it off with plenty of water. Pretreatment with paint-repellent substances is not recommended for acrylics.