Acrylic Maintenance and Care
Support
Our acrylic makes for an easy-care product. The smooth, nonporous surface already prevents larger particles, like dirt, from clinging to the surface. The big preventative step you can take is to reduce the static electricity that causes the surface to attract dust. For this reason, a dry cloth should not be used for dusting. Even though it may do the trick in the short-term, it will soon lead to more dust on the surface.
Basic Cleaning Instructions
The “home remedy” solution is to use warm water and a couple drops of mild detergent. The cleaning rag should be lint-free and thoroughly rinsed. Do not substitute paper towels, which may leave micro-scratching, for either cleaning or drying the surface. With the right cleaning materials, you can easily remove most dust and grime without creating an additional static discharge. For even better results, you can use a specially formulated cleaner for acrylics. We recommend “Novus Plastic Clean & Shine“.
What to Avoid when Cleaning Acrylic
No matter how dirty the surface, it’s important to avoid unnecessary damage. Do not use an abrasive or scouring pad. This is also not a situation where you can try out different cleaning solutions. The acrylic must not be exposed to organic, oil-based solvents. This includes:
- Acetone/nail polish remover
- Paint thinner or comparable product
- Benzene
- Rubbing, denatured, or other alcohol-based solutions
- Carbon tetrachloride/tetrachloromethane
Polishing = Heavy Duty Cleaning
For scratches and other marks that do not respond to basic cleaning, polishing is the way to renew your acrylic. After the cleaning is done and the surface is completely dry, you can apply the polish. We recommend “3M Finesse-It #09639“. Again, a soft, lint-free cloth is crucial. This can be done either by hand or with a polishing machine for an easier process and a smoother finish. Just be sure not to go too hard, too long or else you may create thermal stress that threatens the integrity of the acrylic.
To apply the polish, you want to take a snake-like S pattern across the surface, first horizontally and then vertically. Smaller polish jobs can use an L-shape followed by a circular motion. (If you are still unable to remove the blemish, the scratch is probably too deep. In these circumstances, the only recourse is an incremental wet sanding, finishing with an 800-grit abrasive, and another coat of polish.)
After polishing, any residual polish should be removed. This can be done with the same “Novus Plastic Clean & Shine“, another reason to opt for this specially formulated cleaner. Simply follow the basic cleaning instructions on the bottle.