Guide to Cleaning Adhesives or Glue from Acrylic Glass Sheets
Here is a simple guide to help you keep acrylic surfaces residue-free!
07/01/2021
Being incredibly versatile and durable material, plexiglass has found its way into many of our workplaces and homes! From being used as sneeze guards in restaurants and point of sale counters, building DIY greenhouses to window panes at home – they are everywhere!
Like many surfaces in our homes and workplaces, we strive to keep them clean and in tip top condition! We know it can be tough – especially with little ones who love pasting stickers everywhere they find a place or perhaps even workers who unknowingly stuck a poster onto an acrylic surface!
To help you out, here is a simple guide to help you keep acrylic surfaces residue-free!
6 simple tips to remove sticky residue off Plexiglas/acrylic surfaces:
Using Soap and Water
If the sticky residue does not look too stuck, you can try this gentle removal method first.
- ● Mix dish soap and warm water together (One small tablespoon will do with a cup of water – adjust accordingly if you are using more water).
- ● Use a soft cleaning cloth and let it soak up the mixture.
- ● Place the soaked cloth on the sticky area, make sure it is in contact and let it do its work for a few minutes. Simply leave the cloth on the surface if it is a flat one. In case, if it is a vertical surface, make sure to apply pressure.
- ● Using a clean dry cloth, simply wipe the sticky residue and soap mixture off the surface in slow gentle circles motion. This should get the sticky residue off.
Using Baby Oil
If you are worried about using harsh chemicals on surfaces your kids might play on, try this safer alternative.
- ● Use any baby oil product and squeeze it out onto the sticky patch enough to saturate it for a few minutes.
- ● Using a clean dry cloth, try to slowly clean off the mixture of baby-oil/residue in the same circular motions. That should do it!
Using Vinegar and warm water
For small patches of residue, you can try this natural non-chemical removal method.
- ● Find any clear vinegar you have in the kitchen and warm it up (try not to use coloured vinegar as you do not want to accidentally stain the surface).
- ● Exactly like the method with soap and water above, use a soft cleaning cloth and let it soak up the mixture.
- ● Place the cloth in contact with the residue patch and wipe it off with a clean cloth.
Using a Utility Blade
For more persistent patches you can try this similar removal method.
- ● Simply get a sharp new blade to slowly scrape off the glue patch or residue on the surface.
Make sure to use slow sliding motions at a
shallow angle to avoid scratching the surface of
the
polycarbonate panels.
Using Turpentine, Rubbing Alcohol or Nail Polish
If you are worried about leaving scratches, you can try eliminating them with these tougher chemicals – still easy to find in most households.
- ● Get a soft cloth and apply sufficient amounts of any one of the above chemicals to the cloth to saturate it. Make sure to use gloves.
- ● Rub the soaked cloth gently across the surface to slowly get the residue out.
- ● TIP: Make sure to apply these chemicals only to the residue patch and not anywhere else on the surface.
Using Commercial Residue Removal or Plastic Cleaner Products
If all the above methods have failed you, it is time for the professionals. Take a trip to the hardware store and find commercial products designed to get rid of those stubborn sticky patches.
Last but not least, do take note of all the above methods: Make sure to wipe down with clean water and blot dry to prevent any spots caused by liquids left on the surfaces.
Tips to Maintain Plexiglass in Tip Top Condition
Hopefully, the above methods would serve well in helping you get rid of those nasty looking glue residues off your acrylic surfaces!
Now that you have a clean slate, how can you make sure you keep it that way in the future?
Here are some simple ways you can properly care for your plexiglass surfaces:
- ● Regularly wipe down the surfaces with non-abrasive or microfiber cloths. It is important to use soft cloths as such to prevent scratching the surface of the acrylic glass. Avoid paper towels
- ● Avoid using too much pressure on the surface
- ● Do not use overly harsh cleaners which would damage the surfaces – mild soap and water are sufficient to help get rid of day to day dirt and debris. Avoid ammonia-based products.
- ● Repairing small scratches or haziness – do not panic if you see minor defects on the surfaces. Simply use a car (wax) or plastic polish and buff it to remove them.
- ● Always remove residual solvents or liquids with a clean dry cloth