Five Tips for Cleaning Plastics

Keep your plastic surfaces glossy by using adapted cleaning products and following these recommendations:

Polycarbonate is used for many things, including shop windows, safety glass and display cases. The major advantages of using this type of plastic are its transparency, gloss and impact resistance.

In museums and commercial projects, acrylics appear to be favoured for their aesthetics, resistance and transparency and because they are easy to work with and keep clean.

However, badly maintained plastics can quickly deteriorate, no matter how high their quality.

Know that a large number of household cleaners contain abrasives that can scratch plastics. Some even contain solvents that can attack the plastic surface and cause crazing (fine surface cracks that tarnish the plastic).

Also, when handling and cleaning acrylic and polycarbonate, these types of plastic tend to retain an electrostatic charge that attracts dust.

It is therefore important to use specially formulated products that minimize the electrostatic effect and do not scratch or bleach the surfaces.

1. Do not use cleaners that contain ammonia, solvents or alcohol that can damage acrylic and polycarbonate.
2. Use a damp cloth to remove dirt and dust from the surface. Avoid using your hand or a dry cloth.
3. Once the surface is clean, spray with a mild soap.
4. Use lint-free, non-abrasive, absorbent cloths to wipe the surface.
5. Pass these tips on to your maintenance team.