Whether you're adding a high-end look to retail displays or using one of our custom acrylic display cases to display beloved keepsakes, collectibles, crafts, and models, it's important to know how to properly clean and care for this versatile material. Because sometimes a dirty acrylic surface can negatively impact the viewing experience due to a combination of factors such as dust particles in the air, grease on your fingertips, and airflow. It is natural for the surface of an acrylic display case to become slightly hazy if it has not been cleaned for a period of time.
Acrylic is a very strong, optically clear material that can last for years if handled properly, so be kind to your acrylic. Listed below are some helpful tips to keep your acrylic products bouncy and bright.
Choose The Right Cleaner
You want to choose a cleaner designed for cleaning plexiglass(acrylic). These will be non-abrasive and ammonia-free. We highly recommend NOVUS Cleaner for Acrylic.
NOVUS No.1 Plastic Clean & Shine has an antistatic formula that removes negative charges that attract dust and dirt. Sometimes you may notice some minor scratches after cleaning, but you don't need to worry about it. It can be easily polished with a buffing technique or some fine scratches with NOVUS No.2 remover. NOVUS No.3 Remover is used for heavier scratches and requires NOVUS No.2 for final polishing.
You can also use Acrifix, an antistatic cleaner specially designed to restore clarity to acrylic surfaces.
Friendly Reminder
If you have some acrylic casings, we recommend purchasing a three-pack of cleaner and scratch remover. NOVUS is a household name for acrylic cleaners.
Choose A Cloth
The ideal cleaning cloth should be non-abrasive, absorbent, and lint-free. A microfiber cleaning cloth is the best way to clean acrylic because it meets these conditions. NOVUS Polish Mates are the best microfiber cloths because they are durable, abrasion resistant, and highly absorbent.
You can also use a soft cotton cloth such as a diaper instead. But make sure it's not rayon or polyester, as these can leave scratches.
Proper Cleaning Steps
1, If your surface is extremely dirty, you will want to spray your acrylic liberally with NOVUS No.1 Plastic Clean & Shine.
2, Use a long, sweeping stroke to wipe up the dirt from the surface. Make sure not to put pressure on the display case as lingering dirt may scratch the surface.
3, Spray your NOVUS No.1 onto a clean portion of your cloth and polish your acrylic with short, circular strokes.
4, When you have covered the entire surface with NOVUS, use a clean portion of your cloth and buff your acrylic. This will make the display case more resistant to dust and scratching.
Cleaning Products To Avoid
Not all acrylic cleaning products are safe to use. You should avoid using any of these products as they can damage your acrylic display box rendering it unusable.
- Do not use paper towels, dry cloths, or your hands to clean your custom acrylic display case! This will rub dirt and dust into the acrylic and scratch the surface.
- Do not use the same cloth that you clean other household items with, as cloth can retain dirt, particles, oils, and chemical residues that may scratch or damage your case.
- Do not use amino products like Windex, 409, or glass cleaner, they are not designed to clean acrylic. Glass cleaners contain harmful chemicals that can damage plastic or cause small cracks in edges and drilled areas. It will also leave a cloudy look on the acrylic sheet that can permanently damage your display case.
- Do not use vinegar-based products to clean acrylic. Just like glass cleaners, the acidity of vinegar can permanently damage your acrylic. Mild soap and water can be used as a natural way to clean acrylic.
Post time: Apr-15-2022