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Thread: Cleaning Acrylite FF Acrylic

  1. #1
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    Cleaning Acrylite FF Acrylic

    I just made some awards and I need to clean them off. Soap and water is not doing the job. Any suggestions?

  2. #2
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    Wat are you trying to clean them of? If it's something sticky, Goo Gone (or other orange oil-based solution) works. If you're trying to get rid of light scratches, a plastic polish should be used. Deep scratches are more readily dealt with using a flame polisher.
    Hi-Tec Designs, LLC -- Owner (and self-proclaimed LED guru )

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  3. #3
    If they're cast use dna then plastic polish. Novus is good stuff or you can use automotive polishes.
    Mike Null

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  4. #4
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    DSCN8792.jpgDSCN8793.jpgDSCN8791.jpg I am getting hazing around the edges when I vector cut these. The third picture shows it the best.

    Thanks

  5. #5
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    Are you masking these before cutting? Tough pictures to view, but it looks a bit like dust from the cutting process is settling on the edges...
    Hi-Tec Designs, LLC -- Owner (and self-proclaimed LED guru )

    Trotec 80W Speedy 300 laser w/everything
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  6. #6
    DNA will clean that but be sure it's cast or it will craze.
    Mike Null

    St. Louis Laser, Inc.

    Trotec Speedy 300, 80 watt
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  7. #7
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    If you will cut that with a mask on it, it won't do that. Are you using a cutting grid? What your getting is bounce back from the laser beam. If that is cast acrylic, you may be able to get by with cleaning it with DNA. If it's extruded, it will more than likely craze when you use alcohol on it and when that happens, throw it in the trash and start over. You might also try some Novis plastic cleaner and see if that helps it.

    Edit: oops I just read it again..he said "Acrylite FF"- that's EXTRUDED.
    Epilog Legend EXT36-40watt, Corel X4, Canon iPF8000 44" printer,Photoshop CS6, Ioline plotter, Hotronix Swinger Heat Press, Ricoh GX e3300 Sublimation

  8. #8
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    I peeled the paper off of the top to raster and vector cut it. This residue ends up being on the top around the edges. I have read other posts about DNA and isopropanol and it does craze when using the Iso. I ran a few pieces with the raster first and then put masking tape over it and vector cut it. This is kind of a pain to do since it is not a normal shape, it a contour around our high school logo. I thought a quick rub around the edges with something would do the trick. Maybe it is a pipe dream

  9. #9
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    Peel the original mask off and replace it (entirely) with transfer tape.
    Hi-Tec Designs, LLC -- Owner (and self-proclaimed LED guru )

    Trotec 80W Speedy 300 laser w/everything
    CAMaster Stinger CNC (25" x 36" x 5")
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    Jet JWBS-18QT-3 18", 3HP bandsaw
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    Delta 18-900L 18" drill press

    Flame Polisher (ooooh, FIRE!)
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  10. #10
    If the mask is paper leave it on. You can raster and vector through it with no problem.
    Mike Null

    St. Louis Laser, Inc.

    Trotec Speedy 300, 80 watt
    Gravograph IS400
    Woodworking shop CLTT and Laser Sublimation
    Dye Sublimation
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  11. #11
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    I vector cut first and then "carefully" peel the tape off in place to do the rastering. That seems to work and you can do it pretty quickly, but you have to be careful not to move stuff. I tape it down pretty good.
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  12. #12
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    i found that removing paper mask, apply furniture polish and buff, raster and cut will minimise this edge problem. I noticed that the raster dust settling on the surface "reacts" with the acrylic probably from the heat of the laser.
    Sam Gardner Seychelles Islands, Indian Ocean
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  13. #13
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    There is a plastic polish make by a company called NOVA I use the type 2 (red bottle) and it takes off that "haze" but sometimes you have to work at it a little while.

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by matt aiken View Post
    There is a plastic polish make by a company called NOVA I use the type 2 (red bottle) and it takes off that "haze" but sometimes you have to work at it a little while.
    Is that the Novus 2 ? I use that on acrylic and usually follow it up with Hut Ultra Gloss
    (similar product, finer abrasive)

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