Removing protective paper from old Plexiglass?

[John McClanahan]

I have a chance to pick up on some aged white plexiglass that still has the protective paper on it. Needless to saw, the paper is stuck to it. Is there anything that will make the paper release? I would like to use it to practice on with my CNC router.

Thanks,
John

[David Fairfield]

Try Goo Gone, let it soak in a while. It doesn't release the paper but it softens the adhesive so its easier to peel and scrape off.

Dave

[Joe Pelonio]

I've not had luck with soaking, it has made a mess because the paper deteriorates but the inside part against the acrylic is plastic so the liquid never reaches the adhesive. I have used a heat gun (carefully) or hair dryer and it helps some but it's still a chore.

[JAIME PUJOL]

I had luck in using a Hair dryer and heated up to loosen the glue

[Richard Coers]

I've had pretty good luck with WD40. You just have to be patient, and let it work.

[John McClanahan]

Well, most liquids don't penetrate the plastic membrane, as Joe pointed out. A blow drier is slow. I have a hotter heat gun I will give a try.

Thanks,
John

[Mike Chance in Iowa]

I haven't had an opportunity to try this, but applying steam to the backing might remove it. I have an old steam machine (it is NOT a carpet cleaner) that I have used to remove all sorts of wallpaper and sticker residue over the last 15 years. Now that I think about it, I have used it to clean all sorts of plastics and other items that regular hard-core scrubbing could not successfully clean. (hmmmm.. I may need to dig it out from storage and test it out on some engraved products....) Anyway, you would need to be careful. I have melted a few things over the years but they most-likely had vinyl on them. BTW. The steamer is a household cleaning machine and not strong enough to steam clean an engine.

[John McClanahan]

Followup. I used a heat gun set at around 500 degrees to warm the paper. It was slow going and the plastic membrane peeled off in small pieces. I did a 24x28 piece on one side to practice on. I mostly learned its not worth the time and effort!

John

[Mike Null]

I've tried and failed with all of the suggestions above and more. DNA works as well as anything but don't expect miracles.

[John Noell]

Just curious - what kind of protective paper do you have there? I mostly see a thin white paper here (not plasticy at all) but some of the USA imports have a brown paper with a plasticy coating. Here in the tropics, removal of both kinds often is difficult. There is no obvious adhesive with the white paper and it either falls off before use or sticks like paint. Hot soapy water seems to work as well as anything when it sticks.

[John McClanahan]

Mine had brown paper with a very thin plastic layer that contacted the plexiglass. Wetting the paper just makes a mess and doesn't penetrate the plastic layer. Dry heat seemed to work the best.

John

[Bill Cunningham]

I have some here I picked up someplace.. It has brown paper on one side, and white on the other. The white side is printed with the text informing you that that side is the abrasive resistant side?? I've never seen two sided acrylic before..and it is acrylic, not polycarb. I assume it's treated with something, or somehow to prevent scratches

[John Noell]

"Acrylic Sheet AR is a continuously manufactured acrylic sheet which utilizes the proprietary 3M 906 abrasion resistant coating on one (AR1) or both (AR2)."

[Bill Cunningham]

Ahh Cool.. Thanks John... This is just some stuff that I picked up someplace. I previously didn't know you could get acrylic with a abrasion resist on it.. I'll have to test a piece, and see how resistant it is..

[Dan Hintz]

If it's the same stuff DeGussa sells, it's pretty damn amazing stuff. They include a piece of steel wool in the sample pack, and it takes a real beating without showing signs of haziness or scratches.

[Bill Cunningham]

It must be the same stuff they use to coat eyeglasses to keep them from scratching.. Looking at my reading glasses, it only works for a while:confused:

[Clarence Miller]

Have you tried putting a wet rag on the paper and pressing the rag with hot clothing iron? Steam may release it. Getting the adhesive residue may require the use of an ammonia based cleaner but I have used WD40 for the residue of labels before. I don't know how WD40 will react to plexiglass.

[Ed Mihalack]

I've tried everything and baby oil and window cleaner to remove it worked for me. It takes some time, so let it soak in.
Ed

[Phil Thien]

If these are larger flexible pieces, how about bowing them and holding them in a clamp for a day or two. Perhaps that will help break the bond.

I'd try protective coating on the concave side first.

[Tim Baude]

I had some pre cut acrylic to put over photos and the paper was taking forever to get off....so as per usual, I put off the job because it was bothering me. We have had several 80 degree days and I sat down tonight figuring I had a long night ahead of me peeling paper...lo and behold both sides peeled off in one pull. So my thoughts on getting the paper to come off easliy is procrastinate until you absolutely have to do it and hope for some real hot weather.....
Tim

[Pete Thomas]

Hi John, you might want to try this product, it's called Maskoff. I have used in the past with good success. I got mine at a local plastics distributor in the area. With a quick google search I found this site.

http://www.rplastics.com/maskingremover.html

Be sure to let it soak into the paper for 10-15 minutes.

-pete

[Bob Mongiello]

I have a chance to pick up on some aged white plexiglass that still has the protective paper on it. Needless to saw, the paper is stuck to it. Is there anything that will make the paper release? I would like to use it to practice on with my CNC router.

Thanks,
John

I spent a lot of time trying to remove protective paper and tried WD40 , goof off ,GOO gone mineral spirits and razor blade all to no avail or very little progress so I set it aside for a future project . Then i sold a food trailer that had stickers all over it and I asked the guy how did he remove them so quickly and he said he took it to a car wash and used the hot wax setting and they came right off . So I fired up my cheap pressure washer from HF and tried it out and it took it right off!! So give that a try .

[Bill George]

FYI Bob you just replied to an 11 year old topic, New folks just want to post something.... please but check the dates first? PS I take stickers off with my hot air gun, a little heat and they peel right off.

[Jerome Stanek]

FYI Bob you just replied to an 11 year old topic, New folks just want to post something.... please but check the dates first? PS I take stickers off with my hot air gun, a little heat and they peel right off.

That was a good hint as I have a lot of old plexi with the paper stuck on