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Craig Hogarth
08-21-2007, 12:50 AM
I have a display case which I'm using for all my acrylic. The top shelf holds all demo items and has 4 lights above it. The acrylic gets very warm to the touch after several hours. Acrylic ranges from 1/2 to 1 inch. Will the heat make these unpresentable after time?
Marc Myer
08-21-2007, 4:09 PM
Acrylic is good to about 145 degrees, then begins to soften. At 155, it droops and melts. If the case temp stays below that, it should be OK.
I haven't seen acrylic degrade over time: our local suppliers have had the same displays for 20+ years: they dust it every decade!
Brian Robison
08-21-2007, 4:15 PM
Craig, any chance of changing the bulbs to florescent?
James A. Wolfe
08-24-2007, 11:09 PM
Craig,
You might consider LED lighting. There's a thread currently running regarding edge lit signs that has some great info.
Jim
Craig Hogarth
08-25-2007, 1:21 AM
Craig, any chance of changing the bulbs to florescent?

It's a display case with sunken light bulbs. I could go with those small energy efficient ones, but they stick out and it doesn't look so great.

Marc, thanks for the feedback. The acrylic is hot, but still can be held with no problem. I figure it's gotta be well under 145.