The conservation of plastic materials that are used in construction and architecture depends to a great extent on the maintenance and cleaning that is made of them. However, using the wrong products can have serious consequences that end up damaging or deteriorating the material. Here are some key tips on how to clean a methacrylate screen which will be very useful due to the increase in demand due to the coronavirus crisis.

BASIC TIPS ON HOW TO CLEAN A METHACRYLATE SCREEN

Most important to clean a methacrylate screen without damaging it is to bear in mind that it should not be dry cleaned due to the danger of scratching it and all kinds of products that contain alcohol should be avoided -except for exceptions that are explained later-, as well as solvents or abrasive liquids. The use of glass cleaner is not recommended either. It must be taken into account that the transparency of methacrylate is 92%, and that if these recommendations are not followed, this property of the material may be altered.

So, how to clean a methacrylate screen? A soft cloth dampened with water is a good procedure to remove dust and avoid charging the screen with static electricity that will attract dust again. If degreasing, removing stains and / or disinfecting the screen is required, you can use neutral soap added to the water and then remove it with a soft cloth. For the application it is recommended to moisten it only slightly, since if there is a lot of soap, cleaning will be much more tedious.

However, manufacturers recommend using specific products for cleaning such as Netacril that facilitate cleaning and provide a protective layer that prevents the attraction of dust and hinders the appearance of scratches due to daily rubbing. Its application is very simple in 3 steps:

1. It is applied by spraying
2. Spread with a soft cloth. In case of stains, you can moisten one end of the cloth to rub the stain a little.
3. With the same cloth or a dry one, the excess is removed until the original shine is obtained.

Alternatively, for large surfaces, the entire surface can be impregnated with a Netacril-impregnated sponge and the excess can be removed with a soft glass drying eraser. The excess product from passing the rubber can be collected by putting the sponge underneath. It is not recommended to do with water or other products due to the risk of scratching the surface.

STAINS AND SPECIFIC PROBLEMS IN CLEANING METHACRYLATE PARTITIONS

The above is what ideal for regular cleaning of partitions made of this material. However, for specific stains, you can rub a cloth pre-moistened with pure isopropyl alcohol or diluted (pharmacy) methyl alcohol at less than 60% concentration. In any case, it will be to apply only where the problem is. In addition, it should be avoided in any case to run it over the edges, since it would produce the crazing effect consisting of the appearance of micro-cracks.

Polymer Technic is a supplier of all types of plastics for construction and architecture that offers customized solutions for professionals and individuals. Contact without obligation if you have any questions or related questions.