posted
Just wanted to ask what is the best way to remove vinyl & glue from a lexan/plexi sign and what you used to get the old glue off. I don't want to mess up the sign if I can help it. This is a new sign up less than a month the other person made a mess of the sign and I have been asked to redo it.
Thanks all
[ September 24, 2004, 07:49 PM: Message edited by: John Thomas ]
-------------------- John TheTagMan on chat Thomas Signs & Custom Graphics Posts: 29 | From: Ontario, Canada | Registered: Mar 2002
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posted
removing the vinyl should not be a problem if it only a month old. also most of the glue might come with the vinyl. hair dryer on med heat, lil' cisler and couple hours of pullin and tuggin and you shold be clean. what glue gets left behind, use rogers RAPID REMOVER. if you dont have that, WD-40, NAPA FOAMING BUG AND TAR REMOVER, PRESSURE WASHER, MINERAL SPRIRTS, ETC ETC. if you use oil based removal product you will need to clean surface of all residue. this can be an automotive enamel paint reducer, power clean, purple stuff, etc etc. then you gota wash it agaon with alcohol, now you got look on the bottle for % of alcohol....USE 89-90-100% ONLY!!! the less percent alcohol products wont clean.
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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John, CAUTION: Do NOT use just ANY thinner or solvent on Lexan. You should use special thinners. Call your supplier and ask about Grip-Flex T4000 Remover for Polycarbonate. I've also used 90% alcohol on Polycarb without a problem but keep away from other solvents. Plexi is more forgiving but be careful getting alcohol around the edges. It often causes crazing as it follows the cut edges. I've also had it cause crazing on plexi faces in some cases. Before using any solvent try this first: I use a razor blade holder with a blade that has been burnished thoroughly, corners and all, still "sharp looking" but thoroughly dulled. I use this to scrape as much goo off the sign as I can, using soapy water as a "lubricant" to prevent the goo from sticking to the blade. Keep it WET. Peel and scrape as much as you can, and then use the least powerful solvent you can if still necessary. Use powdered chalk or charcoal to rub over the dry sign periodically, to see where the adhesive is still leaving residue.
If you are not sure if it is Lexan or Plexi, assume it is Lexan for cleaning purposes. A quick, but not always reliable test, is to cut into the sheet, as if to whittle the sharp edge off. A Lexan sheet will normally "slice and curl" whereas the plexi will "chatter and chip".
Call me if necessary to explain it better.
-------------------- Gene Golden Gettysburg Signs Gettysburg PA 17325 717-334-0200 genegolden@gettysburgsigns.com
"Art is knowing when to stop." Posts: 1578 | From: Gettysburg, PA | Registered: Jun 2003
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I have to go take the sign down on Mon so then I will know for sure what it is. I used Rapic Remover on plexi a few yrs ago and it was otay just down want to haze the sign.
-------------------- John TheTagMan on chat Thomas Signs & Custom Graphics Posts: 29 | From: Ontario, Canada | Registered: Mar 2002
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posted
Ive used Rapid Remover on many sign faces. No need to worry about crazing from my experience. Most likely, as mentioned the vinyl will come of clean and easy with a hair dryer. I use heat gun cuz it can be faster. But, there is a slim line from heating the material just enuf for removing and heating it till it melts. Good luck
-------------------- Leaper of Tall buildings.. If you find my posts divisive or otherwise snarky please ignore them. If you do not know how then PM me about it and I will demonstrate. Posts: 5274 | From: Im a nowhere man | Registered: Jul 2001
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