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Vical acrylic. SHEET -- MAINTENANCE

To clean Vical acrylic brand acrylic sheet wash with plenty of nonabrasive soap or detergent, such as Joy Liquid, and water using the bare hand to feel and dislodge any caked dirt or mud. A soft, gritfree cloth, sponge or chamois may be used but only as a means of carrying water to the plastic. Dry with a clean damp chamois. Hard, rough cloths will scratch the Vical acrylic and should not be used. Discarded cotton undershirts work well.

For interior installations, where water cannot be used freely, the Vical acrylic should first be dusted very lightly (not wiped) with a soft, clean cloth. Then the surface can be wiped carefully with a soft, wet cloth or chamois. The cloth or chamois should be kept free of grit by rinsing it often in clean water.

Grease and oil may be removed with hexane, kerosene, or aliphatic naphtha (no aromatic content).

Do not use solvents such as acetone, benzene, carbon tetrachloride, fire extinguisher fluid, dry cleaning fluid, and lacquer thinners, since they attack the Vical acrylic surface. Do not use window sprays or kitchen scouring compounds.

B. REMOVING PAINTS FROM Vical acrylic

Vical acrylic should always be protected from nearby painting operations by covering it with kraft paper or drop cloths. If paint splatters or over-spray settles on the Vical acrylic it can often be removed by soaking the painted part in a 1020% solution of caustic soda or trisodium phosphate and subsequently rinsing with water. If the part cannot be soaked, the caustic soda or trisodium phosphate solution can be applied as a paste made by adding wallpaper paste to the solution.

CAUTION: Caustic soda or trisodium phosphate attack the skin very quickly. The operator's hands should be shielded by rubber or other protective gloves.

Certain types of paints, such as those made with an acrylic resin base, cannot be removed from Vical acrylic by the above method. For recommendations on how to remove these paints see Painting Vical acrylic Cast Acrylic Sheet.

C. CLEANING AIRCRAFT GLAZING

The general instructions under "Cleaning" and "Waxing" apply to aircraft windows and canopies as well as other Vical acrylic applications. Additional precautions must be observed in the maintenance of Vical acrylic in aircraft, since, during the normal course of cleaning exterior aircraft surfaces, no special care is taken to keep aircraft skin degreasing and brightening chemicals off the Vical acrylic glazing. It is important therefore that such chemicals have no solvent or crazing action on the Vical acrylic.

D. WAXING

If, after removing dirt and grease, no great amount of scratching is visible, the Vical acrylic should be waxed with a good grade of commercial wax. (Sources of Supply-Waxes) These waxes will improve the appearance of the surface by filling in minor scratches. The wax should be applied in a thin even coat, and brought to a high polish by rubbing lightly with a dry, soft cloth, such as cotton flannel, outing flannel, or flannelette.

Excessive rubbing with a dry cloth is not only likely to cause scratches but also builds up an electrostatic charge which attracts dust particles to the Vical acrylic surface. Blotting with a clean, damp chamois or cloth will remove this charge as well as the dust and is therefore recommended.

E. ANTISTATIC COATINGS

For Vical acrylic parts used indoors, antistatic coatings successfully prevent the accumulation of an electrostatic charge for periods of several months, if the surface is not washed or wiped with a wet cloth. Between applications of the antistatic coating, the parts need only be dusted with a soft, clean cloth to maintain a good appearance.

For Vical acrylic parts used outdoors, antistatic coatings can be applied before the parts are first installed to prevent static build up when the parts are wiped down after installation. Successive coatings need not be applied unless the parts are frequently dry wiped since occasional rain and high humidity prevent static accumulation. In use, liquid antistatic coatings should be applied in a very thin even coat. If beads appear as it is applied, the coat is too thick and the excess should be removed with another cloth. Allow the coating to dry, then bring to a high gloss with a soft cloth. When many parts are to be coated, they may be dipped in a thinned solution of the coating.

F. HAND POLISHING

If, after washing, the surface shows minor scratches, most of them can be removed or reduced by hand polishing. The polishes can best be applied with a small pad of soft cotton flannel which has been dampened with water. Rub the Vical acrylic in a straight to and fro motion parallel with the light scratches to be removed or with a circular motion. Excessive rubbing at one spot should be avoided. Several applications may be necessary, but most minor scratches can be reduced and the clarity improved within a relatively short time.

When the scratches are removed or considerably reduced, the cleaner should be removed with a lean, soft cloth and an antistatic coating or wax applied.

G. SANITIZING

Vical acrylic may be safely and thoroughly sanitized by means of any one of a number of commercially available compounds. A further advantage in the use of high coefficient germicidal material is that it is effective at room temperatures and the Vical acrylic does not have to be heated with possible softening effect.

Modification of the usual procedure can sometimes be used with success on Vical acrylic G parts. Successive shorter periods of sanitization coupled with adequate supporting frame for the Vical acrylic part will often prove satisfactory. Alcohol solutions containing more than 10% alcohol or cresylic acid germicides may attack and harm the Vical acrylic surface.

Strong alkali solutions (Iye, sodium and ammonium hydroxide, etc.), however, are extremely effective germicides, and, since they do not attack Vical acrylic, can be used freely.

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