Clear Acrylic

deejay · Post by **deejay** » Tue 20 Nov, 2007 5:40 pm

Although I've been framing since 1977, I have had little experience of using Acrylic glass. Are there any ways of overcoming the problems of static dragging in every bit of dust and fluff in the whole workshop into the item being assembled?

w00dward · Post by **w00dward** » Tue 20 Nov, 2007 6:56 pm

I have used this anti-static brush from Lion with good results. You could also ground it to a metal frame to make it more effective.

deejay · Post by **deejay** » Wed 21 Nov, 2007 5:08 pm

Thanks for the info. I have actually tried one pof these, I'm not sure if it was the same one, but it tended to leave a slight smear.

JFeig · Post by **JFeig** » Wed 21 Nov, 2007 5:16 pm

I learned a secret of a glass cleaner manufacturer, years ago. Not all glass cleaners are made with purified water(ionized, run through a carbon filter). The use of purified water will tend to reduce the static charge. This is in addition to any anti static chemicals that might be added.

realhotglass · Post by **realhotglass** » Wed 21 Nov, 2007 7:17 pm

As per Jeromes suggestion . . .

and I have noticed numerous framers swear by using this with a *genuine* (vehicle type drying) chamois.

Other tips . . .

Use an old cardboard tube to gently unroll the backing paper or plastic, rather than just peel it off.
This reduces static in the first place.

Then, by using gloves (as you do with optically coated glasses) you eliminate the need to clean it as much, thus not putting the charge there as much in the handling stage.

Similar, don't go dragging it / turning it over on a carpeted bench top.
Put down a large sheet of foamcore.

deejay · Post by **deejay** » Thu 22 Nov, 2007 4:29 pm

Many thanks for all your replies. I have a bottle of glass cleaner, which I rarely use, preferring to breathe on the glass and buff with a soft cloth, so I'll try that and the leather for acrylic in future.

I do roll the backing off when it's new, but the last couple of occasions I have used customers own acrylic and it has had to be cleaned.

osgood · Post by **osgood** » Thu 22 Nov, 2007 7:43 pm

deejay wrote:preferring to breathe on the glass and buff with a soft cloth,

Deejay,
Is this so that in the future, someone will be able to trace your work by DNA?

I would humbly suggest that you give very strong consideration to using 'glass cleaner' instead of your current method. The objective is to 'clean the glass, not pollute it with your breath.
A mixture of 50% methylated spirit and 50% water makes a great glass cleaner and is very inexpensive (if that is your concern).

Think 'Professional'!!!

Moglet · Post by **Moglet** » Thu 22 Nov, 2007 9:22 pm

osgood wrote:Is this so that in the future, someone will be able to trace your work by DNA?

Shhh, Ormond! The Thought Police'll hear you!!!

realhotglass · Post by **realhotglass** » Fri 23 Nov, 2007 5:53 am

Deejay, I don't thinks anyone has suggested using glass cleaner on acrylic here.
I have sprayed it on offcuts being used for other non important jobs, haven't particularly noticed anything bad happen, it may or may not be ok.

I would advise against it anyway, as glass cleaners all contain various chemicals, and acrylic is an oil based product after all.

The reply I mentioned from Jerome relates to using pure deionised water, and answers here mostly related to static issues, not cleaning.