Lexan

[erik]

Listers, I need help, please.

About three weeks ago I had to push an airframe that I was working
on, out into the open for space requirements. The windshield was
intalled on this airframe, but still covered in the protective plastic
"masking" to prevent scratching.

Now, after three weeks in the sun, the masking has deteriorated so
much that I can't get it off the lexan. It has perished into milions
of 1/4 mm square pieces that seems bonded to the lexan.

I have unsuccessfully tried: hot water and soap, turpentine,
meths,spit, scratching with my fingernails (works to an extend, but
leaves tiny scratches on the lexan surface. Can these be polished
out?), thinners (ginormous mistake).

I have not tried acetone (I forsee another ginormous mistake), or fire
(match in the fuel tank). Or Handy-Andy, an ammonium-based deterdent.

Any suggestions will be tried. This is driving me off my rocker.

Thanks and goodbye,

Erik Snyman

[Morgans[_2_]]

"erik" <> wrote

> Now, after three weeks in the sun, the masking has deteriorated so
> much that I can't get it off the lexan. It has perished into milions
> of 1/4 mm square pieces that seems bonded to the lexan.
>
> I have unsuccessfully tried: hot water and soap, turpentine,
> meths,spit, scratching with my fingernails (works to an extend, but
> leaves tiny scratches on the lexan surface. Can these be polished
> out?), thinners (ginormous mistake).

Lighter fluid (naphtha) should be safe, but try it on a little corner,
first.

Get someone to hold the Lexan with a THICK pair of gloves, and hit it with
a pressure washer. Or else, YOU hold it with the gloves, and let THEM hit
it with a pressure washer. A coin self serve carwash should work, if that
is all you have available.

This method WILL work, with no damage, (except to your hand) if you can deal
with the pain.<g>
--
Jim in NC

[Ed Sullivan]

On Mon, 26 Mar 2007 18:17:19 -0400, "Morgans"
> wrote:

>
>"erik" <> wrote
>
>> Now, after three weeks in the sun, the masking has deteriorated so
>> much that I can't get it off the lexan. It has perished into milions
>> of 1/4 mm square pieces that seems bonded to the lexan.
>>
>> I have unsuccessfully tried: hot water and soap, turpentine,
>> meths,spit, scratching with my fingernails (works to an extend, but
>> leaves tiny scratches on the lexan surface. Can these be polished
>> out?), thinners (ginormous mistake).
>
>Lighter fluid (naphtha) should be safe, but try it on a little corner,
>first.
>
>Get someone to hold the Lexan with a THICK pair of gloves, and hit it with
>a pressure washer. Or else, YOU hold it with the gloves, and let THEM hit
>it with a pressure washer. A coin self serve carwash should work, if that
>is all you have available.
>
>This method WILL work, with no damage, (except to your hand) if you can deal
>with the pain.<g>

Under no circustances would I let any petroeum based solvent touch it.
Gasoline will cause it to craze immediately.

[Morgans[_2_]]

"Ed Sullivan" > wrote

> Under no circustances would I let any petroeum based solvent touch it.
> Gasoline will cause it to craze immediately.

I understand your caution, and share it. Naphtha is weird stuff, though.
Have you ever tried it on Lexan?
--
Jim in NC

[Rich S.[_1_]]

"erik" > wrote in message
ups.com...
> Any suggestions will be tried. This is driving me off my rocker.

Goof off? http://www.amazon.com/Goof-Off-Ultimate-Remover-easy/dp/B00030419I

I used this to remove adhesive wing-walk and it really worked well.

Rich S.

[denny]

On Mar 26, 5:56�pm, "erik" > wrote:
> Listers, I need help, please.
>
> *About three weeks ago I had to push an airframe that I was working
> on, out into the open for space requirements. The windshield was
> intalled on this airframe, but still covered in the protective plastic
> "masking" to prevent scratching.
>
> Now, after three weeks in the sun, the masking has deteriorated so
> much that I can't get it off the lexan. It has perished into milions
> of 1/4 mm square pieces that seems bonded to the lexan.
>
> I have unsuccessfully tried: hot water and soap, turpentine,
> meths,spit, scratching with my fingernails (works to an extend, but
> leaves tiny scratches on the lexan surface. Can these be polished
> out?), thinners (ginormous mistake).
>
> I have not tried acetone (I forsee another ginormous mistake), or fire
> (match in the fuel tank). Or Handy-Andy, an ammonium-based deterdent.
>
> Any suggestions will be tried. This is driving me off my rocker.
>
> Thanks and goodbye,
>
> Erik Snyman

Go to www.charliesoap.com and order a gallon of Charlie's Soap. I
have used it several times to clean plexiglass in the same condition.
You won't need anywhere near a whole gallon, but you will find so many
other uses for it, you will want more than a quart. It cleans
everything from false teeth to diesel engines, according to the
label. I haven't used it on false teeth, but it cleans everthing else
I've tried it on.

Denny

[COLIN LAMB]

I think it was "Goof Off" that I used on Lexan and it did craze the
material. Get a spare piece and try it out first. Crazing a canopy or
windshield youself is something that grown men cry about.

After I crazed the material, I got a 3 part plastic refinishing system from
Sears and eventually polished it all up.

I have small sheets of old acylic with the brown paper still on after about
15 years. So, it does not want to come off. In my case, I put in in the
sink with warm water and detergent and it eventually comes off. So, I
suspect the soap suggested by Denny is probably the best solution.

Naptha may also work. As I recall, the ingredients are not published, but
it may not be petroleum based. It is a great cleaner for camera shutters.

Colin

[[email protected]]

On Mar 26, 5:41 pm, "COLIN LAMB" > wrote:

>
> Naptha may also work. As I recall, the ingredients are not published, but
> it may not be petroleum based. It is a great cleaner for camera shutters.
>
> Colin

I Googled Naptha and came up with "it's essentially gasoline
without any additives." That fits; when I was a young punk pumping gas
at a service station, we had a big tank of Naptha out back that we
sold in bulk to anyone wanting "white gas." Was used in Coleman
camping stoves, lanterns, and the like. No lead to clog things up.
I wouldn't use it on Lexan.

Dan

[Morgans[_2_]]

"Richard Riley" > wrote

> Erik, if you happen to be in the Los Angeles area, I own a coin self
> service car wash here and will happily crank up the pressure for you.
> (I'm running 800 PSI standard)

That ought to be enough to take the stink off of sh*t! <g>

Really, that would be my best choice to take off the wrapper. A few years
back, I put in a new garage door, and it had a clear layer of plastic on it.
I didn't realize it had anything on it until about 6 months later, when it
started to peel off. I then tried to take it off, and got really
frustrated. Lots of work for almost no progress; lots of little pieces
instead of a few big pieces.

I got a pressure washer after it, and it went quite fast, after that.
--
Jim in NC

[Ron Webb]

There is a product designed specifically for this purpose. It is called
DSR-5. It is a clear liquid, and it comes in pint spray bottles. It works.

I have a kit plane that sat outside in Florida for several years after the
original builder gave up on it. The lexan coating was rock hard and totally
impossible to get off. A few squirts of this stuff and it was coming off in
foot square sheets.

http://www.dsr5.com/




>
> Now, after three weeks in the sun, the masking has deteriorated so
> much that I can't get it off the lexan. It has perished into milions
> of 1/4 mm square pieces that seems bonded to the lexan.
>
>

[cavelamb himself]

COLIN LAMB wrote:
> I think it was "Goof Off" that I used on Lexan and it did craze the
> material. Get a spare piece and try it out first. Crazing a canopy or
> windshield youself is something that grown men cry about.
>
> After I crazed the material, I got a 3 part plastic refinishing system from
> Sears and eventually polished it all up.
>
> I have small sheets of old acylic with the brown paper still on after about
> 15 years. So, it does not want to come off. In my case, I put in in the
> sink with warm water and detergent and it eventually comes off. So, I
> suspect the soap suggested by Denny is probably the best solution.
>
> Naptha may also work. As I recall, the ingredients are not published, but
> it may not be petroleum based. It is a great cleaner for camera shutters.
>
> Colin
>
>

What Colin said - ESPECIALLY if there is any curvature in the plastic.

The stuff really crazes quickly when stressed.

Flat sheet may not craze as quickly - but it will eventually.

Richard

[Lou]

Just a thought. If heat put it on, won't heat help take it off?
Lou

[jerry wass]

cavelamb himself wrote:
> COLIN LAMB wrote:
>> I think it was "Goof Off" that I used on Lexan and it did craze the
>> material. Get a spare piece and try it out first. Crazing a canopy
>> or windshield youself is something that grown men cry about.
>>
>> After I crazed the material, I got a 3 part plastic refinishing system
>> from Sears and eventually polished it all up.
>>
>> I have small sheets of old acylic with the brown paper still on after
>> about 15 years. So, it does not want to come off. In my case, I put
>> in in the sink with warm water and detergent and it eventually comes
>> off. So, I suspect the soap suggested by Denny is probably the best
>> solution.
>>
>> Naptha may also work. As I recall, the ingredients are not published,
>> but it may not be petroleum based. It is a great cleaner for camera
>> shutters.
>>
>> Colin
>>
>
> What Colin said - ESPECIALLY if there is any curvature in the plastic.
>
> The stuff really crazes quickly when stressed.
>
> Flat sheet may not craze as quickly - but it will eventually.
>
> Richard

Re; Naptha----Naptha is a petroleum distillate--a narrow range of
molecules taken from crude petroleum--usually in a fractionating
(bubble) tower.

[kd5sak]

I don't know for certain it'll work for you, but I've used two of the citrus
oil based adhesive solvents and they both work well in removing sticky
labels and the adhesive used on them. The two brands I've successfully used
are "Goo Gone" and "De-Solv-It" and I've never had either harm plastic or
wood surfaces I've used'em on.

Harold
KD5SAK

"erik" > wrote in message
ups.com...
> Listers, I need help, please.
>
> About three weeks ago I had to push an airframe that I was working
> on, out into the open for space requirements. The windshield was
> intalled on this airframe, but still covered in the protective plastic
> "masking" to prevent scratching.
>
> Now, after three weeks in the sun, the masking has deteriorated so
> much that I can't get it off the lexan. It has perished into milions
> of 1/4 mm square pieces that seems bonded to the lexan.
>
> I have unsuccessfully tried: hot water and soap, turpentine,
> meths,spit, scratching with my fingernails (works to an extend, but
> leaves tiny scratches on the lexan surface. Can these be polished
> out?), thinners (ginormous mistake).
>
> I have not tried acetone (I forsee another ginormous mistake), or fire
> (match in the fuel tank). Or Handy-Andy, an ammonium-based deterdent.
>
> Any suggestions will be tried. This is driving me off my rocker.
>
> Thanks and goodbye,
>
> Erik Snyman

[Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe]

"Lou" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> Just a thought. If heat put it on, won't heat help take it off?
> Lou
>

That's my understanding (Hair dryer - not a heat gun)

--
Geoff
The Sea Hawk at Wow Way d0t Com
remove spaces and make the obvious substitutions to reply by mail
When immigration is outlawed, only outlaws will immigrate.

[Montblack]

("Richard Riley" wrote)
> Erik, if you happen to be in the Los Angeles area, I own a coin self
> service car wash here and will happily crank up the pressure for you. (I'm
> running 800 PSI standard)


Our local self-service car wash has had ALL DAY (50 cent) Tuesdays, for
years. Before that, into the mid 90's, it was (25 cent) Tuesdays.

As cynical as I usually am, I don't think they turn the timers down on
Tuesdays. Or do they? <g>


Montblack
Speaking of, I need to 'go over' and wash the airplane of minivans - before
10pm (CDT).

(1) Soap wash .............. $0.50
(2) Foam brush ............. $0.50
(3) Rinse ....................... $0.50

[erik]

On Mar 26, 9:56 am, "erik" > wrote:
> Listers, I need help, please.
>
> About three weeks ago I had to push an airframe that I was working
> on, out into the open for space requirements. The windshield was
> intalled on this airframe, but still covered in the protective plastic
> "masking" to prevent scratching.
>
> Now, after three weeks in the sun, the masking has deteriorated so
> much that I can't get it off the lexan. It has perished into milions
> of 1/4 mm square pieces that seems bonded to the lexan.
>
> I have unsuccessfully tried: hot water and soap, turpentine,
> meths,spit, scratching with my fingernails (works to an extend, but
> leaves tiny scratches on the lexan surface. Can these be polished
> out?), thinners (ginormous mistake).
>
> I have not tried acetone (I forsee another ginormous mistake), or fire
> (match in the fuel tank). Or Handy-Andy, an ammonium-based deterdent.
>
> Any suggestions will be tried. This is driving me off my rocker.
>
> Thanks and goodbye,
>
> Erik Snyman

To all the listers that offered solutions to my Lexan problem, a big
thank you! I will try them all until something works.

To the guys that kindly offered to crank up the washer pressures for
me.... thanks, guys. I should have mentioned that I live on the other
side of the world....South Africa.

Regards,

Erik.

[Ron Wanttaja]

On 28 Mar 2007 01:13:15 -0700, "erik" > wrote:

>To the guys that kindly offered to crank up the washer pressures for
>me.... thanks, guys. I should have mentioned that I live on the other
>side of the world....South Africa.

800 PSI ain't quite going to do it, then. :-)

Ron Wanttaja

[Ric[_2_]]

"Richard Riley" > wrote in message
...
> On Tue, 27 Mar 2007 21:25:14 -0500, "Montblack"
> > wrote:
>
>>("Richard Riley" wrote)
>>> Erik, if you happen to be in the Los Angeles area, I own a coin self
>>> service car wash here and will happily crank up the pressure for you.
>>> (I'm
>>> running 800 PSI standard)
>>
>>
>>Our local self-service car wash has had ALL DAY (50 cent) Tuesdays, for
>>years. Before that, into the mid 90's, it was (25 cent) Tuesdays.
>>
>>As cynical as I usually am, I don't think they turn the timers down on
>>Tuesdays. Or do they? <g>
>
> Probably not, it's a bother to change the timers. Though, if you're
> changing the number of coins it needs to turn on anyway, you're
> halfway there.
>
> The only promotion I do is on Labor Day, July 4th and Memorial Day any
> pre-1970 car, and anything exotic (arbitrarily defined by me) gets
> washed for free, 20 minute limit. I spend the day there, we get some
> *beautiful* old hot rods and low riders. Occasionally we get one that
> absolutely should be in a museum - we had a 1954 Munz Jet last year.

Me thinks you should have a "young girls in bikinis" free wash day......
would definately pull up a deck chair for that!!

Ric

[Blueskies]

"Ron Wanttaja" > wrote in message ...
: On 28 Mar 2007 01:13:15 -0700, "erik" > wrote:
:
: >To the guys that kindly offered to crank up the washer pressures for
: >me.... thanks, guys. I should have mentioned that I live on the other
: >side of the world....South Africa.
:
: 800 PSI ain't quite going to do it, then. :-)
:
: Ron Wanttaja


Yea, maybe just turn it up to 55 bar instead!

;-)