Removing burrs in plexi window [help]

[PLAfiller]

Hi all,

I have a pretty straight forward "problem". I had put on the side window of my case similar to these suction cups. I thought plexi was like glass... Anyhow, when I removed the cup, it looked like it bonded with the plexi and there is some residue/burrs (on the first pic below). Can I safely remove these burrs on this kind of material (plexi) ? have a cheapo dremel with a bunch of accessories to it ( like in the 2nd picture), most of which I don't know what they do. Can you point which particular can do the job without too much damage? Or should I just let it go?

 

[Ahhzz]

Honestly, the plexi shouldn't be damaged. I would try something simple like Goo-gone, or (believe it or not) hand sanitizer first. Those aren't going to damage the plexi, and will probably remove the residue. If that doesn't work, someone else might have a good idea, but I wouldn't use a dremel except as a last resort...

 

[Deleted member 67555]

Use those pad looking things with buffing paste or some type of polisher.

 

[eidairaman1]

WD40, rubber eraser

 

[sneekypeet]

I agree with the above comments of cleaning it first, but be careful as plexi is easily scratched. However, plexi and Lexan can be buffed back to a shine, just be careful with the Dremmel, low speeds only, as you can easily cut into the plexi with too much speed or pressure with such a small wheel. If you own any, I would try an orbital polisher or buffing wheel for automotive uses.

EDIT, if you have any doubt, find a local car detail shop. I'm sure for a couple of bucks they can easily sort it out for you.

 

[Solaris17]

Wait I thought you couldn’t use alcohol on plexi. My old resovoir agreed. Unless I’m thinking acrylic is there a difference?

 

[natr0n]

They have plastic polish in the autoparts stores/walmart.

 

[Frick]

Wait I thought you couldn’t use alcohol on plexi. My old resovoir agreed. Unless I’m thinking acrylic is there a difference?

I assume it depens on the specific composition. I deal a lot with plexi and PET at work and both of them can handle alcohol based solvents just fine.

Try that first, alcohol. After that thourough cleaning (to me it looks like adhesive leftovers) ... possibly heat. The only way to get rid of scratches from plexi is melting them, but that only applies to actual cuts.

My experience is that any work with tools will just scratch it further.

Oh, and use microfiber cloth, the "non fussy" ones. Or any smooth cloth which is really. Do not under any circumstance use paper, that will really scratch it up. Ditto for cloth that isn't clean.

EDIT: This assums it is plexi and not just transparent plastic. If it's the latter anything can happen as the composition is unknown.

 

[eidairaman1]

Wait I thought you couldn’t use alcohol on plexi. My old resovoir agreed. Unless I’m thinking acrylic is there a difference?

No same families, apparently it is soluable in it hence crazing/cracking, attacks the grain boundries

 

[Solaris17]

I assume it depens on the specific composition. I deal a lot with plexi and PET at work and both of them can handle alcohol based solvents just fine.

Try that first, alcohol. After that thourough cleaning (to me it looks like adhesive leftovers) ... possibly heat. The only way to get rid of scratches from plexi is melting them, but that only applies to actual cuts.

My experience is that any work with tools will just scratch it further.

Oh, and use microfiber cloth, the "non fussy" ones. Or any smooth cloth which is really. Do not under any circumstance use paper, that will really scratch it up. Ditto for cloth that isn't clean.

EDIT: This assums it is plexi and not just transparent plastic. If it's the latter anything can happen as the composition is unknown.

No same families, apparently it is soluable in it hence crazing/cracking, attacks the grain boundries

Neat thanks!

 

[PLAfiller]

First of all, thanks to everyone. Every opinion opened my eyes a bit. I may have mislead you as I don't really know if it is plexi or acrylic or simple plastic. I thought they were pretty much the same. But its old and cheap case, so chances are it is just plastic. There was no adhesive 100%. Just the suction cup. But may be from the heat inside the case, when I removed it, it was like tiny strings or melted rubber. The residue is rough to the touch. Doesn't look like it will go away with some alcohol scrubbing, but I'll try it tomorrow during the weekend. I have plenty of microfiber cloths for the car with different textures.

 

[sneekypeet]

Another point to make, which may be common sense, but try to remove the window from the door before you go at the window cleaning and polishing.

 

[jaggerwild]

DO Not use Alcohol, test it on an Edge first, Id use tooth paste then car wax.

 

[Vario]

Sandpaper+ block works well for finishing cut plexiglass edges. Maybe 220-400-800 grit.