Polycarbonate sheets are extremely strong and temperature resistant thermoplastic material. This material is lightweight, easy to transport, easy to install, and resistant to extreme temperatures at either end of the spectrum. With an impact strength 250 times that of float glass, and 30 times that of acrylic sheets, polycarbonate sheets are nearly unbreakable. In some cases, polycarbonate is even bullet resistant! To read more about the strength, versatility, and some common usages of polycarbonate sheets, check out this post.
Use of Improper Cleaners Can Damage Polycarbonate
The leading cause of unnecessary damage to polycarbonate sheets is the use of improper cleaners or improper cleaning techniques. This is completely avoidable with just a little bit of knowledge. Lucky for you, we’re going to tell you exactly how to clean and care for your brand new polycarbonate sheets right here!
The first thing you need to know is to never use any kind of cleaners containing ammonia. This is a surefire way to cause damage to your polycarbonate and tarnish the look of it. Popular household cleaners such as Windex or 409 will cause damage to polycarbonate sheets and should never be used as a substitute for a proper cleaner. It is also imperative that you never use a dry cloth, or your hand, to wipe clean a piece of polycarbonate. Using a dry cloth to clean your polycarbonate will rub the dirt and dust into your polycarbonate sheet, scratching or causing damage to it. This is the same reason that car washes use damp towels instead of dry ones for drying cars, to avoid unnecessary scratches.
Proper Cleaners to Polycarbonate
For proper cleaning and care of your polycarbonate sheets, we recommend Novus #1 cleaner and a soft cloth. The first step to cleaning your polycarbonate is to remove all the dust and dirt from it. In order to do this, you can either blow the debris off the polycarbonate or use water and a soft cloth to float the debris off. After you have removed the debris from your polycarbonate you should clean it with a recommended cleaner such as Novus #1. If you run out of Novus, a mild solution of warm water and dish detergent can clean your polycarbonate sheet decently without damaging it, however, you still want a proper cleaner to truly clean the sheet.
Direct Exposure to Sunlight Damages Polycarbonate
Over time ultraviolet rays from the sun will cause damage to your polycarbonate sheets. While Plexiglas or ABS sheets may not be damaged by the sun, polycarbonate sheets are. Standard polycarbonate sheets last approximately 5-7 years before starting to haze and discolor from direct sunlight. However, our polycarbonate sheets are treated with UV protective formulas to help resist and diminish the effects of the sun. These treated polycarbonate sheets can last upwards of 15 years or longer before starting to show any signs of damage.
Polycarbonate Satisfaction
We here at A&C Plastics want to ensure that you are completely satisfied with your purchase. We have laid out these guidelines to help you with proper maintenance and care of your polycarbonate sheets. If you have any additional questions or need to know any additional information, please contact us immediately!
