Cleaning Polycarbonate Sheet Before Vinyl Application

Learn the recommended procedures for prepping polycarbonate.

Polycarbonate is one tough plastic.  Not even Dirty Harry with his .44 magnum could blast through a one-inch sheet. To use Harry’s words: “a man has to know his limitations”.

Even polycarbonate has limitations. As tough as this plastic is, it is not very solvent resistant. Exposure to some solvents can ultimately cause stress cracking or cloud the surface of the exposed plastic.

For this reason, use caution when using solvents to clean the surface of polycarbonate.  The recommended procedure for cleaning polycarbonate is to wash it with warm water and a little non-abrasive detergent, such as 409 cleaner or either Joy or Palmolive dishwashing detergent. Then rinse the surface with clean water and dry with a soft cotton rag or chamois.

What if that doesn’t work? When polycarbonate overlaminate is used in retail environments, anything can happen. I had a service call from a bar-b-que restaurant in Charlotte, NC, which had used polycarbonate overlaminate to cover their tables.  They were having a heck of a time cleaning the greasy BBQ and wing sauce from the surface. Grease, adhesives from tapes and labels and paint can pose a real cleaning challenge.

First try a non-abrasive detergent and warm water. If you have to use something stronger, start with the mildest solvents or cleaners, such as Isopropyl Alcohol and Naphtha. Then progress to the stronger solvents, such as Mineral Spirits or Turpentine. After cleaning with a solvent, immediately wash the surface with detergent and water and rinse thoroughly with clean water.

If you are concerned how a cleaner or solvent will react with the polycarbonate, the best advice is to “Test, Don’t Guess”.    Clean a small piece of polycarbonate with the solvent and see how it reacts. Better still, immerse a piece in the solvent for an hour.  From personal experience, I know that lacquer thinner with immediately cloud the surface of the plastic as it starts to dissolve the plastic. Some of these stronger solvents and cleaners should never be used to clean polycarbonate.  This list includes: 

·         Acetone

·         Ammonia

·         Carbon Tetrachloride

·         Gasoline

·         Lacquer Thinner

·         MEK

·         Toluene

·         Xylene

Vinyl Application Videos

Squeegee Technique. Nothing is more basic in vinyl application than the squeegee. But some squeegees work better than others. And there are right ways and wrong ways to use this simple tool. This video clip reviews squeegee selection, squeegee care and squeegee technique. Click to Link

Wet Applications. Dry applications are typically recommended for most vinyl applications. For those exceptions to the rule, this instructional video explains the right way to perform a wet application. Click to Link

Application of Window Graphics. Installing vinyl graphics on glass can be challenging, because the adhesive aggressively grabs onto this high energy surface. Repositioning graphics on window is generally difficult, if not impossible. This instructional video explains how to dry apply window graphics right the first time. It also describes the necessary steps required for surface preparation. Click to Link

Transferring Frosted Window Graphics Films.  Because frosted window films are highly textured, transferring cut vinyl graphics can be problematic. This video provides direction in selection of the right application tape and how to apply these films quickly, easily and without problems. Click to Link

3-Step Surface Prep. This instructional video describes how to properly clean the surface of a vehicle before applying pressure sensitive vinyl graphics to a trailer or doing a full wrap of a car or van. This three step surface prep involves detergent washing, solvent cleaning and a final wipe down with IPA. Click to Link

Vinyl Application Over Rivets. Applying vinyl graphics on vehicle surfaces with rivets is challenging for most sign makers. Vinyl failures to these surfaces are all too common. This video demonstrates some tips and procedures, used by professional decal installers, which will make these demanding applications easier and more trouble-free.  Click to Link

Vinyl Application to Corrugations. Learn how to apply vinyl graphics to corrugations in a relaxed state. Forcing films into the valleys of corrugations puts too much mechanical stress on the film. Sooner or later, the vinyl will lift or tent in valleys. Click to Link

Applying Air Egress Vinyls. Vinyl films with air egress release liners have almost eliminated bubbles and wrinkles from applied graphics. Air egress release liners with their highly textured surface structure are problematic. Not much will stick to these liners other than the vinyl film. At RTape our best premask solution for air egress liners is a special Conform® tape called 4761RLA. Click to Link

About Jim Hingst: After fourteen years as Business Development Manager at RTape, Jim Hingst retired. He was involved in many facets of the company’s business, including marketing, sales, product development and technical service.

Hingst began his career 42 years ago in the graphic arts field creating and producing advertising and promotional materials for a large test equipment manufacturer.  Working for offset printers, large format screen printers, vinyl film manufacturers, and application tape companies, his experience included estimating, production planning, purchasing and production art, as well as sales and marketing. In his capacity as a salesman, Hingst was recognized with numerous sales achievement awards.

Drawing on his experience in production and as graphics installation subcontractor, Hingst provided the industry with practical advice, publishing more than 150 articles for  publications, such as  Signs Canada, SignCraft,  Signs of the Times, Screen Printing, Sign and Digital Graphics and  Sign Builder Illustrated. He also posted more than 325 stories on his blog (hingstssignpost.blogspot.com). In 2007 Hingst’s book, Vinyl Sign Techniques, was published.  Vinyl Sign Techniques is available at sign supply distributors and at Amazon. 

© 2016 Jim Hingst