Tarnished Acrylic Inside Of Clear Acrylic Demonstrator

[LBL]

I recently tarnished a clear monteverde artista. Some rubbing alcohol got into the inside of the cap and created a thin, white, opaque film. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to fix this, or should I just give up on this? I've managed to clear out a lot of the tarnish by rubbing it off with plastic picks and other miscellaneous items, but there are small crevices that can't be reached. Some people have suggested rinsing the cap out in acetone or MEK, but I'm worried doing that will ruin the cap beyond repair. Any suggestions or help is much appreciated.

[pnin22]

Rubbing alcohol does not dissolve acrylic, so maybe the film is just dirt or oil residue? In that case you could try soapy water. Acetone and MEK will definitely cloud the surface and soften it to the point of melting if you leave on long enough

[kirchh]

Rubbing alcohol does not dissolve acrylic, so maybe the film is just dirt or oil residue? In that case you could try soapy water. Acetone and MEK will definitely cloud the surface and soften it to the point of melting if you leave on long enough

 

Note that "rubbing alcohol" is not a specific type of alcohol, and in any event, many rubbing alcohols contain isopropanol, which will indeed affect acrylics to some degree, as will other alcohols. See, for example, this.

 

--Daniel

Edited April 15, 2015 by kirchh

[Freddy]

Image what that (expletive) would do to the plexiglass acrylic display case{s}

I make to house the plank on bulkhead /frame ships that I build......

Hmm....Like Stuff{expletive}! Yup..that's the ticket................................

 

Fred

Editing....I ain't talkin' off the top of my head...........

Again editin' cause me spellin is atrocious........

 

Edited April 15, 2015 by Freddy

[FarmBoy]

The solvent leached out the low molecular weight polymers along with the additives from the surface. When the solvent evaporated it left behind the material. You can restore the clear finish if the damage is only on the surface by removing the film. I find it easiest to do this on a lathe with a very sharp tool bit.

 

If the part was injection molded there are additional damage mechanisms and they will be harder to repair.

 

FB