Polycarbonate sheet

[Jonathan GarsideParticipant @jonathangarside40968]

I have some sheets of Beyer Makrolon 6mm polycarbonate which has been stored in cold conditions for some years.

I now find that the protective covering which should peel off has deteriorated to the extent that it will not peel off and only comes off in very small pieces.

I have tried heat both with a hair dryer and also flame but to no avail. I have also tried thinners which was brilliant at wiping off the print on the covering but nothing else. I have tried a scraper but without success.

Does the collective knowledge of forum members have any valid suggestions for speedy removal, or am I consigned to several days work in picking very small pieces off the sheets and rapidly going mad?

yours in hope

Jonathan

[Jonathan GarsideParticipant @jonathangarside40968]

Problems with removing protective covering

[Dave DanielsParticipant @davedaniels93256]

You might try something like 'Label Off' spray.

I get it from Rapid Electronics but no doubt similar stuff is available elsewhere.

Fairly benign, I've used to to get the damn sticky labels of plastic stuff many times and it does not seem to affect them.

D.

https://www.rapidonline.com/kontakt-chemie-208106091230-label-off-50-label-remover-200ml-87-0655

 

 

Edited By Dave Daniels on 14/02/2017 14:03:22

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Jonathan,

I can't vouch for its suitability for your unusual requirement, but: The 'sticky label remover' aerosol, sold by Maplin [and made, I think, by Servisol] is my first choice for removing sticky stuff.

MichaelG.

.

Looks like Dave is of similar mind, and beat me to the post.

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 14/02/2017 14:06:20

[VicParticipant @vic]

You don't say how large the piece is, can you soak it in hot soapy water?

[mark smith 20Participant @marksmith20]

Sticky removers wont penetrate the plastic film. I sympathize with you, around 10 years ago i bought a conservatory for self build. After building the dwarf walls , I got waylaid erecting it for 2-3 years and when it came to fitting the polycarbonate roof sheets , the plastic film had deteriorated and would only come off in small pieces. Nothing i tried helped ,took ages to remove it all.

Edited By mark smith 20 on 14/02/2017 14:18:49

Edited By mark smith 20 on 14/02/2017 14:19:31

[Dave DanielsParticipant @davedaniels93256]

Doesn't have to penetrate … I've used it to get adhesive heat shrink off. If you can get an edge it appears to creep in and destroy the bond.

Not a quick job I admit, but it worked.

Relatively cheap to try it. If it doesn't work you still have the can for attacking sticky labels.

D.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Dave Daniels on 14/02/2017 14:26:39:

Doesn't have to penetrate … If you can get an edge it appears to creep in

.

+1

I used it recently to gently lift the aluminium-foil labels from a set of Hellerman sleeve-expanders.

The labels were peeling at the edges, but very well stuck elsewhere … patience and the spray allowed me to lift them cleanly [to keep the product details for reference, in case anyone wonders why].

MichaelG.

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 14/02/2017 15:09:58

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

What about buying some cheap Fablon or similar and sticking that onto the protective film they may peel off together?

Neil

[Jonathan GarsideParticipant @jonathangarside40968]

Vic

The sheets are approx 4' x 4' and 5' x 5' so too big for a washing up bowl.

Dave and Michael The film is not glued on so I suspect sticky label remover would remain ineffective.

Mark I suspect my experience is likely to mirror yours and days in the shed being bored and frustrated loom large on the horizon

It would appear that the film has lost its flexibility with age.

Thanks all for your ideas but I will wait a little longer in case the magic bullet answer arrives.

Jonathan

[MuzzerParticipant @muzzer]

Pressure washer?

And incidentally, I noticed yesterday that Lidl are selling label remover, rust stain remover etc at the moment. IIRC, they were £2 for around 100ml, whether or not they are any good in this instance.

Edited By Muzzer on 14/02/2017 15:50:50

[John HaineParticipant @johnhaine32865]

I recently bought a piece of 4mm polycarbonate for a chip guard on my mill so the new blower doesn't spread chips round the workshop. I bought it from these people – highly recommended:

**LINK**

May be worth giving them a call to see if they could advise?

[Brian OldfordParticipant @brianoldford70365]

You have to balance the value of your time to that of new polycarbonate. If it looks like it's going to take forever buy some more polycarbonate sheet and scrap the old stuff. As I've got older, despite retirement, my time get more and more valuable.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Jonathan Garside on 14/02/2017 15:31:40:

Dave and Michael The film is not glued on so I suspect sticky label remover would remain ineffective.

.

Jonathan,

Yes, I understand that ^^^

The hope was that the spray would 'wet' the surfaces more effectively than other options.

It appears that the film is polyethylene and normally adheres by molecular attraction, or some-such [yes, I'm way out my depth here] … But; it seems likely to me, that the film has been degraded by exposure to U.V. and will therefore be crazed with fine cracks.

Do please let us know how you get on.

MichaelG.

.

P.S. This is the nearest I can find to supporting evidence for the film being polyethylene:

8) Protective masking film

All Areco Poly sheets are supplied with a polythene film on both sides and tape on both ends to protect the sheet during transit and installation.

**LINK**

… of course, other products may vary.

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

The same thing happens to items like double glazing units covered in it, too. Even some masking tapes can become a nightmare to remove, if left on and exposed to light. BTDT on both counts! Get the protective film of fascia boards, and the like, as well.

This thread reminds me I have three sheets of damaged acrylic. I had better sort them, or probably scrap them.

[Sam StonesParticipant @samstones42903]

Hi Jonathan,

I'd be concerned about the chemical resistance of PC.

Some chemicals (stress-crack agents) could ruin your PC and your day.

Take a look here –

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polycarbonate#Properties_and_processing

Regards,

Sam

[VicParticipant @vic]

Don't discount PETG. Very tough and cheaper than Polycarbonate the last time I bought some.

[Martin 100Participant @martin100]

Leave it out in the sun and let the UV do the work. It might take a few months.

The adhesive heat shrink mentioned above only needs a suitable alcohol like IPA to rapidly degrade. Hot melt glue releases in the same way in a few seconds.

[john carruthersParticipant @johncarruthers46255]

We used a lot of polycarbonate sheet for security screens and safety aplications, yes it can be a swine to peel.
It seemed to be certain batches just would not peel off.
We tried a hot air gun and various solvents, eventually we gave it to the aprentice to do in the nice warm shop on a bench instead of standing in a gale on the end of Deal pier :-/

[Jonathan GarsideParticipant @jonathangarside40968]

John

Oh for an apprentice! But how did he do it?

[john carruthersParticipant @johncarruthers46255]

He sat and picked away at it for hours, and was soundly thrashed if he scratched the surface.
Ours was GE 'Lexan' I believe.

Edited By john carruthers on 15/02/2017 14:04:24

[HacksawParticipant @hacksaw]

The laquer started peeling on my van with a jet wash… and it looked such a mess , i blew the remainder off with a blow gun and compressed air ! Very satisfying crackling noise , but a mess all over the drive ..

[Steve Skelton 1Participant @steveskelton1]

Had a similar problem with PVC window boards where the protective film had been left on for years. Found that chemical paint stripper softened it all up without affecting the PVC window board.

Not sure if paint stripper will damage polycarbonate though. Have you triedcontacting the manufacturer – they are bound to have looked into this problem.

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