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Author Topic: 3M acrylic paper protection removal  (Read 723 times)

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DietCoke

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3M acrylic paper protection removal
« on: October 04, 2015, 07:59:25 pm »
Apparently the paper and adhesive for the sheets I have are getting old and I'm unable to peel the paper off in sheets or anything substantial.  ANyone have suggestions for how to remove it?  I've tried soaking it in water and also goo-gone, and that's not working well.

geeteoh

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Re: 3M acrylic paper protection removal
« Reply #1 on: October 04, 2015, 11:46:52 pm »
I have done a bunch of these.  I used wd40 which is similar to goo gone, my finger nail ( or other real soft item to pick with) and about an hour of time. No easy method that I found.

RandyT

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Re: 3M acrylic paper protection removal
« Reply #2 on: October 05, 2015, 03:27:28 pm »
Apparently the paper and adhesive for the sheets I have are getting old and I'm unable to peel the paper off in sheets or anything substantial.  ANyone have suggestions for how to remove it?  I've tried soaking it in water and also goo-gone, and that's not working well.

Once that goo is on there, it's a nightmare.  The answer is to prevent as much of it from staying stuck as is humanly possible.  With very old acrylic, you will need to "re-activate" the flow of the adhesive layer.  The only way I have found to do this is with heat.  Hair dryers and heat guns will work to some extent, but warming the entire sheet as much as possible without warping it (such as a few minutes in a very warm oven), will aid greatly in getting that paper off.  You may still find that a very light residue remains, but that comes off pretty easily.  Be careful if you decide to use alcohol.  Some acrylics are fine with it, but others will craze and crack.

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Re: 3M acrylic paper protection removal
« Reply #3 on: October 05, 2015, 04:59:12 pm »
Apparently the paper and adhesive for the sheets I have are getting old and I'm unable to peel the paper off in sheets or anything substantial.  ANyone have suggestions for how to remove it?  I've tried soaking it in water and also goo-gone, and that's not working well.

 You can try the Freeze-Spray method.   Invert a can of compressed air... and spray it full blast for a few seconds.   It should haze and freeze up.   Once its frosted good.. slip a razor blade inbetween the layers.    It should pop right off.

 This is how mylar is removed from Pinball Machines.

 However, it tends to leave the glue on the Playfield.   Thus, if you want to reuse the sheets.. you would probably need to apply new adhesive spay to the surface...  as it might be completely left behind on the sheet.  Not sure.