Getting Paper Wrap Off Acrylic Sheet

Scratching off the sticker may be tempting.

Getting paper wrap off acrylic sheet.

Using lighter fluid on acrylic styrene or polycarbonate plastics should be safe. Residue can also be left behind by tape or other sticky substances. Removing a sticky sticker is as easy as moistening the sticker with lighter fluid which is a refined form of kerosene. Many of these sheets used an adhesive that is heat activated.

Leaving the film on the bottom protects the sheet from getting scratched by the grate below but won t cause flare. If it does slowly work your way across the sheet if you go too fast the paper will rip making removal more difficult. Start by soaking a piece of the 800 grit sandpaper in water applying enough moisture to the surface so that a slight slurry is created when the paper is rubbed in a circular motion against the acrylic. Repeat for two to three minutes applying constant pressure.

Once the sheet has been scored clamp the acrylic on a table edge so that the table edge aligns with the scored line of the sheet. As per the instructions from our rep at ils you should leave the paper or plastic on the bottom of the sheet and peel off the top. If the cut was deep enough into the sheet there will be a clean edge. Use a little elbow grease working on one area until it s clear before moving to the next area.

You can try using an electric hair dryer to warm the corner of the sheet and see if this loosens the paper. Because plexiglas can be marred easily however do not scratch off the sticker. It is frustrating to remove a sticker from acrylic only to find a sticky residue left behind. It may come off in stages but persistence and the powerful citrus agent will eventually produce a clean substrate ready for a new application of custom graphics.