Care and Cleaning of Acrylic Mirrors

Care and Cleaning of Acrylic Mirrors

You will find that it pays to take measures to preserve your acrylic mirror. These are a few guidelines to ensure your acrylic mirror lasts the test of time.

Dusting: Dust with soft, damp cloth or chamois and wipe gently.

Washing: Wash with a mild soap or detergent and lukewarm water solution. Use a clean, soft cloth or sponge and as much solution as possible. Rinse well. Dry by blotting with a damp cloth or chamois. DO NOT USE window cleaning fluids scouring compounds, gritty cloths, leaded or ethyl gasolines or strong solvents such as alcohol, acetone, carbon tetrachloride, etc. To remove tar, grease, paint, etc, use a good grade of naphtha or kerosene.

Polishing: A periodic waxing with a good grade of automobile paste wax (not a cleaner-wax combination) will protect the surface and maintain its lustre. Apply a thin even coating of wax with a soft clean cloth. Buff lightly with a clean cotton cloth. After polishing, wipe with a clean, damp cloth to ground any electrostatic charges which may attract dust particles.

Anti-Static Coatings: These coatings successfully prevent the accumulation of electrostatic charge (similar to that experienced with nylon and wool carpets) for several months. Between applications of the anti-static coatings, you need only to dust with a soft cloth or chamois.

Scratch Removal: Like beautiful wood or silver, acrylic can be scratched. This can usually be removed by waxing (see polishing). Deeper scratches can be removed by sanding lightly with a 400 grit 'wet or dry' sand paper and buffing with clean muslin.

Please note acrylic will withstand severe shock without breaking, its gem-like surface lustre may be marred by careless handling. Just as you would take pride in caring for silver or wood, you will find it pays to take the simple precautions above to preserve your acrylic mirror.