Glue on windscreen

[6adan]

I have a RV6A that is getting close to flying. When we pulled the plastic off the windscreen there is some tape glue left on it from where we did the glass work. I need to know is what would be safe to use to remove the glue?

Thanks Dannie

[pazmanyflyer]

Originally Posted by 6adan

I have a RV6A that is getting close to flying. When we pulled the plastic off the windscreen there is some tape glue left on it from where we did the glass work. I need to know is what would be safe to use to remove the glue?

Thanks Dannie

The -7 instructions say to use mineral spirits. It will not damage the canopy. Worked well for me.

[Turbo69bird]

I used mineral spirits on mine recently and it was fine but I didn?t leave it on very long either.

[Captain Avgas]

Originally Posted by 6adan

I have a RV6A that is getting close to flying. When we pulled the plastic off the windscreen there is some tape glue left on it from where we did the glass work. I need to know is what would be safe to use to remove the glue?

Thanks Dannie

I highly recommend you go to the archives on this and get a lot of information. It's all there. In the meantime you need to be very circumspect about taking advice on this topic. Acrylic is highly susceptible to damage from a huge range of chemicals/solvents. In fact there's not much that WONT damage it. I have seen so much erroneous advice given on this topic. Quite often when acrylic is damaged at the molecular level the stress cracks do not appear until further down the track.

[Richard Connell]

Vans, Verbatim.

?Grease, oil, tape residue, etc. may best be removed with mineral spirits, refined kerosene,
white gasoline, naphtha, or isopropyl alcohol. Wash approved solvents off the canopy with Dawn dishwashing liquid and water.?

[ronschreck]

Airplane Plastics make the canopies for Van's Aircraft. Here is the information posted on their web site:

How should I clean my canopy?

Use cleaners specifically for acrylic. A damp cloth or an air blast will clean the dust away. To achieve the best results use fore and aft motion instead of a circular motion. To clean dirty acrylics use plenty of water and non-abrasive soap or detergent. All-cotton flannel can be used for drying. Never use aromatic solvents such as acetone, benzene, carbon tetrachloride, lighter fluid, lacquer thinners, gasoline, window sprays, concentrated alcohol, ketones or scouring compounds. Avoid using cleaners with ammonia, such as 409. Grease, oil or tape residue may be removed with kerosene, white gasoline, naphtha or isopropyl alcohol (Do not use isopropyl alcohol on extruded acrylic). Mineral spirits is our favorite. Wash approved solvents off of canopy with Dawn dishwashing liquid or equivalent and water followed by a clear water rinse. To prevent water spots, blow dry with compressed air or wipe dry with soft cotton flannel.

[rv8ch]

Strange - I thought lighter fluid and naptha were the same thing. Not sure I'd use isopropyl alcohol, since I don't know if our canopies are extruded acrylic, and I've seen it glaze some plastics.

I guess kerosene is the safest thing to use.

[6adan]

Thanks everyone, I was just not sure what to use and did not want to destroy the canopy.

Dannie

[DaleB]

Originally Posted by rv8ch

Strange - I thought lighter fluid and naptha were the same thing.

I think "naptha" is a generic term used to describe a wide range of petroleum products.

[Captain Avgas]

Originally Posted by DaleB

I think "naptha" is a generic term used to describe a wide range of petroleum products.

Quite true, and the same thing can be said about "mineral spirits". These substances can be dangerous for the simple reason you cannot be sure exactly what you're getting.

Personally I'm with Mickey Coggins on this one....kerosene only. It's widely available and you know exactly what you're getting. But use it sparingly and don't get it in drilled holes or on cut edges. And wash it off immediately afterwards with a mild dishwashing detergent in water.

You just CANNOT be too careful about what you put on a formed acrylic canopy.