Cleaning Polycarbonate
We are often asked about how to clean Polycarbonate. All suppliers of this product will advise that Polycarbonate should only be cleaned with a mild soap detergent, water and a soft cloth.
Although Polycarbonate is a virtually unbreakable material, it is crucial that only a soft cloth is used in the cleaning process. This is to ensure that the outer surface of the polycarbonate sheet retains its finish and is not buffed or scrapped in the cleaning process. A mild soap detergent, like normal washing up liquid, is sufficient and no abrasive or gritty cleaners (e.g. Jif etc.) should be used.
Can I power hose my polycarbonate roof?
Users may have a polycarbonate roof that has over hanging trees or branches. Without regular cleaning, this may lead to the polycarbonate roof sheet becoming green or tarnished with fall off from the trees. The same thing will happen whether the roof is constructed of glass or polycarbonate.
If using a power hose to clean Polycarbonate sheet, it is advised that it is only on a 'mist' setting. This will provide sufficient water to clean the sheet, combined with a mild soap detergent. Use a soft cloth like a chamois and rinse the cloth after each single pass, to remove dirt from the cloth and avoid it being rubbed back onto the surface.
Using a power hose on a 'jet' setting may cause damage to the sheet as grit or debris is initially lifted from the surface but then on subsequent passes over the same area, the original dirt and debris is accelerated across the surface of the sheet under and in the jet stream, which can have an abrasive effect and may cause scratching or pot marking on the polycarbonate surface. Secondly, the jet setting may force or accelerate debris and water under sealing gaskets used on the sheet which can cause future leaks.
How to avoid yellowing of polycarbonate sheet.
Modern plastics can be purchased in a 'UV' grade, which offer maximum protection against sunlight and weather exposure. Some companies will sell 'non UV' polycarbonate to users simply because the higher grade material was not requested. If buying polycarbonate or acrylic (perspex) material online for outdoor applications, always ensure that the sheet is 'UV Grade'. This is particularly relevant to greenhosue applications where the UV grade polycarbonate offers the most beneficial environment with UV protection and optimum light transmission for propagation and growth.
When using Multiwall Polycarbonate structured sheet in roofing applications, the sheet is UV protected on one side - the side that has the printed film. Always ensure that this side is placed face up (facing sun) and do not remove the film from the surface of the sheet until you are ready to walk away from the job.
Plastic sheet materials come in many types but will often look to the same. The application is crucially important and hence, our company will always ask you about the application, or put simply, what the material is being used for. Polycarbonate, Acrylic (Perspex) , PETg and other materials may look exactly the same when held in the hand but they have different life spans, impact resistance and technical properties.
Contact our expert team at Plastic Solutions for advice or samples regarding your project. We have large stocks of materials at our warehouse in Dublin on the Naas Road. We offer FREE cutting on materials and can deliver Nationwide.
Check out this handy guide on the products used in our Polycarbonate Roof Overview.
We are often asked about how to clean Polycarbonate. All suppliers of this product will advise that Polycarbonate should only be cleaned with a mild soap detergent, water and a soft cloth.
Although Polycarbonate is a virtually unbreakable material, it is crucial that only a soft cloth is used in the cleaning process. This is to ensure that the outer surface of the polycarbonate sheet retains its finish and is not buffed or scrapped in the cleaning process. A mild soap detergent, like normal washing up liquid, is sufficient and no abrasive or gritty cleaners (e.g. Jif etc.) should be used.
Can I power hose my polycarbonate roof?
Users may have a polycarbonate roof that has over hanging trees or branches. Without regular cleaning, this may lead to the polycarbonate roof sheet becoming green or tarnished with fall off from the trees. The same thing will happen whether the roof is constructed of glass or polycarbonate.
If using a power hose to clean Polycarbonate sheet, it is advised that it is only on a 'mist' setting. This will provide sufficient water to clean the sheet, combined with a mild soap detergent. Use a soft cloth like a chamois and rinse the cloth after each single pass, to remove dirt from the cloth and avoid it being rubbed back onto the surface.
Using a power hose on a 'jet' setting may cause damage to the sheet as grit or debris is initially lifted from the surface but then on subsequent passes over the same area, the original dirt and debris is accelerated across the surface of the sheet under and in the jet stream, which can have an abrasive effect and may cause scratching or pot marking on the polycarbonate surface. Secondly, the jet setting may force or accelerate debris and water under sealing gaskets used on the sheet which can cause future leaks.
How to avoid yellowing of polycarbonate sheet.
Modern plastics can be purchased in a 'UV' grade, which offer maximum protection against sunlight and weather exposure. Some companies will sell 'non UV' polycarbonate to users simply because the higher grade material was not requested. If buying polycarbonate or acrylic (perspex) material online for outdoor applications, always ensure that the sheet is 'UV Grade'. This is particularly relevant to greenhosue applications where the UV grade polycarbonate offers the most beneficial environment with UV protection and optimum light transmission for propagation and growth.
When using Multiwall Polycarbonate structured sheet in roofing applications, the sheet is UV protected on one side - the side that has the printed film. Always ensure that this side is placed face up (facing sun) and do not remove the film from the surface of the sheet until you are ready to walk away from the job.
Plastic sheet materials come in many types but will often look to the same. The application is crucially important and hence, our company will always ask you about the application, or put simply, what the material is being used for. Polycarbonate, Acrylic (Perspex) , PETg and other materials may look exactly the same when held in the hand but they have different life spans, impact resistance and technical properties.
Contact our expert team at Plastic Solutions for advice or samples regarding your project. We have large stocks of materials at our warehouse in Dublin on the Naas Road. We offer FREE cutting on materials and can deliver Nationwide.
Check out this handy guide on the products used in our Polycarbonate Roof Overview.
