Remove adhesive from the Core One front acrylic panel
Hello dear community,
I recently bought a used Core One.
The previous owner had stuck a sticker on the front panel.
I tried heating the sticker with a hair dryer and removing it, but unfortunately it left a lot of adhesive residue behind.
Does anyone have an idea how I can remove the adhesive?
I’ve read that isopropanol or acetone can damage the acrylic. I also tried using oil, but that didn’t work either.
Best Answer by Jascha3D:
I actually just found a solution to the problem. I used isopropanol and a very soft cloth, but I immediately neutralized the isopropanol with water each time. If you’re a bit careful, you can remove the adhesive residue from the panel this way.
RE: Remove adhesive from the Core One front acrylic panel
I actually just found a solution to the problem. I used isopropanol and a very soft cloth, but I immediately neutralized the isopropanol with water each time. If you’re a bit careful, you can remove the adhesive residue from the panel this way.
RE:
Just for future reference: The door material is polycarbonate, not acrylic. Doesn't make a huge difference regarding solvent compatibility, but it implies other pros and cons. Polycarbonate is less breakable, withstands higher temperatures, but is more easily scratched and less transparent than acrylic.
https://www.acmeplastics.com/acrylic-vs-polycarbonate
Either material should withstand isopropanol without problems; no need to rinse with water immediately.
RE: Remove adhesive from the Core One front acrylic panel
Polycarbonate is susceptible to crazing from many solvents, including isopropanol. Even detergents can be a problem. I'd keep exposure to a minimum, just enough to get the adhesive off.
RE: Remove adhesive from the Core One front acrylic panel
Polycarbonate is susceptible to crazing from many solvents, including isopropanol. Even detergents can be a problem. I'd keep exposure to a minimum, just enough to get the adhesive off.
Are you sure about the isopropanol? Consensus seems to be that methanol is the only alcohol which polycarbonate can't handle, and that its resistance to isopropanol is very good. Regarding detergents, highly alkaline cleaners are problematic; but with polycarbonate being quite popular for drinking bottles (and chemistry labware), regular dishwashing detergent does not seem to cause problems.
https://www.calpaclab.com/polycarbonate-chemical-compatibility-chart/
(See under "alcohols" in the table.)
RE: Remove adhesive from the Core One front acrylic panel
All I know is IPA destroys the top panel...dont ask 🤣
I presume the top panel and door are the same material.
RE: Remove adhesive from the Core One front acrylic panel
they actually come with a sticker "don't use IPA or else" but the printing fumes also attack the material. Want to keep it in pristine condition, encase in a solid oak box.
Stickers, regardless the surface, WD40 is my first choice. Organic solvent (petrol) then more organic stuff (fish oil?!) to keep it separate. Usually works and does not have a reputation for chemical aggressiveness.
RE: Remove adhesive from the Core One front acrylic panel
they actually come with a sticker "don't use IPA or else" but the printing fumes also attack the material. Want to keep it in pristine condition, encase in a solid oak box.
Hmm, I am pretty sure mine were sticker-less; but that was a very early kit. I have seen polycarbonate mentioned only with regard to the door, in some Prusa launch publicity. Wondering whether the thin side and top panels are a different material?
Anyway, I am surprised. I have used isopropanol as my "do no harm" solvent for decades, and can't recall any incident where it damaged whatever plastics. Are we sure we are not talking about acetone or something along those lines?
RE: Remove adhesive from the Core One front acrylic panel
IPA is also my go-to solvent. The problem with polycarbonate can be very subtle, but if you're trying to keep that perfect optical surface/finish, a lot of supposedly safe things aren't. My Core One also had stickers somewhere specifically cautioning against IPA. OT- my wife had a problem where her glasses, with polycarbonate (or similar) lenses would develop stress cracks from the edges in. My guess is that it was a combination of the way the edge was cut, combined with the soap/detergent she washed them with every day. A search found various posts on this. OTOH, the printer is a tool and it's going to pick up some wear and tear unless you're running a museum!
RE: Remove adhesive from the Core One front acrylic panel
they actually come with a sticker "don't use IPA or else" but the printing fumes also attack the material. Want to keep it in pristine condition, encase in a solid oak box.
Hmm, I am pretty sure mine were sticker-less; but that was a very early kit. I have seen polycarbonate mentioned only with regard to the door, in some Prusa launch publicity. Wondering whether the thin side and top panels are a different material?
Anyway, I am surprised. I have used isopropanol as my "do no harm" solvent for decades, and can't recall any incident where it damaged whatever plastics. Are we sure we are not talking about acetone or something along those lines?
There are a few plastics where IPA is a bad idea, the top panel is one, I'm not trying it on my side panels or door for obvious reasons 🤣 Im not too concerned about the top panel, it'll be redundant soon with INDX.
I once made the mistake of using IPA on a Pioneer CDJ I was repairing, it had the same effect and basically starts attacking the plastic.
99% of the time IPA is great, but after that I always use it on an inconspicuous section first to check.
RE: Remove adhesive from the Core One front acrylic panel
There is indeed a warning in the 3D Printing Handbook, Core One edition, section 11.2:
Warning: Do not clean the transparent panels with alcohol-based cleaning solutions. This can damage the transparent panels, resulting in cracked surfaces.
And there is a separate Regular Maintenance page (which I did not know at all) which explicitly states that this includes IPA. I stand corrected, or at least cautioned!
RE: Remove adhesive from the Core One front acrylic panel
I think it's IPA's ability to force itself into microscopic cracks.
The sticker, may have seen it on a photo of a shipped pre-built unit. Manual, didn't read 🙂