Cleaning Acrylic?

fishingandpipes

Part of the Furniture Now

Aug 24, 2013

654

48

• Apr 2, 2016

• #1

My understanding is that you aren't supposed to use alcohol on acrylic as it can ruin it and cause it to crack and shatter.
So, what do you all use for cleaning your acrylic stems?

 

Chasing Embers

Captain of the Black Frigate

Nov 12, 2014

43,445

109,364

• Apr 2, 2016

• #2

Have used Everclear on mine for years with no ill effect.

 

ejames

Lifer

Oct 6, 2009

3,916

22

• Apr 3, 2016

• #3

I use 91% isopropyl with no problems.

 

xrundog

Part of the Furniture Now

Oct 23, 2014

737

1

Ames, IA

• Apr 3, 2016

• #4

Alcohol on the airway. Stem polish or a buffer on the exterior. It's tough stuff.

 

D

davedan

Might Stick Around

Dec 31, 2015

78

0

• Apr 3, 2016

• #5

Is it wise to wash pipe steams (all kinds)? That's what I do under cold water when cleaning a pipe. then run pipe cleaners through it?

 

daveinlax

Charter Member

May 5, 2009

2,001

2,711

WISCONSIN

• Apr 3, 2016

• #6

I think it's Perpex stems that can be damaged by alcohol. I use alcohol on my Castello stems and have soaked the opaque colored stems for over a half hour to cut the tar with no issues. 8O

 

xrundog

Part of the Furniture Now

Oct 23, 2014

737

1

Ames, IA

• Apr 3, 2016

• #7

Cold water won't hurt.

 

stvalentine

Part of the Furniture Now

Jan 13, 2015

808

13

Northern Germany

• Apr 3, 2016

• #8

You can use alcohol, hot and cold water on acrylic stems. On the buffer it needs a light hand, otherwise it melts easily.

 

fishingandpipes

Part of the Furniture Now

Aug 24, 2013

654

48

• Apr 3, 2016

• #9

Huh. Good to know. If daveinlax is ok with it, it's good for me for sure, I just could have sworn people say it can get so brittle it can shatter with enough exposure to alcohol.

 

buroak

Lifer

Jul 29, 2014

1,867

14

• Apr 5, 2016

• #10

I think it's Perpex stems that can be damaged by alcohol.

Click to expand...

In my experience, prolonged exposure of Perspex stems (or at least my Perspex-like stems) to alcohol can be quite harmful. Brief exposure typical to airway cleaning has not apparently damaged my Perspex stems. According to allplastics.com, isopropyl alcohol can be used to clean Perspex.

 

ssjones

Moderator

Staff member

May 11, 2011

18,432

11,341

Maryland

postimg.cc

• Apr 6, 2016

• #11

I think it's Perpex stems that can be damaged by alcohol.

Click to expand...

Yep, clear acrylic can haze. StValentine's comment is also worth noting, the plastic will melt if too much speed/heat is generated.

 

mrmotoyoshi

Starting to Get Obsessed

Jan 8, 2014

162

1

Motoyoshi, Japan

• Apr 11, 2016

• #12

I've heard of this before but never experienced any ill effects of alcohol on acrylic. Some have mentioned lime juice and water mixed on other forums but I've never ventured to try it.

 

cigrmaster

Lifer

May 26, 2012

20,249

57,280

66

Sarasota Florida

• Apr 21, 2016

• #13

Pampers hypo allergenic baby wipes work best, you can wipe your ass and your stem at the same time. I will leave it up to you which goes first.
I really do crack myself up sometimes.