ARTPLEX DECORATIVE ACRYLIC PANELS
BASIC FABRICATION, HANDLING AND CARE MANUAL

All Artplex™ products can be fabricated using standard acrylic (i.e. Plexiglas) fabrication techniques. The below listed procedures are general guidelines for fabrication yet are not specifically covered by our warranty.

Handling
Artplex™ sheets should be stored flat to avoid warping. Protective film should be kept on throughout the fabrication process to avoid marring. Avoid exposure of film to direct sunlight as this may make film removal difficult.

Cleaning
Water - 1 qt. with a few drops of dish detergent is ideal. Products for acrylic such as Novus are fine as well. Isopropyl alcohol removes magic markers and Naptha can be used to remove more stubborn stains. Wash with water afterwards. A dab of paste wax will protect and hide fine scratches on our gloss surface. A wet green Scotchbrite is recommended for our Matte finish. Always use a circular motion.

Cutting
For Table, Miter, and Circle saw. Use a triple chip carbide blade. Be conscious of feed rate. Band and Jig saws. Rough cut blades tend to melt less, but must take care to avoid chipping.

Routing
Use only carbide tipped bits

Drilling
Use only bits that are ground for acrylic use. Take caution to avoid backside blowout. For mechanical fastening, holes should be 1/16" larger then bolt to allow expansion. Tapping threads in Artplex™ is possible, but is not covered by our warranty.

Sanding
Repair of gloss surface Best results are with successive grades of wet/ dry paper. Start with 80 grit and go down to at least 600 before polishing. Feather sanding to avoid noticeable dips. Matte finish is 80 grit with a random orbital sander. Followed with a wet Green Scotchbrite pad. Always Sand/wipe in a circular motion

Polishing
Polish with electric drill or bench motor, using a loose flannel wheel. Apply blue plastic polish compound to wheel or Novus 2 to plastic. Keep piece or drill moving along surface to avoid melting. Flame polishing is not recommended for this product.

Gluing
There are a variety of gluing methods for Artplex™ depending on the application.
ALL GRADES - Artplex can be glued to itself or other acrylic material with such products as Weld On 3, 4, &16. On surfacing grade with liner, the white liner must be removed at contact points ( must be acrylic to acrylic)
SURFACING GRADE* - Surface Grade without white liner (dyed back) is suggested for use only with flammable grade clear contact cement (brush or spray) due to transparency of material Artplex™ Surfacing grade with liner can be adhered to MDF, particle board, plywood etc. with contact cement ( flammable clear grade, brush or spray ), and white or clear Silicone adhesive. For Sheetrock, white or clear silicone gives very good results. For water exposure applications to items like cement board ( showers) , Artplex™ can be adhered with Roo glue and Silicone glue. As Artplex is partially see thru , care should be taken to remove markings on substrates and to evenly apply adhesives to avoid obvious glue lines.

Other adhesives may be suitable, but have not been tested. Advise taking a small scrap of acrylic material and test alternatives. E.H. Waldman Studio makes no claims of suitability for adhesives not mentioned above.

CABINETRY/ FURNITURE FABRICATION
Note to Cabinetmakers: pieces should be cut "close to size" as much as possible- especially edge strips. Excessive overhang may pull material into routers when trimming. Also make sure that protective taping is in place to avoid tool marks.

Special Precautions
Heat - Artplex™ is not designed for high temperatures. It is not recommended for areas near stoves, oven, fireplaces, etc. where temperatures exceed 150 degrees. Other areas such as inside enclosed store display windows are to be avoided. In exterior applications Artplex™ should not be glued or mounted directly against a substrate as it does not allow for heat escape.. If fabricated into an acrylic box, vent holes must be drilled for heat. In general, allow for as much airflow as possible in every design. While Artplex™ is not specifically warranted for exterior use, Both Window & Architectural Grades have been placed in continuous outside conditions of sun, rain, snow, ice, heat and cold for over 10 years with little change.
Water - While the surface of Artplex™ is truly waterproof, the edges may have tiny gaps where the internal carving is exposed. For high water exposure applications, such as showers, etc. edges should be either sealed ( Roo glue or silicone) or placed in a sealing frame.