Splitcoaststampers.com - the world's #1 papercrafting community
You're currently viewing Splitcoaststampers as a GUEST. We pride ourselves on being great hosts, but guests have limited access to some of our incredible artwork, our lively forums and other super cool features of the site! You can join our incredible papercrafting community at NO COST. So what are you waiting for?
I scored a ctmh stamp set and acrylic block for a dollar at a yard sale today. When I opened the envelope one of the stamps had been left on the acrylic block. When I tried to peel it off it tore into and has left a ?stain? On the block. It doesn't feel sticky but is a cloudy impression of the butterfly stamp. Is there a way to clean the block?
Thanks
Kathy T
I'd try a little bit of dish soap and some warm water with an old toothbrush or scraped with the edge of an old credit card. If there's a residue on the block, that should fetch it off. It's possible it's more of an "etching" process and that it won't shift but I don't think it's likely to effect the performance of the block so if it doesn't shift you could just relax about it and think of it as your butterfly block!
Don't be tempted to use rubbing alcohol - it reacts with acrylic and although it will most likely look fine when you do it, the block will probably develop tiny cracks in the surface over time (which means it's no longer completely smooth and stamps have a harder time clinging to it as well as it being harder to see through).
I use a soft microfiber cloth, and a drop of liquid dishwashing detergent, like Dawn. Cloth does not scratch, and the soap helps dissolve the sticky residue. Dishwasher is a great idea also.
__________________ Patrice. Organized people are just too lazy to look for things.
Try a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, I use them on my blocks to remove Staz-On stains (since the Staz-On cleaner isn't good for the blocks), they work great!
repeated use of mr. clean magic erasers on the acrylic blocks can lead to a cloudy surface that is hard to see through. these erasers clean by scratching the surface.
__________________ Meg from MN*madameplushbottom is a childhood nickname from my godmother*
__________________ The quickest way for a parent to get a child's attention is to sit down and look comfortable. Practice safe eating always use condiments
Thanks for all the responses. I think Joanne had it right and this will be known as my butterfly block. Lol. It's a nice size and clear except for the shape of that butterfly so I think I will just use it that way. Thanks for the alcohol tip because that would have been my go to try. Thanks for your help.
Kathy
I use baby wipes, but I'm not looking for a pristine block, either, so that may not suffice for some. I think I'll try the dishwasher - that's sure easy enough (right up my alley haha).
__________________ "May your mind whirl joyful cartwheels of creativity." - Jonathan Lockwood Huie.
As well as alcohol, don't use Staz-on cleaner on acrylic blocks either. That will turn them cloudy and with fine cracks all over them. I used to do it, and wondered what was happening to my blocks, then I read about the Staz-on cleaner. I also have an old clear plate from a stamp positioner, and that has wording ghosted onto it, and that must have been caused by pigment ink many years ago when I was stamping Christmas card greetings to emboss. Would have been mainly Encore metallic pads I used. Maybe I didn't clean them off quickly enough,or maybe its the in k that causes it, don't know.
I don't know if I would use the dishwasher more than once or twice - and then only if I could use warm (not hot) water and no drying in the dishwasher. The heat will definitely cause your block to craze. I think the detergent used for the dishwasher would cause crazing as well - its pretty caustic.
Yes, hand sanitizer and the Stazon cleaner that Shazsilverwolf mentions are also alcohol-based so that's a useful broadening out of my "rubbing alcohol" warning - if it has an alcohol base, avoid using it to clean your acrylic blocks.
Dishwasher detergent would sratch blocks wouldn't it? I only have to look at anything made of aluminum that I've run thru the dishwasher to know that!
I use alcohol wipes and, so far, my blocks look clear. But I'll try the hand dish soap and warm water next time.
I've been using Magic Erasers for at least 3 years now on my blocks, just when they are stained with Staz-On, so not all the time but maybe once every 2-3 months and my blocks are still in perfect shape, no clouding, scratching or cracking. Just my experience
I am wondering if that stamp was not a perm mount...some stamps do come perm mounted on acrylic block-like a variation on wood mount. Or the owner did a perm mount themselves.
For the sticky part I might use Goo gone and quickly wash it off again. It would be a one time thing so I would not expect it to damage it.
They do make cleaners specifically for acrylic...which I got because of stuff I have framed and hanging that isnt behind glass but acrylic sheet over the artwork..because I had heard glass cleaner would fog the plastic.
They sell this in small spray bottles-maybe at the hardware store or Bed Bath Beyond or whatever...it isnt cheap but I dont have to heavy duty my blocks often either.
There are other brands too-some just clean, some polish small scratches out.
So my first reaction was "people clean their acrylic blocks?" lol I mean other then give it a quick wipe with a kitchen towel or a baby wipe....I just figured any staining or slight marks were the sign of use .... I would guess the dishwasher suggestion would be OK, as long as kept it on the top rack, and since I rarely clean my stamps other then a stamp off and a bit of a swipe with a baby wipe cleaning the blocks might be a step to far for me lol!
I use Goo Gone and a paper towel on all of my blocks when I clean them. All the time. It removes any residue from the stamps where I have used Dotto to affix the stamps to the blocks, or any other residue that they may have picked up somewhere. Sometimes I wipe with a dry washcloth after, sometimes I will use Dawn and my hands to wash them after the Goo Gone.
I really don't have much of a problem w/ stamps not sticking to my blocks so don't use any 'adhesive' at all. Just a little swipe with a most washcloth does the job.
NOTE 1: Follow the instructions for putting the printed backing on Stampin Up! stamps closely! I find that if you leave uneven surfaces or bubbles between the backing and the stamp it will no stick to the blocks.
NOTE 2: When pressing the stamp to the block use a wiggling motion while pressing down.
Mary Fish from Stampin Pretty posted three SU videos this morning. The second one is about SU clear mount stamps. In it they say not to use stampin mist to clean their acrylic blocks since there are conditioners in it. They recommend alcohol or a window cleaner. Also, they say you can use a little of the 2 way glue pen on the sticker to give you a little more tackiness.
Mary Fish from Stampin Pretty posted three SU videos this morning. The second one is about SU clear mount stamps. In it they say not to use stampin mist to clean their acrylic blocks since there are conditioners in it. They recommend alcohol or a window cleaner. Also, they say you can use a little of the 2 way glue pen on the sticker to give you a little more tackiness.
Well then, I guess the SU acrylic is made differently then other blocks. I do have an Close to my heart acrylic block that I used Stazon cleaner and alcohol on and it does have the hair line cracks inside the block. Some cracks are bigger than others.
I guess people should just use want they feel comfortable with to clean their blocks.
This is just an informative thread, along with the other thread I posted above. Many of us have cracks from Stazon and alcohol cleaning methods.
__________________ The quickest way for a parent to get a child's attention is to sit down and look comfortable. Practice safe eating always use condiments
Well then, I guess the SU acrylic is made differently then other blocks. I do have an Close to my heart acrylic block that I used Stazon cleaner and alcohol on and it does have the hair line cracks inside the block. Some cracks are bigger than others.
I guess people should just use want they feel comfortable with to clean their blocks.
This is just an informative thread, along with the other thread I posted above. Many of us have cracks from Stazon and alcohol cleaning methods.
Leslie,
I just thought the SU video was interesting to the topic. I wasn't trying to suggest that it was gospel and that is what everyone should do.While my blocks are SU I personally just use warm water and a microfiber cloth, works for me. As Leslie stated above, people should just use what they feel comfortable with. I would assume there are different grades of acrylic and what works for one may be harmful to others.
Please do not use the dishwasher for this as the heat is going to eventually crack the block. I have acrylic glasses from Tupperware that this has happened to and even though they are still usable they look hideous.
Called “Goop” that I buy at Menards but I would guess all the home improvement stores would have it. You don’t even need to use water. Just a little on your hands or a rag and rub it on the block. Then rinse with water and dry with a microfiber towel. My blocks are sparkle-clean and no lines or crazing.
FYI that Goop is great for lots of things. Best stain remover for clothes ever!
I have found that if Photopolymer stamps (and cling stamps too) are left on some brands of acrylic blocks for an extended time, they do damage the block.
What happens? One, they turn the block cloudy under the stamp...and outside it. Evidence that it may be fumes that affect it as well as contact. Two, it "looks" like the block gets etched and "eaten into". If that is the case, it isn't dramatic and doesn't affect the stamps that you put on the block later. The cloudiness is a crystalline white and hinders being able to see through the block. But it looks sparkly when looking through the block to the damaged surfaces on the other side.
I have not had the same thing happen with every brand, and not with the MISTI.
Cleaning acrylic blocks
