Brake Cleaner safe on PVC Windows
James - 27/5/11 at 12:39 PM
Greetings all,
Got 2 problems.
1) Using newspaper to 'polish' the windows. Print came off on the PVC frame and won't just wash off. Was thinking of using brake
cleaner to get it off.
2) The genius previous owner of this house wanted more privacy so used double sided tape of some sort to stick lace curtain over the glass bit of the
PVC front door! 
The curtain is long gone but the hardened sticky mess remains.
Again, thinking of using brake cleaner on the PVC door.
Just dont want to find that brake cleaner dissolves PVC or something! 
Cheers,
James
Bluemoon - 27/5/11 at 12:48 PM
Might try (on a small spot) white spirit, or WD40 (will need to clean oil off after). Found some cleaners with bleach very good on white gloss powder
coat (sliding patio doors), might be worth a go.
David Jenkins - 27/5/11 at 01:59 PM
You can get a bottle of liquid called "Sticky Stuff Remover" that's excellent for removing old tape glue & similar (good for
getting the remains of old labels off things). Smells strongly of oranges...
britishtrident - 27/5/11 at 02:32 PM
quote:
Originally posted by David Jenkins
You can get a bottle of liquid called "Sticky Stuff Remover" that's excellent for removing old tape glue & similar (good for
getting the remains of old labels off things). Smells strongly of oranges...
Tangerine oil sometimes sold as UPVC cleaner also used to make STP "Son of Gun" car interior vinyl treatment.
Peteff - 27/5/11 at 03:23 PM
Acetone works to remove the expanding foam from where you didn't want it
Bluemoon - 27/5/11 at 03:24 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Peteff
Acetone works to remove the expanding foam from where you didn't want it
Will eat PVC though (and most other plastics).
Andybarbet - 27/5/11 at 09:41 PM
Autoglym 'Instant tar remover' gets sticky stuff off pretty much everything ive tried so far & doesnt harm plastic - might be worth a go
JoelP - 27/5/11 at 10:07 PM
on a similar theme, if you have damaged the frame, ie when removing the beads, a heatgun makes it return to its original shape - i was amazed at the
bumps that dissaopeared.
designer - 27/5/11 at 10:11 PM
The usual thing for cleaning plastic windows is CIF, as it is a very mild abrasive.
WD40 removes tar too.
MikeRJ - 28/5/11 at 04:57 AM
T cut works well on most plastics
rusty nuts - 28/5/11 at 08:05 AM
Try a very small area with the brake cleaner first? As already suggested WD40 tends to loosen sticky stuff so worth a try.
Fred W B - 28/5/11 at 04:03 PM
Brasso (and some elbow grease) works very well on sticky stuff on glass and other hard surfaces.
I would be wary with brake cleaner (which is basically acetone) as acetone softens some plastics. Test carefully
Cheers
Fred W B
Angel Acevedo - 29/5/11 at 04:36 AM
As above, try a citrus based degreaser.
They work great to remove stiker glue residue.
I think Limonene is the main ingredient.
MikeR - 29/5/11 at 10:15 AM
When my upvc windows where fitted, they suggested cleaning the frames with wd40.