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What are some safe cleaners for CA glue finished pens?

2K views 10 replies 7 participants last post by  Wildwood 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Hi everyone,

I got a good question from a buyer about what cleaners to use for pens with a CA finish. He works retail and wants to remove germs more than grime/dirt.

He was looking at citrus based cleaners (all-purpose spray), and I found that 3M makes a much more powerful citrus cleaner that claims to dissolve glues and replace acetone, among other chemicals. So I recommended to avoid citrus based cleaner for now, even though it seems to be much weaker than 3M. I figure over time it might cause the same problems as the more powerful cleaner.

https://webaps.ellsworth.com/edl/Actions/GetLibraryFile.aspx?document=16207&language=en

I wasn't sure about which cleaners might be safe though. I know we should avoid petroleum-based substances on CA, and obviously acetone. What about alcohol or bleach? And any thoughts about a hard-surface cleaner sold in stores that someone could safely use? I would love to be able to make a clear recommendation, at least about what chemicals are safe vs. not safe if I can't recommend a common product.

Rest assured I have spent a couple hours googling "chemicals that affect cyanoacrylate" and "will citrus dissolve CA glue," etc. I haven't been able to find a definitive list or anything like that. So I would really appreciate any experience you can share!
 
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#2 ·
No experience in this, but would suggest you contact the manufacturer of the CA you are using. They should know the chemical properties of their products and the way various cleaning solutions would effect them.
 
#5 ·
Not sure what kind of care & cleaning instructions will find over at IAP today. So other that telling your customer not to let customers use your personal pen can not help you.

Have never given care & cleaning instructions whether gave away or sold a pen! Worst complaint ever had was someone stole my pen. Remember back many years ago some turners posted their detailed cleaning care & cleaning instructions for pens they sold. Some things listed just common sense other bordered on ridiculous.

A woodturner over at Woodnet.com posted his experience with Jr. Gent with CA finish after 5 years of daily use. The fit & finish was in humble condition even after reapplication couple times, also talked about pen components he replaced during this time.

CA glue while acts same as other film forming wood finishes! CA glue never meant to be wood finish! Only two advantages to using CA as a wood finish is easy & quick! It is no more durable than other film finishes. Russ Fairfield used to say some people's skin is so caustic only pen surface that won't destroy is a PIC! That so many years ago but still true today!

JMHO, there is nothing out there that will allow you to clean a pen's wood surface after each use that's not going degrade a pen's finish. Depending upon the kit plating might also degrade that finish too!

You might make a case where acrylic pens may hold up better with proper cleaning after each use! I really don't know! Only finish ever used is acrylic pens is HUT Ultra Plastic Polish on acrylic pens.
 
#9 ·
Not a pen turner. Just a amateur polymer chemist who occasionally beats dead horses. lol

The acrylate in CA cures to make the finish an acrylic. Acrylic is not a very durable plastic. If you end up with a porous acrylic film, it will let the cleaner reach the wood and could create adhesion issues which makes cleaning tougher?

From a chemistry standpoint, would suggest the best cleaner options would be same recommended for cleaning acrylic (plexiglass) windows?
Which means don't use glass cleaner, acids, ammonia, or acetone. Usual recommendation is only mild soap and water. Have used small amount of kerosene to successfully clean tar off plexiglass (acrylic) windows with out damage; while naphtha or gasoline will make the window cloudy.

Acrylics are sometimes used in car bezels. There are a couple of plastic polishes like Brillianize and Novus the car folks recommend as safe for cleaning most vehicle plastics. Might be worth testing how they work on your CA coated pens?

Just thinking out loud about what I would test/use.
YMMV
 
#10 ·
If the objective is to kill germs, for me the answer is to not share the pen to start with-especially now with the Coronavirus. My unscientific guess is that pens will have reduced likelihood of "disappearing" now, as we become more sensitized to the risk involved. I haven't been in many stores lately, but the credit card signature pens really creep me out-may start carrying a stylus pen to see if that works.
earl
 
#11 · (Edited by Moderator)
Captain, enjoyed your post, thank you for the information.

Using Novus #1 cleaner and not using #2 & #3 might work for occasional use. Have seen Novus products use by pen turners years ago on acrylics pens at IAP. Brillianize also sounds promising too. Those micro fiber cleaning cloth towel for wiping on the product would preclude everyday use.

While CA may harden just like other acrylics, durability always questionable due to actual use, application, and other environmental factors. Quality of pen platings another factor.

When started turning all three main suppliers of kits and supplies had a plating chart in their catalog & online. Talking about Berea Hardwoods, Craft Supplies USA, and Penn State Industries (PSI). Only found these on line today:

Plating charts: https://www.bereahardwoods.com/pen-kit/cp-about-plating.html

http://blog.woodturnerscatalog.com/2012/09/pens-and-platings/

PSI kit platings were always considered least durable than Berea, & Craft Supplies. Well today the big three and their resellers also offer economy line kits that have least durable platings you can find.

See not the only one recommending don't let customers use your pen. Back when sold pens did lay out a pad for folks to try my pens out before buying. Today would tell them buy then try!
 
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