fini Posted June 9, 2004 Share Posted June 9, 2004 Today I received a CRT monitor (eBay purchase-see picture) via FedEx. Very well packed, except the foam used (Instapak expanding foam) unfortnately got on the body of the monitor! Before I use some kind of chemical which might etch the monitor, I am trying to do a bit of research. I am awaiting a reply from the seller. The Instapak website was no help (they probably don't want to tell folks this stuff ruins plastic...). Maybe one of my forum mates has run into a similar problem. It's right where the controls are, too! DRAG!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neo33 Posted June 9, 2004 Share Posted June 9, 2004 A soft cloth and isopropyl compound will do the job just fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fini Posted June 9, 2004 Author Share Posted June 9, 2004 Like denatured alcohol? Or...? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neo33 Posted June 9, 2004 Share Posted June 9, 2004 Otherwise known as "rubbing alcohol". . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fini Posted June 9, 2004 Author Share Posted June 9, 2004 Pardon me for being stupid, but rubbing alcohol-YES, denatured alcohol-NO? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fini Posted June 9, 2004 Author Share Posted June 9, 2004 If the "Instapak" foam is chemically similar to Dow's "Great Stuff" (foam in a can), this does not sound good (from the Dow website): How do I get GREAT STUFF off of the side of my house? There is no solvent that will remove cured polyurethane foam. Remove as much as possible with a dull scraper or a hacksaw blade and then try scrubbing the remaining film with a non-abrasive cleaner. If that does not work gradually move up to more aggressive means until you start to damage the substrate. At that time you will have to consider sanding or sandblasting and repainting. So, do I ask the seller to pitch in for sandblasting? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebes Posted June 9, 2004 Share Posted June 9, 2004 A mild universal solvent is mineral spirits. Not sure if it will work in this case but guaranteed not to etch or discolor your monitor. It may leave a film but that can be cleaned off with Windex. Also consider wd40 followed by Widex but do not use Goofoff or anything like it. Goof Off will hurt plastic. Pure ammonia may also work but try in hidden spot first. I'm a painting contractor and the above are a regular part of my arsenal for spills and other various problems. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fini Posted June 9, 2004 Author Share Posted June 9, 2004 Hmmmm, not lookin' too great, with anything I've used... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
formica Posted June 10, 2004 Share Posted June 10, 2004 ---------------- On 6/9/2004 6:28:11 PM fini wrote: At that time you will have to consider sanding or sandblasting and repainting. ---------------- Should work though... Or another solution would be to consume the alcohol yourself, and eventually the blurred vision will make the foam un-noticeable. Seriously though.... If it's like the home stuff, I've found very little around the house which works. Acetone will dissolve the foam... but dissolves plastic also. Regular paint thinners aren't strong enough. Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jephdood Posted June 10, 2004 Share Posted June 10, 2004 Look for some stuff called "Goof-Off". Can be found in most home improvement stores, hardware stores. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fini Posted June 10, 2004 Author Share Posted June 10, 2004 I'm pretty sure Goof-Off will melt the plastic. Nothing I've poured on a chunk of the foam seems to disolve it. They should make houses (or computer monitors) out of this stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZAKO Posted June 10, 2004 Share Posted June 10, 2004 Try Bestine (not benzol) Will not effect plastic. If all the above fails you might have to sand and refinish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan Songer Posted June 10, 2004 Share Posted June 10, 2004 There's a product I've been using for about a year now called "Krud Kutter" and have found it able to remove LOTS of stuff. It's great for getting old tape residue from LP jackets--it works better than ANTHING I have ever used and it does NOT harm paper (you do have to worry about getting it too wet!). Anyway, I would give it a try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T_Shomaker Posted June 10, 2004 Share Posted June 10, 2004 I have used goo-gone on plastic before and it didn't do anything to the plastic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fini Posted June 10, 2004 Author Share Posted June 10, 2004 What would be the best paint for plastic? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fini Posted June 10, 2004 Author Share Posted June 10, 2004 "After cleaning" photo... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allan Songer Posted June 10, 2004 Share Posted June 10, 2004 Krylon semi-flat black. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BBB Posted June 12, 2004 Share Posted June 12, 2004 Seriously, you might want to try a little automobile break fluid on a small area. After rubbing it on, clean it well with soap and water and do not let any of the liquids drip inside the unit. Also maybe try toluene in the same manner. Its used for furniture stripping and I have had luck with it in the past. Use it very quickly in a small test area. Theres no guarantee here. You just need to use caution. After removing the gunk and the surface is dry it may leave a haze. Thats when I use WD-40 liberally. Use it very quickly in a small test area. All plastics have different reactions to these chemicals and so does your skin. So be careful. Remember! Wash the solvent off . DO NOT let it stay on the unit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fini Posted June 12, 2004 Author Share Posted June 12, 2004 I'm going to use Vaseline, and rub it all over the unit. Actually, I knew acetone was going to be a bit too strong, but I used it anyway, with a scotchbrite pad. Mostly, the stuff is gone (along with some of the surface texture on the monitor case). What's left is a yellowish blobby smear on a black plastic monitor. I think the problem is this stuff chemically bonded with the plastic. Be careful to wrap your goodies if you use it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BBB Posted June 12, 2004 Share Posted June 12, 2004 A Scotchbrite pad! Hmmmmmmmmm.I might of tried that too out of frustration.You are probably right.The instapak has become imbedded in the monitors plastic.You probably won't notice it after a while and the flash from a camera always seems to make things appear worse than they are in most pictures.One thing though fini, you did warn us about the Instapac's potential problems if the rest of us try to use it. Another thing. It seems to me that either the monitor or the Instapack had gotten pretty darn warm BEFORE the wrapping procedure. Perhaps one or both items were left in the sunlight just before packaging. Oh well. What was that saying. The road of good intentions is paved by the plans of men trying to hatch eggs that are counted by mice before the chickens are hatched? Or SOMETHING like dat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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