Thank you for choosing INTRESTEIN. To ensure your custom acrylic display maintains its clarity and high-end finish, please follow these essential care guidelines.
Cleaning & Polishing
- Pro Tip: If you notice mineral dust or particles, rinse the surface with water before wiping to prevent scratching.
- The Golden Rule: Use ONLY a clean lens-cleaning microfiber cloth (provided) or your fingers.
- Technique: Apply acrylic cleaning spray or polish in a gentle, circular motion.
Approved Cleaners & Compounds
For best results and to maintain your warranty, use only the following approved materials:
- To remove Hot Glue residue, use Heptane, and then an acrylic cleaner listed below.
- To remove Mineral Tack/Putty, your finger works best.
- INTRESTEIN approved Cleaners:
- Water: For rinsing away abrasive dust.
- Mild dish soap: Mixed with water for general cleaning.
- VuPlex – Works well to prevent static attractions
- Novus #1
- Brillianize
- Heptane (High-Purity – Reagent Grade, or N-Heptane)
- Wako Pure Chemical Industries
- Fujifilm Wako
- Kanto Chemical (関東化学)
- Cica
- JX Nippon Oil & Energy
- NS Clean
- Wako Pure Chemical Industries
- INTRESTEIN approved Polish:
- Rolite MNP
- Meguiar’s Mirror Glaze M10
- Novus #2 or 3
- 3M Marine Finesse-it II
- Quixx
- ACRYSUNDAY
- Mothers Plastic Polish
- Blue Magic Plastic & Plexiglass Cleaner
Maintenance Schedule
- High Use: Polish after each use or once a week.
- Display Only: Polish every 3 months to prevent static and dust buildup.
Storage & Handling
- Support: Always lift the display carefully, supporting the sides.
- UV Protection: Avoid prolonged sunlight or UV light to prevent clouding.
- Safe Storage: Wrap items in microfiber or bubble wrap when not in use.
🚫 What to Avoid 🚫
- Abrasive Materials: Never use paper towels, sponges, scouring pads, or regular towels.
- Harsh Chemicals: WILL cause the acrylic to craze / crack or turn cloudy (It can take a matter of minutes to months for the affects to appear).
DO NOT USE:- Alcohols (IPA, Ethanol),
- Ketones (Acetone, MEK),
- Aromatics (Toluene, Benzene, Xylene),
- Aliphatics (Heptane – technical grade, Naphtha, Mineral Spirits)
- While the acrylic is resistant to these, the oily residues will require other steps to clean off, which will increase the risk of introducing scratches.
- Not all chemicals area created equally: To increase their cleaning power, some will contain other ingredients on our Do Not Use list. [i.e. Standard Mineral Spirits: Often contain up to 20% aromatic hydrocarbons (like Toluene or Xylene)]
- Window cleaners (like Windex),
- Bleach,
- Dishwasher detergents.
- WILL cause the acrylic to craze / crack or turn cloudy (It can take a matter of minutes to months to appear).
- Heat: Avoid high-temperature environments; do not use heat guns or hair dryers to remove residues.
- Machines: Never use buffer wheels or car polishers, as these risk melting the surface.
The Three Timelines of Acrylic Damage
- Immediate (Minutes): Acetone & Strong Ketones
- The Affect: The solvent immediately begins dissolving the polymer chains.
- The Look: The surface will turn white (“frosting”) and become “gummy” or tacky. On a laser-cut edge, you will see deep, visible cracks almost instantly.
- Short-Term (Hours to Days): Alcohols (IPA/Ethanol)
- The Affect: The alcohol doesn’t dissolve the plastic but lowers the “surface energy.”
- The Look: You might see fine “hairline” cracks (crazing) that look like a spiderweb inside the material, especially near corners or laser-cut edges where internal stress is highest.
- Delayed (Weeks to Months): Environmental Stress Crazing (ESC)
- The Affect: This is caused by “milder” organic solvents or even certain cleaning vapors being trapped against the acrylic (for example, if a base is placed inside a sealed display case right after being wiped).
- The Look: The material appears fine for a long time, then suddenly develops “fogging” or tiny internal fractures that catch the light. This is often triggered when the temperature changes, causing the material to expand against the weakened polymer bonds.
Frequently Asked Questions
| Issue | Cause | Solution |
| Small Cracks | Aggressive chemicals (like Alcohol). | VIP members receive free replacement*. |
| Micro-scratches | Dust/debris or rough handling. | Use our spray to create a liquid barrier. |
| Cloudiness/Yellowing | Chemical exposure or UV light. | Consider alternative materials like metal or stone for high-UV areas. |
Our Services & Expertise
Our award-winning displays are recognized globally, including the Athea Strickland Award for the Finest Overall Mineral Collection in the African Mineral Exhibition (Hong Kong 2023).
- Display Services: Mounting, Consulting, and Showcase Design.
- Fabrication: Custom Fabrication and Lighting Installation.
- Maintenance: Professional Cleaning, Repair, and Secure Storage.
- Specialty: Grading, Certification, and Event Delivery.
As a reminder, please see our warrenty page for a full list of things covered.
Contact Us
We provide support in English, 日本語, and 中国語.
Japan Office 〒730-0802 広島県広島市中区本川町 3丁4-15-504 📞 +81-80-4554-4349 ✉️ Questions@Intrestein.com
International Office (USA) 541 Highland Park Dr. Billings, MT. 59102 📞 +1-(406)-259-8765 ✉️ Questions@Intrestein.com