Handling
- Cotton or nitrile rubber gloves should be worn to minimize finger-prints and other particles.
- Optium Acrylic® products are covered with a protective film masking on each surface. This masking prevents scratching during handling and cutting and should be left in place on the sheet as long as possible
- To remove the masking, start at one corner and pull towards the opposite side of the sheet slowly and evenly without stopping.
- The masking should never be exposed to excessive sunlight or outdoor conditions for extended periods of time.
Framing Practices for 40”x60” and larger
- To prevent bowing, twisting, and/or warping during framing, provide reinforcing support of the acrylic sheet during framing.
Cleaning
- Place the acrylic on a clean, non-abrasive surface for cleaning.
- Use a clean, soft, lint-free or micro-fiber cloth to clean.
- Do not use coarse or abrasive cleaning agents or dirty cloths.
- Spray an ammonia-free cleaner onto the cloth and wipe the acrylic.
- Never spray cleaner directly on the acrylic.
- Do not use an acrylic cleaner (i.e., Brillianize) on this product.
- Do not buff scratches in this product as it may damage the anti-reflective coating.
- Abrasion-resistant properties prevent mild scratching, but not deep scratches. Cuts by hard objects cannot be repaired.
Cutting
3.0mm or 4.5mm Optium Museum Acrylic® and 3mm Optium Acrylic®
- Place Optium on a clean, dust-free work area.
- Cover the work table with a soft, clean, lint-free felt.
- Use a Multi-Material cutter “scribe and break” method.
6.0mm Optium Museum Acrylic
- Fabricate using a power saw with a saw blade specifically designed to cut acrylic. Contact us for saw blade recommendations.
- Optium Acrylic Glazing should NOT be cut with a laser. The extreme heat can cause crazing, which may lead to delamination of the coating.
Storing Optium
- Avoid storing in areas where condensation might occur.
- Use 2-ply rag board or pH neutral paper for interleaf during short-term storage.
- Stack sheets horizontally with the larger sheets at the bottom, or lean acrylic sheets at an angle of approximately 10 degrees to prevent bowing.
- Allow 24 hours for climatizing before exhibiting. Condensation will leave water spots on the anti-reflective coating.
- The masking should never be exposed to excessive sunlight or outdoor conditions for extended periods of time.
- Although Optium does not require a climate controlled environment for long-term storage, we recommend removing any protective film masking and use pH neutral paper to separate the parts.
- Optium is not effected by standard museum environments or normal warehouse temperatures, and can withstand extreme temperatures of minus 30 degrees F (-34 degrees C) to 160 degrees F (71 degrees C).
- If storing framed pieces, please note that Optium expands and contracts, so allow for size variation in frame systems.
- Avoid shipping framed pieces horizontally as expansion/contraction of the sheet may cause vibration or rubbing against the surface of the artwork.
Get a FREE Tru Vue Optium® Acrylic Glazing Sample Kit!
Experience the best of both worlds--the clarity, abrasion-resistance, and anti-static qualities of anti-reflective glass plus the shatter-resistance and lightweight attributes of UV filtering acrylic. With Tru Vue Optium Acrylic Glazing, you can have it all. Fill in the form below and you'll receive:
– Informative brochure
– Three acrylic samples to view against your artwork
– Steel wool to test abrasion-resistant properties
– Details about the Tru Vue Optium Conservation Grant Program
(Coming soon to international museum community)
To order the Optium® Acrylic Glazing Sample Kit, please complete and submit the form below.