Since there has been some discussion recently about cleaning masking tape residue from our canopies, I thought I'd update a series of postings I've made about acetone exposure.  The attached photo shows a scrap piece of my Legacy's canopy, left over from cutting it to size while building. 

 

I was curious about the warning that acetone would permanently damage the plastic, which I believe is acrylic.  Six years ago, I soaked the test piece in acetone, I rubbed acetone on the surface and the edges, I literally bathed it in acetone.  Then I set it in a south facing windowsill where it got exposed to the sun every day.  For six years!

 

As you can see from the photo, there is absolutely no damage I can see from the acetone.  The faded felt pen writing says, "Acetone Test 3-06." 

 

Based on this test, which included extreme acetone exposure followed by six years of heavy sun exposure, it doesn't seem that acetone is particularly harmful for a Legacy canopy.  Of course, I am not suggesting that it is safe to use on our canopies or side windows, because there could be failure modes that I'm not testing for.  But it looks like incidental, unintentional exposure does not mean the end of the world for your canopy. 

 

My conclusion is don't intentionally use acetone on your canopy, but don't worry if you get brief incidental contact. 

 

As far as peanut butter for removing masking tape residue, any vegetable oil will remove tree pitch from my hands better than alcohol or more aggressive cleaners, so it wouldn't surprise me that peanut butter oil would work, too.  And it would also keep the oil from running off, which would be a plus. 

 

Dennis

Legacy, nearing 500 hours and it's fifth annual inspection