Maintaining acrylic podiums is crucial to ensure longevity and ever-lasting shine. Learn some proven acrylic podium maintenance tips to make it a visual wonder.
Acrylic podiums are worthy investments to enhance the look of your office and event spaces.
Their sleek, contemporary design makes them a versatile choice for any occasion. Unlike traditional podiums made of wood, metal, or glass.
Acrylic is highly durable and resistant to breakage, rusting, contraction, and expansion. So, acrylic podiums are in no way lesser than other podiums lasting for many years.
Acrylic podiums, like any other product, are susceptible to damage from daily use and contact.
Since podiums are supporting aids for speakers. To rest their hands, reference materials, etc.,
Keeping your podium pristine is very important. To let your audience view the brilliant sheen radiated by acrylic podiums.
Top podium manufacturers always prioritize preserving clear lecterns, focusing on effective maintenance steps.
Here, we educate you about the common acrylic podium maintenance tips from cleaning to preservation.
We will share some simple solutions you can follow in your office or event spaces where you keep your podium.
You won’t need to carry your podium anywhere outside for maintenance.
Understanding Acrylic Podiums
Top organizations and event planners are investing in acrylic podiums for many events.
Acrylic podiums are becoming branding tools, where brands laminate their logo, name, and slogan.
You must have come across a simple transparent podium with a brand logo printed that cannot go missing from your sight.
How did acrylic podiums come under the limelight over traditional podiums?
The credit goes to the many advantages of acrylic;
- Being lightweight, podiums are easily portable between rooms, venues, or events.
- Acrylic reflects light with a glass-like shine that gives a visual aesthetic appearance.
- Does not break like glass and can handle heavy weights placed on it.
- Merges apt with any decor indoors and outdoors in any kind of lighting.
- Easy to customize by printing and laminating any design or color. It is also possible to carve or frost designs on acrylic panels.
Such a visually appealing masterpiece is a worthy investment to uplift your brand.
So, it is necessary to learn cleaning strategies for acrylic podiums to improve their lifespan and versatile usage.
Regular maintenance and cleaning help to keep your acrylic podium brand new without any trace of aging.
Acrylic Podium Maintenance Tips: Why It Matters?
The beauty of acrylic lies in its appearance.
Whether they appear transparent or laminated in any specific hue, acrylic podiums have a distinctive and clear view that sets them apart on stage.
But, one needs to follow some acrylic podium maintenance tips. Also, preserving clear lecterns varies from traditional podium maintenance techniques.
Dust accumulation in acrylic is common, like any other material. Frequent dusting is mandatory to prevent your acrylic podium from developing a cloudy appearance.
Dry or wet wiping the podium surface removes small abrasive particles that can scratch the acrylic.
Failing to remove minor scratches can lead them to develop further and cause huge cracks. Use an acrylic polish to buff and remove the scratches and prevent further damage.
Since acrylic looks like glass, many make the blunder of using a cleaning solution meant for glass to clean acrylic podiums.
Most of these solutions contain ammonia. Ammonia can cause acrylic to develop a cloudy view, it reacts with the acrylic material.
So, one must avoid ammonia-based cleaning solutions for acrylic. Finally, keep the podium covered with a soft cotton cloth or blanket when not in use.
This technique keeps your podium pristine by preventing dust and abrasive particle build-up.
Step-by-Step Cleaning Process
Ideally, every manufacturer will include a pamphlet with lectern care tips when they ship podiums to their customers.
This list will contain the set of recommended cleaning products one may use for cleaning and maintaining their podium.
For regular maintenance, one may use any soap solution available at home. Along with a clean microfiber cloth for cleaning and wiping.
Scratch polishing for view-enhancing is also one of the routine acrylic podium maintenance tips.
Let us see the steps for transparent lectern maintenance for a long-lasting hue and sheen.
Step 1: Dusting And Wiping Down The Podium Surface
Dust particles may not even be visible to the naked eye. But, when left as is on the podium, they can result in serious scratches on the panel surfaces.
Also, dusting is not just about using any random cloth or duster to wipe away the dust. You must use a clean and dry microfiber cloth with smooth surfaces.
Dusting cloths may trap abrasive particles in their microfiber gaps. Such particles can scratch the podium surface.
Use a clean, rinsed, and dried microfiber cloth or duster to swipe out dust particles on your podium.
Step 2: Using Mild Soap And Water To Clean The Acrylic Surface
After dusting, it is time for a little wet cleaning to completely remove moist particles that continue to remain on the surface.
For this cleaning, you will only need diluted soap or shampoo solutions.
Dilute a small amount of gentle liquid soap or baby shampoo into a spritzer or spray bottle with soft water.
Shake it well to mix them and get a clear liquid. Spray some liquid generously across the surface of the podium.
Then, wipe it off with a clean microfiber cloth gently with uniform strokes. Again, wipe off the wetness with a fresh microfiber cloth to make sure no wetness remains.
Step 3: Removing Stubborn Stains With Gentle Cleaning Agents
There are many commercial plastic cleaning agents and cleaning solutions available in the market. Such cleaners can help remove tough stains on lecterns.
Pen or pencil marks, paint stains, and food stains like coffee, juices, etc., can be easily wiped off with such solutions.
Be sure to check labels on cleaners to ensure they are safe for use on acrylic surfaces.
Ammonia-based agents can cause a permanent cloudy appearance on acrylic podiums. Just apply the cleaner with a clean microfiber cloth on the stained area.
Then buff it up smoothly till the stain disappears. Use the same technique for tough scratches.
Step 4: Drying The Podium Properly To Prevent Water Spots And Streaks
Yet another acrylic podium maintenance tips are:
- Do a dry wipe after wet wiping with soap solution or acrylic cleaners.
- Dry wiping helps remove water streaks and buffs out small scratches and abrasions.
- Water spots on transparent lecterns can dull their appearance and reduce their attractiveness.
Hence, slow and uniform dry wiping helps keep the crystal clear appearance of acrylic as if it were new.
Also, let the podium air dry for some time before covering it with a cloth. Placing it in a warm area without direct sunlight will also be helpful.
Step 5: Applying Acrylic Polish Or Wax For Added Protection And Shine
While dust accumulation is unavoidable, you can reduce using an antistatic acrylic polish.
Spray a little of this polish on the acrylic podium surface and wipe with a soft and clean microfiber cloth.
As a result, your podium remains dust-repellent for a fairly long amount of time. Occasional waxing enhances the sheen and protects acrylic podiums from scratches.
Upon initial application of wax, the podium will appear dull. But as it dries and settles down, your podium will get its original brilliant hue and shine.
Preparing For Maintenance
After the end of an event or conference, be prepared to secure your podium while dismantling a stage.
Cover your podium if it’s fixed on stage while removing other stage properties or decorations. This precaution protects against tiny objects that may cause scratches or cracks.
When carrying or holding your podium from one stage to another stage or event, rubber gloves are mandatory for the transporting staff.
Using gloves can prevent fingerprints or nail marks on podium surfaces. After placing the podium in a safe area, follow the basic dry wiping maintenance tips.
Then, cover the podium and leave it for a day or two or until a few days before the next event. Do a wet wiping 3-to 4 days before the next event to make your podium appear new and shiny.
If you notice dullness despite regular maintenance, consider polishing or applying wax. Contact your manufacturer for expert care if you are not satisfied.
Special Maintenance Tips For Acrylic Podium
So far, we have seen some acrylic podium maintenance tips that every podium owner must know.
Let us learn prevention strategies to enhance the lifespan and durability of acrylic products.
Some common damage prevention techniques include;
- Avoid abrasive cleaners and solutions containing ammonia.
- Using lint-free clean and dry microfiber or cotton clothes for wiping.
- Use protective equipment like gloves when carrying, moving, or cleaning podiums.
- Covering podiums when not in use.
Let us explore common issues with acrylic podiums and easy solutions to address them.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Scratches and scuffs on acrylic are unavoidable.
Since the podium is a resting tool, one cannot prevent a speaker or presenter from placing their hands on the lectern.
Naturally, the podium will be susceptible to scratches or marks. One way to get rid of scratches is to use a low gsm (thickness) sandpaper and apply acrylic plastic cleaners in the affected area.
Gently buff it out in circular motions. Then wipe it with a wet cloth, and then a dry cloth. Another hack is to have an anti-scratch coating on your acrylic podium.
Areas that frequently come in contact with speakers or presenters. This coating is like what is applied on spectacles to prevent blurred or cloudy vision.
Cloudiness and haziness of podiums say it is time for a routine cleaning, as discussed in the steps above.
Dry wiping, followed by wet wiping with a soap solution, and then an acrylic cleaner. It will bring back the stunning aesthetic of acrylic.
Make sure to give enough time for the cleaners to work their magic, then wipe and let it dry. For tough stains like adhesive residue, paints, etc., use any acetone or alcoholic solutions.
The best example of these solutions would be nail polish removers. It is found in many homes or small convenience stores.
Long-Term Maintenance Strategies
Regular transparent lectern maintenance and cleaning are important. It ensures the longevity and aesthetic appeal of your acrylic podium.
Be sure to conduct regular inspections of your podium. You may use a magnifying glass to check for small scratches, that can develop into deep cracks when left as is.
Look at the podium from different corners of your room to see if every angle radiates the same hue and shine of the falling light.
If your acrylic podium appears dull despite regular care, it’s time to call for professional cleaning.
Do not follow any random tutorials online and mess up with your podium. Ensure the cleaning products you use are approved by your manufacturer.
Failing to follow the manufacturer-recommended care routine will permanently damage your product.
Your product warranty claims will be useless if you do not follow the proper maintenance routine and cleaning products.
For deep cleaning and maintenance, always call your manufacturer for handholding.
Most podium manufacturers provide at least one professional cleaning service free of cost.
Acrylic Podium Maintenance Tips For Long-lasting Elegance
We learned some amazing acrylic podium maintenance tips that anyone can follow to maintain their podium.
Whether your podium is fixed or portable, it’s crucial to protect it from dust and abrasive particles.
Maintaining transparent acrylic podiums is not that hard. Use a diluted soap solution and a microfiber or cotton cloth to regularly clean your podiums.
Small scratches and blurs can be buffed up by cleaning with acrylic polishes and plastic cleaners.
As a preventive measure, keep your acrylic. podium covered with a soft blanket or cloth when not in use.
Classic Concepts will handhold you on how to maintain your acrylic podiums and let them last a long time, just like traditional podiums.
Take a look at our vast collection of acrylic podiums in attractive designs for all kinds of occasions.
