How to Get Melted Plastic Off Heat Press

On one fine day, you swarm into your office, go to the section where you do the magic for the customers (making their ideas converted into the design and then heat pressing them on their wearables) but you turn shocked!

Shocked by looking at the state of heat platens.

You surely gonna backfire on your employees for that because the hard melted plastic has lured to the platens.

But do not worry at all — these are normal consequences to face when running a heat press business.

Despite being panicked about the situation, you should rather have a plan to get rid of it.

However, not everything will work if you propose the plan of how to get melted plastic off heat press for the reason —

Applying anything and any method may probably damage the machine.

So, stay patient!

First, Where Does the Plastic Come from that Sticks to Heat Press?

This is correct, we must have to investigate what is the reason for plastic getting melted on the heat platens and its source before turning to how to get it off.

Understand, it is not a normal heat press cleanup drill.

We have to deliberately take care of melted plastic which gets on due to uncounted reasons.

The high heat is the culprit here. But the high heat is equally important to transfer the high-end designs to a variety of fabrics.

Some would rather need to get the machine touching the maximum temperature which will definitely melt the plastic from HTV, burning a bit of the fabric.

So, it is kinda normal but it is not really normal to keep letting the plastic adhere to the heat platens.

Not removing it off would ultimately draw down the efficiency of heat press machine.

What Stuff Required To Remove Plastic Off the Heat Platens?

Now, get ready to shop the following to start with the cleanup procedure;

• EZ-Off iron Cleaner
• Acetone
• Rubbing Alcohol
• Pair of heat-resistant hand gloves
• Protective eyeglasses
• A soft cloth
• Towel
• Bucket of soapy water

How to Get Melted Plastic Off Heat Press: 5 Methods of Real Easy Cleanup Procedures

Let’s wait no more and head directly to the cleanup procedures which we have devised for you.

Plastic Cleanup Method #1: Always Read User Manual from the Machine Manufacturer

High are the chances, the book that comes at the time of purchasing the heat press machine could be the time savior.

Always revert to it and find out the cleanup process may highlight an effective solution to such a situation where we are staggering to remove the melted plastic.

Plastic Cleanup Method #2: Heat The Melted Plastic

The heat is prone to melt the stuff, and the same heat can melt off.

But before applicating this method, make sure to wear heat-protective hand gloves to avoid burning your fingers.

Turn on the machine and raise its temperature which will start to burn the melted plastic where you can remove it off quite easily.

When the plastic turns into liquid form, wipe it using a piece of cloth.

After that, dip another piece of a soft cloth into the warm soapy water and wipe the heat platens for some time.

This will help to a greater extent to get the plastic to come off.

In the end, rinse the cool water around and dry it up with the help of a towel making sure it does not leave any water drops on the machine.

Plastic Cleanup Method #3: Use Acetone

Now comes the turn of chemicals. Acetone is an excellent solvent to get rid of melted plastic.

And it is quite easy to use as well — just spill a bit of Acetone on the problematic area and wait for around five minutes.

After that, use a scrubber which will start to peel away the melted plastic off heat platens.

Then soak a soft cloth into the warm soapy water and rub the entire platen.

This will remove all the residue from the plastic as well as the traces of Acetone making it look rather new.

Plastic Cleanup Method #4: EZ Off Heat Press Platen Cleaner

Do you have an EZ Off Heat Press Platen Cleaner? Yikes! That’s a pure blessing!

It can literally get many hard materials off the heat platen including the melted plastic.

• Turn on the machine and preheat to up to 200F
• Turn off and unplug the power cable from when it reaches 200F temperature
• Apply the solvent over a cotton rag and rub the problematic area
• Get another piece of rag if it becomes soiled and continue rubbing the platen
• Once all the plastic residue has been come off from the platen, take a clean piece of a soft cloth and wipe the whole surface gently
• Now enjoy having the sleet and clean heat platens that glitter like silver!

Plastic Cleanup Method #5: Rubbing Alcohol

Rubbing Alcohol is another effective chemical-rich solution that can easily take off hard melted plastic.

Since it is also a flammable chemical, we do not recommend using it in a non-ventilated space and not over the hot heat press machine.

• • Turn off the heat press machine and wait for it to cool down
  • Drop a few drops from Rubbing Alcohol on the problematic area
  • Wear protective hand gloves
  • Take a cloth or cotton rag and rub the area gently
  • See if the melted plastic comes off. If not, then apply a few more drops and rub with a rag of cotton or cloth
  • If everything just came off, rinse the cool water and then dry the entire heat platen with a soft towel
  • Now enjoy having the heat platens shining like new!

Conclusion!

First off, the daily cleanup can get rid of most of the residue.

The problem comes when you skip the cleaning schedule and then the residue keeps adding up for some time.

Using the heat press machine for the business purpose has to be going with the regular cleanup (daily is preferable) which may save you from going through the thorough cleanup every often.

Now that you know how to get melted plastic off heat press, there are a few chemicals as well in the liquid form.

So, safety should be the primary concern rather than cleaning the heat platens.

Wear all the safety gear including hand gloves and eyeglasses.

That is for your own safety.

And we guarantee getting rid of melted plastic when you employ any of these five methods.

The good thing is, you can practice all these cleanup methods on your own without any issue.

Lastly, have the awesome shiny and new-looking heat platens even if it has been years after the purchase!