Introduction:
By nature of the product, acrylic may be more desirable than glass for your particular situation. Acoustic Remedy can accommodate this option for a slight up charge from our standard 1/8" double strength glass for the non-UV blocking option and a larger up-charge for the UV-blocking option.
We often get asked when this option is recommended and our answer is there are three situations where this upgrade probably makes sense.
1.) If your instruments have a nitrocellulose finish which is prone to cracking with excess UV ray exposure you may consider the UV-blocking acrylic.
2.) If your instruments have a white spruce top which is prone to yellowing with excess UV ray exposure you may consider the UV-blocking acrylic.
3.) If you have small children who you'd like to protect shards of glass should the unexpected yet possible fall into the ClimaStand or ClimaCase with the 1/8" double strength glass.
NOTE: 1-3 are also achievable with our UV Blocking/Safety Glass if you do not want acrylic. In addition, the UV Blocking/Safety Glass does add some additional theft protection.
The Science of Light:
To understand the options and benefits of UV protection, you must understand the science of sunlight.
Radiation from the sun contains ultraviolet, visible, and infrared light. These three spectrums get defined by their wavelengths and measured in nanometers. One nano-meter equals one-billionth of a meter.
Visible light runs from 400-to-800 nanometers in wavelength. Any distortion of this spectrum will diminish or alter the appearance of an instrument. Outside of that range, it's necessary to block as much solar radiation as possible to preserve your instruments.
Scientists define ultraviolet radiation as light in wavelengths of 295-to-380 nanometers. Invisible, it can be blocked completely without any detectable difference in lighting.
An advanced UV glass coating that virtually eliminates UV radiation with minimal effect on the visible light spectrum and becomes a most effective weapon against instrument finish damage. The use of UV glass, in combination with humidity and temperature controls, offers powerful protection.
Advantages of Acrylic:
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Under high impact, it will not shatter and if it does break, it fractures into large, dull-edged pieces
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Easy to Fabricate
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Easy to Shape
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Lighter than Glass
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Stronger than Glass
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Highly Transparent
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Easy to Clean
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Easy to Maintain
How to Properly Care For Acrylic:
While there are some rules surrounding acrylic care and cleaning, it’s an easy material to maintain. When cleaning acrylic that has slight blemishes and dirt it is recommended to use a wet microfiber cloth and blot the material.
Additionally, it’s important to ensure particles and grit are completely removed from your cleaning cloth, as accidentally rubbing rough dirt or unwanted particles can cause acrylic to further scratch.
The gentler you are when cleaning acrylic, the better. Avoid using rough paper towels because they will not remove scratches and may accidentally cause them. Also avoid ammonia-based products like Windex or other home glass cleaners, because they contain harmful chemicals that will damage the surface leaving it looking cloudy.
When cleaning and maintaining acrylic the easiest and safest measure is to use soapy water or Novus products. These products will keep your acrylic plastic-looking polished and new with minimal effort.
