tl;dr version:
- consider using protective paper when working with adhesives,
- clean up spills and stains, and
- avoid using spray adhesives on the Textiles working surfaces.
Long version:
Hi everyone. At the bottom of this post are photos of “gunk” I found on the big table in Textiles recently. It appears to be a remnant of some kind of adhesive that was applied on the table and the cutting mats.
Because I’ve cleaned this gunk several times already, I thought this would be a good reminder of what we should do to avoid potentially ruining each others’ projects – this stuff could easily transfer to the next person’s work.
Here are a few suggestions:
- If you’re using adhesives in Textiles, consider using a layer of paper/cardboard or something similar to prevent the work surface from picking up the adhesive. We have rolls of sturdy paper attached to the ends of tables in the Woodshop, and will be adding one to the Textiles table as well. Until that is ready, you can get the paper from the Woodshop (just don’t forget to put on safety glasses as you enter).
- One going theory is that this is adhesive overspray – if that’s what you’re using, please consider doing so outside or at the very least using the craft paper to protect the working surface.
- If a mess still happens and your adhesive is water-based and easy to clean up, please do so immediately after application using the soap and water available in the bathrooms. I do this all the time when using water-based contact cement with leather.
- If a mess still happens and your adhesive needs a solvent to clean up – as was the case with the gunk I cleaned up – and you don’t have a cleaning solution, you can find some isopropyl alcohol in squeeze bottles near the resin printers.
- If you need to use a spray adhesive, please do so outside if at all possible. If you have to do it indoors, use the protective paper mentioned above.
If any of the above is proving unworkable or isn’t making sense, drop me a line and we’ll come up with a better solution.
