how to clean plastic that baked on outside glass of gas fireplace - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

dieselgg · 2011-01-02, 11:51 PM

Hi,

I don't know how it happened but somehow plastic got baked on the outside glass of my gas fireplace.

I was talking on the phone with my back to the fireplace and don't recall if I was fiddling around with anything while on the phone.

Anyways, I turned off the gas fireplace and the plastic is now baked on there ... how do I remove it. Regular household glass cleaner is not helping. The owner's manual mentions not to used abrasive cleaners on the glass.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

57 · 2011-01-02, 11:56 PM

You cannot use anything abrasive because any scratches could hamper the integrity of the glass, causing it to fail when hot - not good.

You should probably check with a place that sells gas fireplaces to see if they have any recommendations. I would think that a brand new blade in one of those razor scrapers could do the trick, but check with them first, since a scratch would not be good, as mentioned earlier.

How large is the spot?

ScaryBob · 2011-01-03, 01:05 AM

I would turn the fireplace on to soften the plastic and scrape it off gently with a glass scraper made for cleaning glass. Wear heat resistant gloves, safety glasses and protective clothing to prevent injury.

There is glass cleaner made for fireplace glass that should take off any remaining residue. It is very mildly abrasive but I wouldn't overdo it even with that.

Neild · 2011-01-03, 02:30 AM

There are also scrapers you can get for cooktops that are heat resistant and won't scratch. I think they are silicone based. You could heat the fireplace to soften the plastic, and use the scraper to remove most of it.

dieselgg · 2011-01-03, 11:39 AM

I applied a baking soda/water solution and soaked the residue with it when the glass was cool and then started scraping it off with my thumbnail. Most of it is off. I don't think the integrity of the glass was compromised. But I will follow everyone's advice and use caution in removing the remaining residue.

oldyellr · 2011-01-04, 01:54 PM

Use a razor blade scraper for tile or glass. Available at Crappy Tire for under $5.

MartinGStuart · 2011-03-02, 11:36 AM

If you take the blade out of an exacto knife you can peel the plastic off the glass, be careful, take your time, and don't ever point the blade at the glass, just slide it along the glass on it's side, never on edge. When you have the majority of it off that way, buy some glass cooktop cleaner. It's meant to be used on ceramic and tempered glass, and won't harm the finish. If you really want to be sure you have the correct product, get some white off, it's a specialty fireplace glass cleaner guaranteed to get the results you're after. Here's a link to their product page: http://www.rutland.com/productinfo.php?product_id=44

2011-01-02, 11:51 PM	#1
dieselgg Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 83	how to clean plastic that baked on outside glass of gas fireplace Hi, I don't know how it happened but somehow plastic got baked on the outside glass of my gas fireplace. I was talking on the phone with my back to the fireplace and don't recall if I was fiddling around with anything while on the phone. Anyways, I turned off the gas fireplace and the plastic is now baked on there ... how do I remove it. Regular household glass cleaner is not helping. The owner's manual mentions not to used abrasive cleaners on the glass. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

2011-01-02, 11:56 PM	#2
57 Moderator Join Date: May 2002 Location: Toronto, Rogers, 8300HD, eHDD, Panasonic TCP65S1, Denon AVR4310Ci; 8300HD, eHDD & Sony KDL40W3000 Posts: 50,297	You cannot use anything abrasive because any scratches could hamper the integrity of the glass, causing it to fail when hot - not good. You should probably check with a place that sells gas fireplaces to see if they have any recommendations. I would think that a brand new blade in one of those razor scrapers could do the trick, but check with them first, since a scratch would not be good, as mentioned earlier. How large is the spot? __________________ 57's Home Theatre (Latest equipment & photos) 57's Optimization Services (Home Theatre Optimization)

2011-01-03, 01:05 AM	#3
ScaryBob Veteran Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: The Dandelion City Posts: 7,133	I would turn the fireplace on to soften the plastic and scrape it off gently with a glass scraper made for cleaning glass. Wear heat resistant gloves, safety glasses and protective clothing to prevent injury. There is glass cleaner made for fireplace glass that should take off any remaining residue. It is very mildly abrasive but I wouldn't overdo it even with that. __________________ At 20 I had a good mind. At 40 I had money. At 60 I've lost my mind and my money. Oh, to be 20 again. --Scary

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2011-01-03, 02:30 AM	#4
Neild Veteran Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 2,013	There are also scrapers you can get for cooktops that are heat resistant and won't scratch. I think they are silicone based. You could heat the fireplace to soften the plastic, and use the scraper to remove most of it.

2011-01-03, 11:39 AM	#5
dieselgg Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 83	I applied a baking soda/water solution and soaked the residue with it when the glass was cool and then started scraping it off with my thumbnail. Most of it is off. I don't think the integrity of the glass was compromised. But I will follow everyone's advice and use caution in removing the remaining residue.

2011-01-04, 01:54 PM	#6
oldyellr Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 339	Use a razor blade scraper for tile or glass. Available at Crappy Tire for under $5.

2011-03-02, 11:36 AM	#7
MartinGStuart Rookie Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: South Western Ontario Posts: 4	If you take the blade out of an exacto knife you can peel the plastic off the glass, be careful, take your time, and don't ever point the blade at the glass, just slide it along the glass on it's side, never on edge. When you have the majority of it off that way, buy some glass cooktop cleaner. It's meant to be used on ceramic and tempered glass, and won't harm the finish. If you really want to be sure you have the correct product, get some white off, it's a specialty fireplace glass cleaner guaranteed to get the results you're after. Here's a link to their product page: http://www.rutland.com/productinfo.php?product_id=44