Acrylic Spa or Hot Tub Surface Care and Maintenance Spa Tec | West Michigan Spa Repair

Acrylic Surface Cleaning Instructions for Spas and Hot Tubs

Custom Installed, In-ground or Portable - Commercial and Residential

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Acrylic:
  The vessel surface or finish of most manufactures is acrylic which comes in sheets like plexiglass. This sheet is heated to make the acrylic pliable and is then vacuum formed to a prototype vessel, allowed to cool and removed for fiber glassing the back side along with blocking and supports. Then it's off to the pipe works department.
 The most important part of cleaning Spas and Hot Tubs is to thoroughly remove all cleaning solutions from the surface by rinsing with water and extracting with a wet/dry vacuum and repeating if necessary. The cleaners used are not meant to be part of your water chemistry when the vessel is filled for use and will significantly alter test readings and balancing procedures.

Before using C ommercial C leaners try:


Vinegar and Water
  • Mix one part vinegar to two parts water in a spray bottle to create an effective cleaner for an acrylic surface. The vinegar cuts through the dirt and oil and leaves a streak-free shine. Soak a sponge or soft cloth in the solution and wipe down the tub. Wear rubber gloves.
Bleach and Water
  • One part bleach with two parts hot water is an excellent cleaner and disinfectant for acrylic surfaces. Soak a sponge or soft cloth in the solution and wipe down the tub. Wear rubber gloves.

Liquid Dish-Washing Detergent
  • Use a generous amount of liquid dish-washing detergent, covering all grime or dirt deposits. Soak a sponge or soft cloth in detergent  and apply to surface. Let the detergent sit for 10 to 15 minutes, then wipe and rinse with water.

Acrylic surfaces can be scratched do not use Scrub Brushes, Scour pads, Steel Wool or Abrasive Cleaners like Comet, Ajax or Bar Keepers.

Never use window cleaner, acetone or ammonia based products on acrylic.

Do not use automotive type waxes on spa or hot tub finishes below the water level, water chemistry sanitizers used for maintenance will strip them off .

Acrylic Surface Scratch Removal:

 To remove fine scratches in acrylic finishes use an automotive type scratch remover polish found near the car wax section, always follow directions on container.
Removing deep scratches will require sand paper starting with a heavier grit paper ( Choose grit depending on the depth of the scratch) and following with finer grit to soften the sanding until automotive type scratch remover polish can be used to finish the job. Always sand with the scratch if possible not perpendicular to. Sand paper examples for a scratch that can be felt with a finger nail are a series of grits (150,400,600) followed by a a lot of elbow grease or buffing wheel with buffing or polishing compound.

  The use of cleaners not recommended for use on acrylic may cause serious damage. Repair or replacement made necessary by the use of inappropriate cleaners is not covered by the manufacturer’s warranty.

  Following these guidelines is a recommendation by our experience with acrylic surface cleaning. Please read this link:  Spa Tec's Web Site Information and Directions Disclaimer before proceeding with alterations to these directions.
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