Removing plastic from new appliances is an easy task and quite satisfying as well. But this easy task must be dealt with care as a small mistake can leave marks and scratches on a brand new appliance. So, how to remove plastic from new appliances without causing damage?
Many people resort to tugging and pulling the plastic film off appliance surfaces. However, it is essential to be careful to remove the film safely. And there are quite a few ways of doing so, including using scissors, an Exacto knife, and many more.
The plastic film protects the appliance until it is safely installed. And I have put this guide together to help you remove it. So, in this guide, I will discuss the ways and other factors relevant to the topic!
5 Easy Ways To Remove Plastic From New Appliances
There are many ways to remove the plastic covering from new appliances. This includes both basic and intricate methods. Check out some of these easy ways to remove plastic from appliances.
Way 1: Peel The Plastic Off
The most basic method of removing plastic from a surface is to peel it off. Take a look at the steps:
Step 1: Find A Corner Of The Plastic
The first step is to find one corner of the plastic. This can either be at the top or bottom of the appliance.
Step 2: Pull The Plastic Film
Pinch the plastic away from one corner, and it will release from the surface. Then, slowly pull the plastic film off the appliance.
Step 3: Clean The Surface
The plastic film often leaves residue on the surface after you remove it. Clean the appliance if the film leaves any residue on the surface.
Way 2: Use A Putty Knife
Another simple method of pulling the plastic off is to use a putty knife or a flat razor. Check out the steps in this method.
Step 1: Slide The Putty Knife Between The Plastic and Surface
Slide the putty knife through one corner of the plastic film and pull it outwards. Make sure that the putty knife reaches between the plastic and the appliance.
Step 2: Pull The Plastic Off
Pulling the plastic outwards with the putty knife will loosen it. Peel the plastic off the surface at a slow pace. Excessive pulling or tugging can cause the plastic film to tear.
Way 3: Use Scissors
Sometimes, the plastic is attached to the appliances in a wrapped manner. And pulling and tugging do not remove the film off the surface. In such cases, you will have to work with the mighty scissors. See the steps of this method below.
Step 1: Find A Plastic Film Corner
Look for an edge of the plastic film at a corner of the new appliance. Pull it slightly and make a cut with the scissors. Ensure that the scissor blade does not scratch the appliance’s surface. Otherwise, it will leave marks that will ruin the appearance.
Step 2: Tear And Remove The Film
With the help of the scissors, make a decent cut on the plastic film. Slowly and carefully remove the plastic from the appliance. Continue making cuts with the scissors if required.
Step 3: Clean Off The Residue
Lastly, if the plastic film leaves any glue or sticky residue on the surface, clean it. You can use dishwashing soap and a non-abrasive sponge or microfiber cloth.
Way 4:Rely On An Exacto Knife
Exacto knife is one of the easiest methods to eliminate the resilient plastic film that comes with new appliances. Check out the steps to remove the plastic safely.
Step 1: Make A Cut
The first step in this method is to make a cut on the plastic film with an Exacto knife. Make sure to cut the plastic lightly, as a deep stroke can damage the appliance’s surface.
Step 2: Remove The Plastic
After cutting the plastic with the knife, pull the film from the opening. Make bigger cuts if required and remove the plastic slowly from the appliance. However, do not use the knife at hand to get between the plastic and the surface.
Step 3: Clean The Residue
Take a washcloth and a bit of dish soap. Ensure the washcloth is not abrasive and will not scratch the surface. Clean the residue with soap and clean the surface with a microfiber cloth.
Way 5: Use A Hair Dryer
Another practical way of easily removing the plastic coating is to rely on a hair dryer. Look at the steps of this method below:
Step 1: Set and Apply Heat
Take a hairdryer and set it on the “heat” setting. Turn on the hair dryer and apply heat to the plastic coating on the appliance. This process will cause the adhesive under the film to soften easily.
Step 2: Peel The Plastic Coating
Once the adhesive softens, it is time to peel the protective plastic off. Find the edge of the protective coating. Make sure to safely and slowly remove the plastic from the appliance.
Step 3: Clean The Sticky Adhesive
Even though heat softens the adhesive, the plastic film often leaves a small amount as residue. Make sure to clean the sticky adhesive properly with a vinegar solution and microfiber cloth.
Mistakes You Shouldn’t Do When Removing Plastic From New Appliances
There are several mistakes that people often make when removing plastic from new appliances. And these mistakes often cost you dearly by leaving scratches and marks on the surface. Take a look at some of the top mistakes you should avoid.
Pinching The Plastic Too Much
One of the most common mistakes people make when removing plastic is pinching it too much. When the plastic film is pinched or tugged too much, it can leave scratch marks on the surfaces. These marks on the surface can ruin the look of the appliance.
Cutting The Plastic Too Deeply Or Close To The Surface
Cutting the plastic off with scissors or Exacto knives is an effective way of removing the film. However, people often make the mistake of cutting the surface too deeply with the Exacto knife. The scissor blade often swipes along with the appliance surface.
The surface gets scratched when too much force is applied to these tools. Not only that, but it can also damage the protective or outer layer of the appliance.
Not Cleaning The Residue
The plastic film often leaves a sticky residue on the surface of the new appliance. When the sticky residue is left on the surface, it attracts dust and affects the appliance’s appearance. Many people remove the film carefully but skip the cleaning process.
Use Of Wrong Cleaning Supplies
Cleaning the residue left by the plastic is a must. However, using the wrong cleaning supplies(1) will do more bad than good. Using abrasive sponges or brushes to clean the sticky residue will affect the shine and leave significant marks on the surface.
Removing Plastic Before Setting The New Appliances
The protective plastic film on new appliances aims to prevent scratches and marks during transportation and installation. The new appliance will likely get damaged or scratched if the plastic is peeled off before delivery or installation. Damage to the appliance’s surface will significantly affect its look and shine.
3 Tips To Remove Plastic From New Appliances Safely And Quickly
Removing plastic from new appliances is relatively easy. However, it is essential to make sure that you do the work carefully to ensure proper appliance health. Check out some tips and tricks to safely and quickly remove the plastic film from new appliances safely and promptly.
Tip 1: Ask Installers To Remove The Plastic
Many owners face challenges and often damage the appliance when removing the protective plastic. To safely remove the plastic coating from the new appliance, ask the installers or delivery team to remove it for you. They have the experience and can safely peel off the plastic in no time.
Tip 2: Do Not Leave The Plastic On For Long
Remove the plastic coating from the surface as soon as it is installed. While many think leaving the protective coating will protect their appliance, it is not true. Leaving the plastic on for a long time will make it difficult for the owners to remove it.
Tip 3: Focus on Residue Cleaning
Adhesive residue on the appliance will attract dust, dirt, and many more. This residue will ruin the appearance of your brand-new appliance. So, focus on cleaning the sticky adhesive as soon as the plastic is removed.
You can use dish soap, vinegar solution, etc., to remove the residue. Make sure to use (2)hot water for the adhesive, as cold water will not do the job properly.
Related Questions:
Should You Remove The Plastic From Your Refrigerator?
The plastic on your new refrigerator’s surface protects it from scratches during transportation or installation. However, the plastic should be removed once the refrigerator is set in place. Suppose the plastic is left on the refrigerator. In that case, it will accumulate dirt, dust, etc., over time, ruining the look of the appliance.
In addition to that, removing the plastic film becomes quite difficult if it is left on the refrigerator for a long time. Therefore, removing the plastic from the refrigerator after installation and before use is better.
How Do You Get Plastic Off Of Stainless Steel Appliances?
Removing the plastic from stainless steel appliances is easy. Start with finding the edge of the protective plastic film on the appliance. But you will have to ensure that the stainless steel does not get scratched when removing the plastic film.
Slowly wedge the plastic away from one edge of the surface and pull it carefully off the surface. Make sure that the plastic does not tear during the removal. Lastly, clean the stainless steel surface to ensure all the plastic residue is gone.
How Do You Remove Plastic From The Microwave?
The control panel or microwave glass is often covered with protective plastic. This protective film keeps the glass and panel safe from damage. However, removing the plastic is important once the microwave is installed. Find the edge of the film on the microwave and put masking tape over it.
Pull the tape slowly to wedge the plastic film away from the surface. Gently pull it upwards or downwards, depending on the edge you choose. Wipe the surface clean with a microfiber cloth and vinegar solution.
How Do You Remove Plastic Film From Sheet Metal?
The plastic film on sheet metal is difficult to remove and requires a decent amount of time. It is attached to the sheet metal with an adhesive for better protection. The best way of removing this plastic film is to apply heat.
Take a hairdryer and set it on heat. Apply the heat to the plastic film to soften the adhesive. Remove the film once the adhesive melts, and clean the surface to remove residue.
How Do You Dissolve Plastic Coating?
Small pieces of protective plastic coating often stick to the surface after peeling. And the best way of removing it is to dissolve the coating. To dissolve the plastic coating off surfaces, you will need a small amount of rubbing alcohol.
Take a small amount of rubbing alcohol on a microfiber cloth. The plastic film is located on one edge of the appliance. Rub the surface in a circular motion, and the plastic film will dissolve.
Bottom Line:
The protective plastic coating is put on new appliances to prevent scratches during transportation and installation. And this coating should be removed after the product is installed in your home. However, removing this protective layer from surfaces can often be a challenge.
Now that you know how to remove plastic from new appliances, I hope you can handle this easily. Make sure to clean the sticky residue properly after removing the plastic. Remember to pay attention to the tips and tricks.
References
- How to Remove Sticker Residue from Every Surface. (2021, September 3). Better Homes & Gardens. Retrieved November 24, 2022, from https://www.bhg.com/homekeeping/house-cleaning/tips/how-to-remove-sticker-residue-281474979530492/
2. Recommended way to remove sticker residue from a refrigerator. (2020, October 30). Samsung. Retrieved November 24, 2022, from https://www.samsung.com/africa_en/support/home-appliances/recommended-way-to-remove-sticker-residue-from-a-refrigerator/
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