High-gloss kitchen splashbacks, the latest trend in interior design, are a colorful and contemporary alternative to glass splashbacks that offer a flawless and long-lasting surface.
The high gloss is achieved through the coextrusion of a layer of transparent acrylic over a layer of colored acrylic. Clear acrylic’s exceptional transparency lets the color shine through, giving the material a richness and depth of hue not found in standard acrylic.
Kitchen splashbacks made of Plexiglas Hi-Gloss acrylic can be installed behind sinks and work surfaces but not in front of a stove or other heat source. Due to its susceptibility to thermal distortion, acrylic should not be used directly behind a hob without additional heat protection, such as toughened glass.
High-strength double-sided tape and crosslinking silicone are used to secure high-gloss acrylic sheets to a wall or supporting structure to provide a faultless and long-lasting finish with no distortion to the sheet’s surface. The best-looking splashback results from carefully preparing the sheet and the substrate before installation.
Necessary: Don’t remove the protective film from the surface of the high-gloss acrylic sheet until after it has been properly mounted, as this film is there to prevent scratches and other damage.
Before installing, you may need to drill and cut the acrylic sheet to accommodate plug outlets, pipes, and other wall features that will detract from the seamless appearance of your splashback. Pre-ground twist drill bits developed explicitly for use with acrylic sheets are recommended to avoid cracking or shattering the sheet throughout the process. The drill bit must be carefully positioned and slowly driven into the sheet. Reduce the feed rate when the bit crosses over to protect the colored layer from being chipped, and consider using a wood block if stability is an issue. Splash some cold water on the damaged area to stop the acrylic from expanding after being drilled.
When cutting the sheet, a high-speed, non-vibrating machine is preferred so the edges can be polished back to a mirror finish. To reduce vibration and movement, circular hand and table saws should only extend a small distance beyond the sheet’s surface. Cutting high-gloss acrylic sheets with a jigsaw is possible by using a straight-tooth blade and keeping the shoe firmly pressed against the masking film. This will prevent the acrylic edge from becoming damaged and ensure a clean, polished look for the splashback. Acrylic that has been sliced can be cooled using regular tap water.
My advice: make sure your measurements are accurate before you start cutting.
After cutting your colorful high-gloss acrylic sheet to size, you may want to polish the edges and restore the splashback’s pristine sheen. Because of the extreme transparency of the plastic, the layer of color will be visible even in areas where the border may be visible, giving the splashback an almost glass-like aspect.
Wet sanding with three different grits of paper is required to remove sharp edges and polish high-gloss acrylic.
Start with 80-240 grit sandpaper for a rough surface.
• Next, use 400-grit medium sandpaper.
The next step is to use fine sandpaper (600–1000 grit).
Polishing wax, paste, or even commercially available vehicle polish can restore the shine to the acrylic after the sanding procedure is complete and the rough edges of the plastic generated by sawing or cutting have been smoothed out. Many companies that sell cut plastic sheeting will recommend a specific type of polishing wax or paste to remove scratches from the plastic’s surface that may appear over years of use. Use the polishing product and a soft cloth to buff the edge to a smooth finish. Regarding edge finishing, a buffing wheel is your best bet.
A scraper or file can remove excess material from hidden edges, preparing them for finishing.
After the sheet is ready, the wall or substrate can be readied for the high gloss splashback installation. Glossy acrylic sheets can be adhered to a variety of substrates.
• Gypsum board with a watertight coating
Waterproof chipboard coating
Covered Medium Density Fiberboard
• Mirror tiles that are firmly set in place
The use of latex paint over stone or concrete
•…and a lot more
A high gloss acrylic kitchen splashback requires a substrate impervious to water, level and consistent in profile, and devoid of debris. An essential element of installing an acrylic backsplash is preparing the substrate, yielding a better-looking finished product with a better-quality substrate. All surfaces and walls must be free of grease and dust and flat and dry.
The splashback installation can begin once the sheet and the wall have been adequately prepared and finished. The best practice for installing high-gloss acrylic on walls permanently, such as a kitchen splashback, will be covered in this article.
Expert advice: Before committing to a permanent installation, do a few ‘dry runs’ to ensure the sheet is cut correctly and the substrate is ready. It’s too late to unbound once you’ve bonded.
The back of the acrylic sheet should be cleaned with isopropyl alcohol or petroleum ether before the bonding materials are applied to the wall to eliminate any dust or grease that could weaken the adhesive. After that, we may start applying the glue to the base. I suggest using crosslinking silicone strips in between 19mm double-sided mirror tape. Strips of tape and silicone should be uniformly spaced, with just enough room to prevent the silicone from touching the video once it has spread. The silicone beads should be between 3 and 4 mm in height.
Once you’re confident the sheet is ready to be hung, place it at a 45-degree angle against the wall and push firmly and evenly. An accurate spread of silicone and a perfectly smooth acrylic surface are possible thanks to a spirit level. When the sheet is securely attached to the wall to your satisfaction, let it sit for 24 hours.
Remove the masking film when the silicone has dried to complete the splashback’s borders and connections with a watertight silicone seal. The splashback will be complete after another twenty-four hours while the seals dry.
One helpful hint: wait to peel back the plastic until you’ve completed cooking.
Once fitted, a high gloss acrylic kitchen splashback should provide years of trouble-free service, but the sheet’s surface should be protected to ensure its longevity.
Acrylic is an excellent and hygienic material for kitchens because it is simple to clean. High-gloss acrylic can be easily cleaned with a damp cloth, mild soap, and warm water. The soap and warm water dissolve the deposits and form a lubricating coating that shields the plastic from further wear and tear. The optimum state of the acrylic can be restored by wiping it clean with a soft cloth.
When cleaning high-gloss acrylic, there is no need for scourers, abrasive cleaners, or harsh chemicals. The acrylic surface will be scratched and damaged, allowing germs and mold to grow and causing the high gloss luster to fade quickly if any of these methods are used.
The likelihood of a high-gloss kitchen backsplash scratched after years of use is significant. The good news is that acrylic is scratch-resistant and easily maintained to look brand new. Polishing paste or wax can be used to eliminate minor blemishes and scratches. The same product used to smooth the sheet’s edges before installation can be used to remove minor scratches. Use the same method as you would for buffing the sheet’s borders with a delicate cloth, and pay attention to detail.
If the scratches are deep enough to be felt when running a fingernail across the surface, you should use coarse sandpaper of 600–1000 grit to carefully smooth the scratch before buffing it with the polishing product. Maintaining a plastic kitchen splashback will ensure that it retains its high sheen and contemporary look for many years.
An acrylic kitchen splashback can be maintained by regularly wiping it off with warm water, mild soap, and a soft cloth.
High-gloss acrylic from cut-to-size plastic suppliers comes in a wide range of colors, making it suitable for any kitchen design scheme. Many suppliers of high-gloss acrylic will even prepare the material for your installation by drilling holes, cutting to size, and polishing the edges. As we’ve seen, installing a high-gloss acrylic kitchen splashback is a great way to update the look of your space while also introducing a bold new color palette.
I hope you’ve learned anything from this brief tutorial.
Visit this site to learn more about custom-cut high-gloss acrylic sheets and how they can add a striking splash of color and a contemporary feel to your cooking space.
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