Hi every one!

I am now trying DSI setup, but I found its too difficult to move my fingers, the arcrylic surface is sticking, not smooth at all, and there is another problem that when the finger is moving, CCV will lost the blob, so I have to press harder to keep the blobs, but the same time, it becomes even difficult to move my fingers!!!

Please help me about these problems, I want to have a smooth and reliable feel, thank you very much in advance!!!

Alex

Treat the surface of your acrylic with a spray-on wax. Meguiars makes a spray wax and cleaner that can be used to treat plexi windshields. Works like a charm - frictionless surface! Other companies make spray waxes as well - notably Pledge.

ETA: be sure to read the directions and warnings on the back of the bottle to make sure that it is safe to use on your plexi (acrylic) surface. Products like Rain-X, which work awesomely with glass touch surfaces, will ruin acrylic. Avoid using any product that contains alcohol, even Windex. Generally, it’s best to test your surface treatment on a piece of scrap acrylic. You can buy a small 12"x12" piece at Home Depot for like $3.

ETA2: turns out that there is a Rain-X product that works on acrylic. It’s a special formulation called Sea Clear, used in marine (boat) environments. I’m not sure where you can buy it and I couldn’t find it on their website but I’m sure you can locate it on the interwebs somewhere.

Thank you so much Coffeegod!!!

I will have a try!!

Alex

i have the same problem
i wonder all dsi setups use wax?
i have tried oil but it got dirty after a while. wax will be dirty too any other solutions?
if we would have had these problems why all members prefer DSI ? is it only for fiducials? or there are other reason?
is it necessary to have ftir effect in DSI setups too? or we can use fingers ir reflection shadow and no need to pressure ?

Oil will definitely attract dirt. A wax cleaner helps to lower the coefficient of friction on the surface, but it shouldn’t leave an oily residue and as such shouldn’t attract dirt. Touching a piece of clear, smooth acrylic with your bare fingers will leave fingerprints no matter what. However, treating the plexi beforehand will make wiping those prints off much easier.

The trick is to experiment and see what works best for your setup and intended use. But as with everything else YMMV, and always remember to read the label to make sure that you do not use something that might damage your surface.

Hi Coffee, where do you get that teflon spray in the US (California to be specific). I am so eager to try it out so mail order is OUT of question

And of course, thanks!!!

Hi coffee, checked out Meguiar’s website, they seem to have 3 wax sprays but none of them mention plexi glass

http://www.meguiars.com/estore/product_list.cfm?sectionname=Consumer%20(Meguiar's%20Brand)>Auto%20Paint%20Care>Car%20Waxes>Spray%20Car%20Waxes&sectionID=11503

can u tell us the name of the wax brand you were referring to?

Thanks

@ pylin: you can get Dupont brand Teflon spray at Lowes or HD for like $7 a can.

@ citiguru: the combination of Meguiars products I was talking about was Plastx Clear Plastic Cleaner and Polish followed up with Quik Wax. You can find them on the Meguires product page under Boat/RV care.

Thanks Coffee. I went to HD, but could not find anything. I will go to Lowes tomorrow.

Ace Hardware has it on their website so if you have one of those in your area check there too.

http://www.acehardwaresuperstore.com/du-pont-performance-dry-lubricant-p-68407.html?ref=42

It’s a dry lubricant and should be perfect for what you’re looking to do. Won’t attract dirt or dust.

And I’m positive that HD carries this or a similar product. You might try another store.

i found the polish and cleaner but there are 3 different products with the name Quick Wax, the one under RV/Boat Item # M5916 says do not use on Glass, do u think that applies to acrylic as well?

Also what is this other solution at Ace Hardware (teflon) is this an all in one product, wax, polish and cleaner? or is this for something different?

Thanks

I found this at OSH, so if you are in California, you can buy at OSH. It does not say it has teflon, but it says it has PTFE, which is the real name for teflon (teflon is just a brand name)

After applying it to acrylic, you need to wait for about at least two hours for it to dry. Once it is dry, it forms a thin, very thin, film on the acrylic. Here is what I did:

1. Spray it on the acrylic at a couple of spots
2. Use soft paper like napkin to spread it on the surface, until all surface are covered
3. let it dry for about two hours, then you will “feel” (not see) a thin film on the surface.

how is this different from what coffee was recommending?

I think this is the same as Coffee recommended, it is made by Pledge.

is this what you used? how was it for you? did it cause any blob issues and is the surface very smooth?

also this is it right?
http://www.triflowlubricants.com/products/superiorlubricantaerosol.html

from what i can tell this is different than what coffee suggested since this isnt a wax, it also doesnt mention anything about it hardening, so let me know if i have the wrong product.

Thanks again

Thank you Pylin, I will have a try about “Teflon”. Thank you !