A Clear Improvement

A Clear Improvement
Acrylic Shields Move Into the 21st Century

by Hollie Costello

For salon owners, bed and booth acrylics are a necessary evil. Though they may be one of the most important parts to a tanning bed--they are probably thought about only when broken. That is why taking good care of all acrylics--from cleaning to mending to installation-- could mean less hassle and less expense for a salon in the long run.

Forming a Bond

Few people realize the technology and innovation that comes with creating an acrylic shield that resists heat while allowing ultraviolet radiation to move through it. While explaining the cell-cast process is too detailed and too technical for one simple article, salon owners should know there are many options when it comes to purchasing the right acrylic.

Many distributors and wholesalers will form the acrylics for salon owners--with a bed name and dimensions, a new acrylic will appear by freight in two weeks or less. Those that sell the formed acrylics also can train owners and employees on the proper installation techniques and, in most cases, the proper care of their shields.

Truth be told, acrylic is a unique material--a strong plastic that when manufactured and fabricated to the correct measurements and depth can support up to 500 pounds while allowing ultraviolet light through to create deep, dark color on a tanner. It is delicate enough that small nicks and scratches could change UV light transmission; however, strong enough that the heat of 14 or more high-output bulbs does nothing to the underside of the sheet.

Acrylic is a large part of the indoor tanning industry. One of the oldest acrylic manufacturers in the indoor tanning industry is Polycast. Based out of Stamford, Conn., Polycast is now part of the Spartech Corp, and continues to manufacture its Solacryl® SUVT, a crystal-clear acrylic the company says is equal to the finest optical glass--and easily priced for sale.

"We have a 10,000-hour limited warranty on the Solacryl--a match for any warranty in the industry," says Angelo Acocella, marketing manager for Spartech Polycast. "A long service life means fewer replacements and lower labor costs--in other words, increased profits."

According to the company, Solacryl SUVT is a high-quality cell-cast acrylic that can stand continuous, daily use, as well as the wear and tear that comes with regular cleaning and the high heat-output of a tanning bed. It can be cut, drilled and shaped by conventional techniques and as a thermoplastic, can be thermoformed to any contour.

Spartech Polycast does not do any of the forming or shaping of the acrylic--it has a distribution network in place to maintain the high standards and level of service people have come to recognize with the company name.

"Solacryl SUVT was created to resist yellowing or hazing--properties caused by light, and other chemical reactions, that eventually allow less ultraviolet radiation through," Acocella says. The company measures UV transmission on every batch of acrylic, as well as carefully monitors sheet thickness and defects.

Dan Mahlmeister, president of Sterling, says his company is working in conjunction with Polycast on the SterlingCast 2000. SterlingCast carries a two-year warranty against breakage through the company--something he is betting will change the face of the acrylic industry.

The Kansas City, Kan.-based company does not manufacture the original acrylic sheet--that comes from Polycast--it does modify the shield to extend the life of the product.

"What most salon owners don't know is that if you try and strengthen a sheet by adding Lexan, high impact plexi, or other additives, the additive becomes an impurity in the product attacked by the UV radiation, the sheet rapidly degrades and UV transmission drops off as the sheet discolors," Mahlmeister says. "However, we have found a way to take a high-quality acrylic sheet such as Polycast's Solacryl SUVT and process it into a stronger, longer-lasting acrylic without inhibiting its UV transmission."

Sterling also works with salon owners, providing instructions and answering questions about acrylics as well as other indoor tanning equipment.

"We teach them how to extend the life our their acrylics and beds through proper maintenance," Mahlmeister says. The biggest mistake salon owners, managers and employees make regarding acrylic and acrylic life is not checking their equipment. Faulty fans or fans that are blowing in the wrong direction can seriously effect the life of the acrylic, as can bad bulbs or incorrect wattage.

"Salon owners need to realize that cleaning the bed does not mean just the part that their customers lay on. They also need to clean the inside of the bed regularly and check the equipment out for damage or change," Mahlmeister says. "We created SterlingCast 2000 to answer a need. I believe our warranty says a lot about how we feel about the product."

Casting Out its Lot

Innovative Plastic Technologies has been forming acrylic shields for more than 16 years--making it one of the oldest acrylic companies in the indoor tanning industry. Now they have moved to a new track and, for the last two years, the Waukesha, Wis-based company has formulated and marketing its own acrylic sheet as well. The company is going strong in this venture, thanks to its commitment to quality and its lifetime-UV transmission warranty.

According to Greg Cash, general manager of Innovative Plastic, by casting and forming its own acrylics, the company can work with industry leaders to create a stronger, longer-lasting product.

"Currently we form acrylic for virtually any tanning equipment," says Cash. "We believe our acrylic shield is more UV stable and has been tested thoroughly to last longer than others on the market."

He says making UV transmitting acrylic stable in the UVA range is not hard; however, getting UVB light through the acrylic and keeping it stable is more difficult. The Innovative Plastic warranty offers lifetime-UV transmission and one year breakage guarantee or the company will replace the acrylic free. "We publish and release data on the testing our acrylics go through--proving a lifetime of UV transmission," he says

Cash says there are several factors that go into how long an acrylic shield will last. First and foremost is support. Beds should not be sagging and the supports should not be bent or deflected. The thickness of the material is also important. Innovative has information collected over the last 16 years that helps them identify which beds need thicker acrylic.

"Innovative wants the acrylics to last as long as possible--still transmitting the correct amount of UV light," he says. "That reflects well on us and well on the industry."

Clean Up Your Act

Cleaning solution, by its very nature, is corrosive. It is created to kill germs and disinfect the beds; however, use of a cleaning solution not specifically designed for tanning beds and booths also could effect an acrylic.

Buck Carr, president of Sun Corp. Supply, says his company stocks more than 800 different variations of acrylic shields that are formed to bed and booth specifications and also stocks the cleaner that should be used for better maintenance and longer-lasting acrylic.

"We encourage all our customers to keep the acrylics clean and polished for the best UV transmission and a longer lifetime on the shield," says Carr. "Cleaners with alcohol or that include abrasive ingredients will harm the shield, possibly causing cracks in the face of the bed."

Cleaning only the top of the shield, however, does not mean the acrylic will last longer. The plastic shield should be taken off its supports and cleaned on both sides thoroughly at least once every three months and beds using higher UV-rated lamps should do it at least once every month.

"The higher the intensity of the lamp, the shorter the lifespan of the shield," says Carr. "Cracks should be noted and watched because they can be dangerous and costly."

According to shield manufacturers and distributors, cracks are the death of a shield. Not only are cracks dangerous to the person using the bed--they can cause larger breaks when applied with pressure--but also they are dangerous for the bed. Dirt and debris collects within cracks and cannot be correctly cleaned. In addition, lotions and cleaners can leak into the bed body causing problems with the lamps, and UV light can be caught in the crack, leaving the tanner with less color.

Sun Corp. Supply, which is based in Aberdeen, Wash., recommends changing acrylics at 3,500 to 5,000 hours but knows that acrylics can last much longer than that if cared for correctly.

"Use only cleaners recommended by the indoor tanning industry," Carr says. "Acrylics are too expensive to replace just because you saved money on a cleaner."

The Key to Long-Lasting Life

Most manufacturers and distributors say the key to longer acrylic life is paying attention. Look for cracks or bends; check for cloudy sections or burn marks and make sure to clean the underside, as well as the top of the acrylics, regularly.

"The truth is, light is the enemy of plastic--it degrades the life and causes cracks and breakage," says Mahlmeister. "That is why acrylics are such an important part of any tanning equipment."