Following text is from the Bicron Corp. Site where it can be viewed 
in its full splendor.  It is included here for the local convenience 
of PIBETA collaborators only.


   Handling and Cleaning Plastic Scintillators
   -------------------------------------------
   
   General Information
   
   Bicron premium plastic scintillators are shipped with a
   protective masking paper, or, on request, with a clear
   plastic film applied to the scintillator surfaces. This
   protective layer should be left on the scintillator
   during all handling until just before it is wrapped
   with reflective light tight covers prior to
   installation in your detector system.
   
   These protective materials adhere to the scintillator
   by means of a low-tack adhesive which leaves little or
   no residue when the mask is removed. The adhesive is
   sufficiently weak so that, once it is removed, the
   masking tape will not stick to the scintillator again.
   
   The scintillators and light guides are machined without
   the use of standard cutting oils. Water is usually the
   only lubricant employed. After being polished, the
   scintillators and light guides are cleaned thoroughly
   to remove all residues of polishing compounds and
   optical cements.
   
   Handling Procedures
   
     1. As mentioned above, keep the factory-applied,
        protective masking material on the scintillator as
        long as possible. Avoid wetting the protective
        paper as this may cause the paper to come off and
        leave the adhesive attached to the scintillator.
   
     2. When handling bare scintillator, wear clean soft
        cotton gloves. If this is not possible, wash your
        hands to remove any oils. The normal body oils of
        some people can damage the scintillator.
   
     3. Protect the scintillator from exposure to most
        organic solvents and their vapors. The one
        exception to this rule is the lower alcohols:
        methanol, ethanol and isopropanol. Use only
        reagent grade alcohols. Isopropanol is preferred
        because of the less intense cooling that
        accompanies evaporation.
   
     4. Clean water and soapy water followed by a clean
        rinse are the best solvents for cleaning the
        scintillator, especially when cleaning large
        areas. A solution of about 10 grams of Alconox in
        a gallon of water is recommended. After water
        washing, the scintillator may be blown dry with
        oil-free compresed air or gently patted dry with
        clean, soft, non- abrasive cloths or paper towels.
   
   Alcohols are best employed to clean areas such as
   around epoxy joints. Avoid wiping motions where
   possible. Never use alcohols to clean holes bored or
   drilled in the scintillator.
   
   Sanding
   
   Remove turning lines by hand, rubbing at right angles
   using #240 grit silicon carbide waterproof paper with
   water. Follow with #400 and #600, also with water. Each
   step should be at right angles to the previous one
   until all previous lines are removed.
   
   Hand Polishing
   
   On small areas and holes, use polishing aluminas,
   finishing with a particle size of 9 microns. On a
   flannel cloth, form a paste with water. Rinse away the
   polishing alumina and use a general purpose
   non-abrasive plastic polishing liquid (available at
   plastic supply companies) for final cleaning. Use a
   clean, soft flannel cloth in this final process. Avoid
   using polishing liquids on drilled holes or heat bent
   pieces.
   
   Clamping
   
   For turning and milling, clamp lightly using suitable
   wood or plastic blocks to spread the pressure over a
   larger area or to avoid sharp pressure points. Avoid
   trapping dirt between the scintillator an other
   surfaces.