a method for cleaning glass from a molded item includes applying hydrofluoric acid to the molded item . the molded item can be an injection molded item made from a glass filled polymer material . for example , hydrofluoric acid can be applied by immersion , spraying , exposure to vapors , or brushing . the molded item can be friction cleaned , e . g ., scrubbed , and / or cleaned via oxygen plasma prior to the application of hydrofluoric acid .