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Dry Polish Acrylic

Frederick

Registered
Joined
Apr 8, 2018
Posts
871
Location
Chatham
First Name
Frederick
Hi all,

I have just cast some Acrylic picture embeded pen blanks and can not take the chance of water entering the ends of the tube during polishing. I think Mark mentioned something on this subject a few years ago.I have a 3 wheel buffing system and the relevent waxes.

I would like to know how members dry polish their blanks and any tips they might wish to share.

Cheers,
Frederick
 

Pierre

Graduate Member
Joined
Sep 2, 2015
Posts
996
Location
Southern Central France
First Name
Pierre
I start with whatever grit is necessary to remove the tool gouge marks normally 180 and after 400 grit I use micromesh to 12000 grit using all of the grits; if there is still a dullness then I use white diamond, the Tripoli isn't necessary and it can in fact create gouge marks if some stray dust from the workshop sticks to the wax. Like Mark says the wax just dulls it and isn't really necessary for any protection on acrylic. Some people use a final T cut or brasso but I havent seen any real improvement having tried it.

One thing I do all of the time, is after each sandpaper usage, I blow the piece I have just used clean with compressed air; this ensures that the next time you use it there aren't any particles left to create sanding marks.

PG
 
Last edited:

21William

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Joined
Jan 21, 2016
Posts
1,618
Location
Dorset
First Name
William
The compounds recommended for plastics are on this page:

Plastic Polishing kit 4"x1" mops with Menzerna Compounds Three Stage | The Polishing Shop

If any of you ever need more mops or compounds get them from these folks. They’re much cheaper than most places and carry a huge range. When I’ve ordered stuff the cost of postage was very reasonable and it arrived quickly and well packed. No association, just a happy customer that’s used them four or five times.
 

Paul hd

Fellow
Joined
Jun 12, 2016
Posts
1,299
Location
Buckinghamshire
First Name
Paul
The compounds recommended for plastics are on this page:

Plastic Polishing kit 4"x1" mops with Menzerna Compounds Three Stage | The Polishing Shop

If any of you ever need more mops or compounds get them from these folks. They’re much cheaper than most places and carry a huge range. When I’ve ordered stuff the cost of postage was very reasonable and it arrived quickly and well packed. No association, just a happy customer that’s used them four or five times.

Agreed, it is a good company to deal with.

All my pen projects I now sand up to 1200 and then use the Beige and Yellow compounds in the above link.
I also have a White compound for finer finish , but I don't think it is needed.
They give a fantastic finish that lasts.
 

Les ELm

Executive Member
Joined
Oct 19, 2014
Posts
5,493
Location
Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
First Name
Les
I have always dry sanded Acrylic, Epoxy and Resin and works great for me.

Les
 

Attachments

  • How I Finish CA - Epoxy - Resin Pen Blanks.pdf
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  • #1D - Bloodwood, Wenge, Ash and Oak Castin in Plyester Resin.jpg
    #1D - Bloodwood, Wenge, Ash and Oak Castin in Plyester Resin.jpg
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  • #1 - Sierra Elmers and Thin CA.jpg
    #1 - Sierra Elmers and Thin CA.jpg
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Frederick

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Apr 8, 2018
Posts
871
Location
Chatham
First Name
Frederick
I have always dry sanded Acrylic, Epoxy and Resin and works great for me.

Les

Thanks Les

I have now made the pen which turned out OK. In fact I was so pleased with it that I am not going to wet sand again. I used to use Micro Mesh pads which gave a good result but are now very expensive and work better when wet. I now use wet and dry polishing paper, dry of course, down to 2500 grit followed by Beall buffing system. I didn't use the last Cabana wax though, dulled it a bit as meantioned earlier.

Thanks again

Frederick
 

Bill Mooney

Blind old git
Grand Master
Joined
Aug 16, 2014
Posts
10,997
Location
County Durham
First Name
Bill
I dry sand from 100 grit to 400 grit. I then use 0000 wire wool. I then polish with Farecla 300 & 500 cream.
 

Frederick

Registered
Joined
Apr 8, 2018
Posts
871
Location
Chatham
First Name
Frederick
I dry sand from 100 grit to 400 grit. I then use 0000 wire wool. I then polish with Farecla 300 & 500 cream.

Hello Bill

I never thought of using wire wool. I use 0000 on wood a lot but never thought to use it on plastic. I will give that a try sometime.

Cheers
Frederick
 
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