finishing acrylics

[bensoelberg]

I am fairly new to turning and so far have been using a CA finish on the pens that I've made. This has worked out well on wood, but now I'm trying an acrylic blank for the first time. Do you put a CA finish on that as well, or just MM up to 12000? Any tips would be appreciated.

 

[truckfixr]

I use MM to 12K and then use Meguiar's PlastX polish to bring out the gloss.

 

[renowb]

I have used ca over acrylic to fill in low spots or little pits, etc.

 

[Simplex]

I use MM to 12K and then use Meguiar's PlastX polish to bring out the gloss.

Ditto. I also make sure that I apply the polish with a microfiber cloth. You can also use Hut Ultra Gloss plastic polish to get the high gloss finish you're looking for. Sand lightly, too.

 

[Wildman]

I do a damage assessment, only if necessary with lathe off, hand sand with either 320 or 400 grit sand paper before going to micromesh. I wet sand and polish with micromesh (1,500 thru 12,000). Then apply Hut Ultra Pen/Plastic Polish. Penn State sells a product called One Step Plastic Polish.

Some folks use Brasso or good variety of car wax.

Am sure there are other plastic polishes on the market too. I know Hut Ultra or Penn State's One Step products work well, little goes a long way.

Never thought about using CA as a finish on acrylics.

 

[randyrls]

Never thought about using CA as a finish on acrylics.

Aluminite (sp?) sometimes doesn't have the deep gloss that people love in an acrylic, So sometimes it is necessary to CA a topcoat finish onto the pen.