Black Acrylic finish

[Lmstretch]

Over the years I have made several pens using black acrylic pens blanks, and love the way they look. However, many times if I look at the finish product in a bright light, I can still see scratches.

My finishing process is after I turn them to shape, I dry sand then down to about 2000 grit, then wet sand them using the micr mesh pads from 1500-12000 and then use magic juice from Stadium Pen Blanks, and have even put them on a buffing wheel. Unfortunately with the pure black blanks I can see small scratches. What have you done to pure black blanks to get a scratch free finish?

Thanks
Stretch

 

[TonyL]

Over 12 years ago when I started, I thought I was getting real good until are started turning very dark acrylics and using a 10x loupe. Your process is as good as any. try going to Meguiars 105 and 205 after the MM and see if there is an improvement.

 

[Lmstretch]

Over 12 years ago when I started, I thought I was getting real good until are started turning very dark acrylics and using a 10x loupe. Your process is as good as any. try going to Meguiars 105 and 205 after the MM and see if there is an improvement.

Thanks, I will give that a try.

 

[Todd in PA]

I would eliminate the dry sanding. I begin my wet sanding at 1200 grit.

Micromesh replaces deeper scratches with increasingly shallow ones. But all forms of sanding are going to produce parallel scratch lines that draw the eyes attention. Lateral are less obvious on a round barrel pen than radial.

A buffing wheel randomizes the sanding so that you don't get a bunch of parallel lines.

The best way to see the scratches is to hold the barrel under your chin with a light source above you creating a wide reflective hotspot.