Finishing acrylics/resin blanks

[MikeyTn]

My technique for finishing the plastics has been to wet sand with micro mesh up to 12,000 grit. I spin my lathe as fast as it'll go and re-wet my sanding pads often. Then I press'em together and call them done. I don't use a buffer or any compounds or polishes and I don't use any wax on them. If I take my time I end up with a very smooth and glossy pen that looks as if it has a clear coat sprayed over it. I've read about dozens of other ways to finish the plastics but my way seems to produce the desired results. Do the other methods have advantages over what I am doing?

 

[stevers]

I go through wet MM to 12,000 then use Hut plastics polish. They usually look like a mirror.

http://www.woodturnerscatalog.com/store/Finishing___Pen___Project_Finishes___Hut_Ultra_Gloss_Pen_Polish___hut_ultra_gloss?Args=

 

[wdcav1952]

Mike, if you get the result that you want, then I would say don't change.

 

[RONB]

I follow Rule#1
If it's not broken don't fix it!
[][][]

 

[ed4copies]

Originally posted by wdcav1952
<br />Mike, if you get the result that you want, then I would say don't change.

<center><b>PRECISELY!!!</b></center>

 

[doddman70]

Mike I do exactly the same as you in finishing my plastics and it works great for me also. like everyone has said if it aint broke don't fix it[][]

Shane

 

[Aderhammer]

I used to turn high speed but i turned down a few steps so I'm in about the middle of my lathe's range. Even w/ excessive water i've burned some of the plastic and it's a hassle to deal w/.

 

[gerryr]

Originally posted by ed4copies
<br />

Originally posted by wdcav1952
<br />Mike, if you get the result that you want, then I would say don't change.

<center><b>PRECISELY!!!</b></center>

That might just be a first: Ed agreeing with Cav.[][:0]

 

[ed4copies]

Gerry,

We frequently agree, but we try to keep that our little secret, so don't tell anybody!!![][][][]

 

[Jim in Oakville]

I also agree, if you like what you get then don't change......I run my lathe at 500 rpm when I wet sand, all the MM sizes plus Novus 2, So simple a monkey could do it![:0], or so I am told...[]

 

[Blind_Squirrel]

I Beall buff my acrylics. It is hard to beat a three step process that leaves them glass clear.

It takes me about 2-3 minutes and they come out looking like this:

 

[Aderhammer]

^ what type of sierras are those? I've never seen them w/ that type of banding at the blanks.

 

[ldb2000]

They are "Tapa Pacifica" from woodpenpro ... I like the look of them over the other versions and at a very good price