MaylonHarvey
Member
When wet sanding with the nine micro mesh grits on a CA finish or acrylic, how long do you do each grit? I've heard to a count of 20?? How long is enough?
How long???
- Thread starter MaylonHarvey
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PenWorks
Member
Welcome to IAP Harvey. 
Man 9 wet micro meshes with a 20 count on each, my fingers would be constantly wrinkled :biggrin: If you make a lot of pens, you might want to invest in a buffer. I dry sand to 600 then go to the buffer and have excellent results. If you don't have a buffer, I would think you could get by with half the grits and half the count. Let your eyes be your judge when your done.
Man 9 wet micro meshes with a 20 count on each, my fingers would be constantly wrinkled :biggrin: If you make a lot of pens, you might want to invest in a buffer. I dry sand to 600 then go to the buffer and have excellent results. If you don't have a buffer, I would think you could get by with half the grits and half the count. Let your eyes be your judge when your done.
Mr Vic
Member
Harvey, I start my CA finish with 800 wet and run thriugh 1000, 1500 and 2000 to knock down the roughness. I then start with the micromesh and run through all the grits. I cut mine in 1" wide strips and store in a water filled plastic container. I have shop light behinfd and in front of my lathe which are parellel to the piece turning. The cause a double line reflection when polishing and I watch how sharp they get as I sand. Typically I use the finer grades to about the count of five with a light pressure and my speed between 1200 and 1400. I used to sand at about 3800. I run a similar process on Acrylic. Honestly it just takes a bit of trial and error and finding what works for you. I can't count the times I sanded just a touch more to clean an imaginary flaw onkly to go throught the CA and have to start the process all over..
rherrell
Member
I do exactly what Anthony does, dry sand with 600 and buff. If at all possible I don't start any lower than 400. That's for synthetics and CA. Bare wood is usually Mylands SS, 400, 600, MM all grits, apply CA.
As for how long, I really don't keep track but if I HAD to give a time I guess 15 seconds per each grit of MM would be close.
As for how long, I really don't keep track but if I HAD to give a time I guess 15 seconds per each grit of MM would be close.
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I do each grit until I'm bored and move onto the next one...about eight seconds! 
Skye
Member
I want to say I do it more by ear than anything. Never really thought about it.
gketell
Local Chapter Leader
I dry sand to 400, then use 0000 steel wool, then 4000 MM and 6000 MM and switch to buffing wheels chucked in my drill: red rouge, white diamond (both from Tap Plastics) followed by Flitz metal polish. For sanding past 400 I do about 10 seconds each grit.
I've attached a jpg that shows a spread sheet of the various sanding grits of different things. I hope it helps.
GK
I've attached a jpg that shows a spread sheet of the various sanding grits of different things. I hope it helps.
GK
Attachments
Ligget
Member
I use my hands, much safer! lol
ironman
Member
re
if you use micromesh you need to wet sand or it heats up and wears away the abrasive and a 10 second count is good
if you use micromesh you need to wet sand or it heats up and wears away the abrasive and a 10 second count is good
stolicky
Member
Especially if you have long hair!
Oh, yeah, the topic at hand....
I do it based on feel and sight. I usually don't use dry sandpaper at all on plastics. On the other hand, I usually don't use MM on wood.
I have discovered that a round of polishing compound (I use the $1.77 turtle wax variety) really creates a shine on plastics and CA finishes. I don't have a buffer; maybe someday.