My first acrylic pen!

[rfas]

I took the plunge away from wood and tried acrylic. Broke my first blank but the second try came out pretty decent. Sanded down to 12,000 grit a f I can see my reflection in it!

 

[studioseven]

Good for your first acrylic. I was so disappointed in my first one that I threw it away. Tip: After using sand paper, try going over it with micromesh. It will make it shine even more. Thanks for showing.

Seven

 

[magpens]

Looks pretty good .... but not quite finished ....

"After using sand paper, try going over it with micromesh. It will make it shine even more." .......

....... and THEN some plastic polish .... Meguiar's car polish also works pretty good .... but I use the Novus polishes bought at Exotic Blanks.

 

[rfas]

Looks pretty good .... but not quite finished ....

"After using sand paper, try going over it with micromesh. It will make it shine even more." .......

....... and THEN some plastic polish .... Meguiar's car polish also works pretty good .... but I use the Novus polishes bought at Exotic Blanks.

I used micro mesh down to 12,000. Guess I just need some plastic polish then!

 

[magpens]

I used micro mesh down to 12,000. Guess I just need some plastic polish then!

You DID use micromesh ? . Usually that brings up more of a shine .... not a real shiny shine, but enough to call a shine.

Maybe it looks better "in person". . The Meguair's medium car polish should bring up the shine pretty good .....

.... and then, if you want to go further, Novus 3 followed by Novus 2 should finish things off to a "T" ... but these are somewhat optional.

I do my polishing on the lathe with the power off, turning the spindle by hand as I rub lengthwise .... about 60 - 80 strokes with each polish with medium pressure exerted by fingers to get good coverage. . Finish off with a few lengthwise rubs with a clean soft cotton rag (old tee-shirt).

 

[mark james]

Ray, that is an excellent first acrylic. The lessons you learned, as well as the simple experience will be valuable. The comments above are excellent, and are given in the spirit of "We've been there and wish we heard that."

My thoughts: Did you wet-sand and create a slurry? I also use a Meguiar's Product - Plastx (as my final step). There are quite a few similar others, so I suspect most will do what we need.

FYI: I first use Abranet - wet sanding) Light touch, lathe on, vertical sanding, Lathe off, horizontal sanding - 240/320/360 (to start), 420/600/800 (if I'm being fussy). Then the Micromesh sequence (wet sanding). The Plastx x2.

Welcome to the world of different materials. A very large expanse.

Thanks for sharing your pen... I suspect I did not share my first few acrylics... Too many pieces!

 

[rfas]

Ray, that is an excellent first acrylic. The lessons you learned, as well as the simple experience will be valuable. The comments above are excellent, and are given in the spirit of "We've been there and wish we heard that."

My thoughts: Did you wet-sand and create a slurry? I also use a Meguiar's Product - Plastx (as my final step). There are quite a few similar others, so I suspect most will do what we need.

FYI: I first use Abranet - wet sanding) Light touch, lathe on, vertical sanding, Lathe off, horizontal sanding - 240/320/360 (to start), 420/600/800 (if I'm being fussy). Then the Micromesh sequence (wet sanding). The Plastx x2.

Welcome to the world of different materials. A very large expanse.

Thanks for sharing your pen... I suspect I did not share my first few acrylics... Too many pieces!

I didn't wet sand. Maybe that's the difference. I will definitely give that a try and see what happens. Thanks for the great advice!

 

[qquake]

With all acrylics, I wet sand through 600 grit; then use all six grades of 3M Zona (aka Tri-M-Ite) polishing paper wet; then use Meguiar's 105 and 205 polishes with a microfiber cloth. I'm very happy with the finish I get.

 

[Jans husband]

If you sanded down to 12000 grit, was that not micro mesh?
Use wet, and laterally as well as whilst the lathe is running.
Thats what I do- may not be everyone's preferred method
Oh- and Yorkshire Grit to polish

Mike