How to finish turned acrylic?

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540 posts in 5242 days

05-13-2008 10:44 PM

Topic tags/keywords: woodturning acrylic finishing pens

Hey all,

I have a customer that wants 9 pens in an acrylic that matches her school colors. Being a woodophile I have not yet turned acrylic. I understand that the tools need to be very sharp so I hit the Tormek and went to town. It was fun to turn and then I realized that I haven’t figured out how to finish them yet. I did some research and found a source for acrylic sanding pads up to 12000 grit. Does anyone add any finish to this mix or is sanding to 12k enough. Coming from traditional wood turning I feel obligated to add something for protection, but I guess this isn’t necessary. Just looking for some reassurance since this is for a customer.

-- The Hand Tool School is Open for Business! Check out my blog and podcast "The Renaissance Woodworker" at www.renaissancewoodworker.com

7 replies so far

tenontim home \| projects \| blog 2131 posts in 5198 days #1 posted 05-14-2008 12:30 AM	You might pick up some canopy polish from your local civil airport or from an on line aircraft supply house http://www.chiefaircraft.com/airsec/Aircraft/Chemical/AcrylicCleanerPolish.html
Grumpy home \| projects \| blog 26811 posts in 5305 days #2 posted 05-14-2008 12:50 AM	I can’t see why some EEE cutting paste & shellawak would not work but have not turned acrylic. -- Grumpy - "Always look on the bright side of life"- Monty Python
darryl home \| projects \| blog 1795 posts in 5780 days #3 posted 05-14-2008 04:35 AM	the acrylic sanding pads should give you everything you need. I think there is some plastic polish out there that can be used as well. I haven’t done many acrylics do I don’t have all the details. The few i have made were only sanded to 220 grit and then hit with 0000 steel wool.
trifern home \| projects \| blog 8134 posts in 5221 days #4 posted 05-14-2008 04:48 AM	I have used car wax with good results. -- My favorite piece is my last one, my best piece is my next one.
runngt home \| projects \| blog 120 posts in 5193 days #5 posted 05-16-2008 10:04 PM	also I always wet sand acrylic and have the micro mesh sanding pads. Like you I seem to always want to polish, but it’s not needed. runngt -- It seem's I just make scrap wood and saw dust most of the time !
Chris home \| projects \| blog 1880 posts in 5445 days #6 posted 05-16-2008 11:05 PM	I have been told to sand up to a high grit… 1200 or so then finish with plastic polish or some folks use CA glue…. -- "Everything that is great and inspiring is created by the individual who labors in freedom" -- Albert Einstein
rikkor home \| projects \| blog 11294 posts in 5328 days #7 posted 05-16-2008 11:14 PM	I have done several, and if you polish to 12000 at high speed, with a light touch, nothing else is needed.

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How to finish turned acrylic?

7 replies so far

Have your say...

Woodworking Skill Share Your woodworking skills are displayed for several lifetimes in each project. Have you had to compromise your project...

Woodturning On the lathe, by the lathe: do you have questions? frustrations? tips? This forum is for all the woodturners out there.

Woodcarving Relief, 3D, chip-carving, whittling; carving knives, chisels, pocket-knives, power tools. If you are a carver or want...

Scrollsawing Intarsia, fretwork, intricate design cutting and more! This forum is for scrollsawers: share your tips, ask questions...

Joinery Have a question? a tip/strategy to share? a challenge, perhaps? Share your "joinery" discussion here.

Finishing The finish, whether paint, wax, stain, or something else, can make or break a project. What are your tips and questio...

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Power Tools, Hardware and Accessories Are you unsure of which tools, or hardware, you need, or which brands to buy? Investing in tools and hardware can be ...

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Hand Tools Wood, your hand tools, you and a little know-how. Share your questions, tips and strategies for the use and maintenan...

Jigs & Fixtures Using a jig is like having a couple extra hands helping out. Show us your jigs, share your tips, strategies and, of c...

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Woodworking Skill Share
Your woodworking skills are displayed for several lifetimes in each project. Have you had to compromise your project...

Woodturning
On the lathe, by the lathe: do you have questions? frustrations? tips? This forum is for all the woodturners out there.

Woodcarving
Relief, 3D, chip-carving, whittling; carving knives, chisels, pocket-knives, power tools. If you are a carver or want...

Scrollsawing
Intarsia, fretwork, intricate design cutting and more! This forum is for scrollsawers: share your tips, ask questions...

Joinery
Have a question? a tip/strategy to share? a challenge, perhaps? Share your "joinery" discussion here.

Finishing
The finish, whether paint, wax, stain, or something else, can make or break a project. What are your tips and questio...

Designing Woodworking Projects
Looking for information on designing your projects? Having difficulties reading project plans? Looking for help with ...

Power Tools, Hardware and Accessories
Are you unsure of which tools, or hardware, you need, or which brands to buy? Investing in tools and hardware can be ...

CNC Woodworking
Questions and answers about CNC machines, tooling, best practices, and projects.

Hand Tools
Wood, your hand tools, you and a little know-how. Share your questions, tips and strategies for the use and maintenan...

Jigs & Fixtures
Using a jig is like having a couple extra hands helping out. Show us your jigs, share your tips, strategies and, of c...

Wood & Lumber
Different wood requires different woodworking strategies - from cutting to finishing. Share your tips and challenges ...

Safety in the Woodworking Shop
Before you pick up those woodworking tools, take the time to ensure your safety in the shop! Eyes, ears, fingers, and...

Focus on the Workspace
Are you looking for or do you have tips to share regarding the workshop? Storage, equipment placement, efficiency, an...

Sweating for Bucks Through Woodworking
If you are selling your work, then you have entered a woodworking dimension with added complexity and stress. If you...

Woodworking Trade & Swap
All of us are holding onto treasure in our shops, that we either don't need, don't want, or could part with if presen...

LumberJocks.com Site Feedback
Connect with the Website Gurus and tell us what you are thinking, suggestions, problems, functionality issues, and so...

Coffee Lounge
Need a break from all the standing and wood dust? Chat with your Forum Friends about their projects, their life, thei...