We can flame polish both acrylic edges and polycarbonate edges, buffing Plexiglass and vapor polish polycarbonate or acrylic. The ultimate result of vapor polishing on acrylic is dependent on how ideal the initial machine was before polishing. 5 Reasons Why You Should Have a Greenhouse! As such, one must wear a breathing respirator or mask when performing this process. Luckily, refining the look of polycarbonate is easy as there are many ways to do that. The best way of sanding acrylic sheet is by wet-sanding it gradually using low grit sandpaper to high grit sandpaper until the surface appears smooth and free from scratches. Well, the vapor is comparatively cost effective in its specific applications. So, as you continue to sand, add more water to the surface. The polish works by passivation of the surface of the material. Can Polycarbonate Polishing Remove Scratches? It guarantees consistency as far as the production of high quality is concerned, which is vital since it enhances customers confidence. Then, you would have learnt how to smooth & polish acrylic edges. It refers to a polishing technique which uses specialty tooling for producing polished finishes directly from a machine tool. That's why I suggested a bunch of solvent based methods, to melt that layer. After sanding, switch to a buffing wheel. While on it, it tends to produce a relatively more translucent finish. I also tried flaming the edges, but it didn't seem to help much (and it's easy to haze the flat sides). In all this,therefore, you need to do enough research on what method best suits your application. If the edges are already polished and you want to glue them, try scuffing it with sandpaper as this may prevent it. How Can You Sand the Edge of Polycarbonate? Acme has a proud heritage of customer service and reliability since 1943. Sanding is perfect for polycarbonates that are in terrible condition,i.e., with deeper scratches/cuts. It is because of this that periodic polishing is beneficial. Yes. Remember though that this process shouldnt be performed with a blank mind. So this means that you need water as well as waterproof sandpaper. Heres a detailed guide on several methods of polishing polycarbonate that you might find useful: A quick and effective way to vapor polish polycarbonate is through vapor polishing. So make sure that you choose the methods that best suits and your need and application. From this guide, its quite clear that while polycarbonate is highly resistant to impact and heat, it is still susceptible to destructive elements. Dont vapor polish surfaces that still have tool marks or anything like that as polishing wont get rid of them? But in most cases, it is ideal when using on exterior surfaces, especially in larger polycarbonate components. But before we get to that we should point out now that once the edge of an acrylic sheet has been polished it cannot be glued. This is after it has been affected by dulling, discoloration, chemical erosion, scratching,etc. There are many plastics suitable for polishing. Yes, in fact it is very easy to get scratches out of acrylic material. Dont hesitate to send us an email if you want to know more about polycarbonate and acrylic polishing. With all thats been said in this guide, I know you still have questions on polishing polycarbonate. Your one stop plastics center for any brand, any shape, any product. Polishing acrylic edges is not difficult but, as stated above, the process can be time consuming and if you use the wrong tools you can severely damage the material. I use an air buffer to apply. When using a buffer though, do not run to fast nor hold in one place too long as it may melt plastic. Yes. Examples include flame polishing polycarbonate and flame polishing acrylic. Now, although its resistant to impact, the transparent and shiny gleam of polycarbonate will eventually start to dull with extensive use. The effect of this is that it causes a direct smoothing and polish formation along with the parallel dissolution of the upper layer of the polycarbonate material. I mean, it might be good enough for a rocket but I still feel like it ought to be better. It was not my impression that that was the ideal application of flaming. What are the Benefits of Optical Machining Polycarbonate? For this project, youll need the following items. Please note that sanding is equally efficient at polishing polycarbonate edges, it consumes lots of time and energy. Light buffing for the cut edge will also give you a smooth and clean finish. Click to solve our online jigsaw puzzles! And, as the melted surface solidifies it becomes clearer and glossier. Huge 1 lb. The first step in this process involves the application of the paste gently on the surface using a buffing pad. They should not be used on any kind of coated plastic, and may not work on other types of plastic; in fact, they may damage styrene or acrylic. Besides, it will also leave you much cleaner and shinier finish than before. So to smooth out serrated, rough, and rugged polycarbonate edges, buffing works best. It helps in transforming the matte finish into an optically clear finish also known as a high gloss finish. Even greenhouses and roofing sheets are made using it. It will help to maintain the general aesthetics of your polycarbonate items as well as ensure their longevity. A trick is to first test out a small section of the windshield before proceeding. Once the vapor is directed to the material, the work piece becomes visibly clear and smoother in just a few seconds. Use a 240 grit sandpaper for sanding the edge thoroughly. Now, while cutting may help you achieve the desired size of material for your project, it tends to leave you with a rough cut edge. This will also help to remove any formed debris on the surface. Well, these are the three most effective methods of polycarbonate material. So to buff, take the machine and apply a loose abrasive on the mops/wheels. You can use it to get a perfect result even on materials with sloped surfaces. PuDong, Shanghai, China. You need to observe the right procedure and precautionary measures. It helps in improving various applications of polycarbonate by enabling a greater view of the different interior with liquid presence. With the sanding polycarbonate technique, you can easily get rid of messes without having to worry about big repairs or replacing the polycarbonate. Because polycarbonate is softer than acrylic, sand the edge smooth with 320 grit sandpaper and a sanding block instead of using a power sander. 5th Floor, Dongchen Building, #60 Mudan Road, Also, as Ive already told you, certain fabrication techniques dont leave off a good finish. Not sure what all is in that, but it makes the final difference. Devon Copyright 2022 WeeTect. Then cut the sheet down to its finished size by trimming the edge with a router; this will also remove the harsh saw marks. Wipe the damp rag across the edge of cut polycarbonate sheeting to apply a glossy finish and to remove surface scratches. Also, ensure that you understand the process along anything else that maybe useful. These include to improve its optical clarity, to remove minor scratches and sometimes to get rid of erosion. Can Acrylic Polishing improve Light Transmittance and Clarity? Back to the topic at hand, you will need to use the right materials if you intend to polish acrylic edges with any degree of success after cutting. Just read the user manual to find out how your unit works and follow the steps given to the later. Our expansive warehouse and manufacturing facility combined with experienced personnel assure that you receive the service and prices that you deserve. If it is extruded, youll have to be particular in considering the pressure you use in buffing it since its a type that easily melts, hence forming a sticky, viscous edge. Polycarbonate as a material is known for its durability and excellent resistance to impact. The material then melts at the surface filling all the scratches and voids in less than a minute then quickly solidifies when the vapor is no longer present. Therefore, allow material to cool for approximately 10-20 seconds then continue giving more passes. Start with the coarsest going forward to the finest grit you have for a smoother finish. They are custom acrylic awards for a company anniversary celebration. Another thing, before switching the machine on, you need have a firm grip of it. To learn more about our edge polishing and beveling services, contact us. Depending on the depth of the scratch these wounds can be effectively closed by scratch removal solutions, but ideally you will want to avoid causing yourself the additional hassle. If you have access to one, a buffing wheel is a great option to consider using to give your work its opulent finishing touch. Also, if youre finishing a machined material, you need to ensure that your machine finish is squeak. 2 compound when polishing polycarbonate. You see when polished surfaces solidify, they could become too hard and crack. In the headlight polishing kits, the compound only gets you to an even light haze. This will help keep debris from building up. It may not display this or other websites correctly. My pencil rocket will have polycarbonate (Lexan) fins, first time I've worked with it. Solve all fogging problems for your product,best solution with our anti fog ebook. There are blades out there that are designed specifically for cutting acrylic and if you are able to get your hands on one of these blades you will have nothing to worry about. To smooth out surface irregularities particularly for medical components since it makes sure that no debris stick on the surface, particularly during sensitive procedures. Use the paste the way you use wax on your paint, rubbing it in a circular motion, rubbing it off, then cleaning the plastic with water or vinegar or a solution of both. Its transparency, high resistance to impact as well as to heat are the primary reasons for its popularity. Anything from wood violins with varnish to lacquered electric guitars. What is Direct Machine Acrylic Polishing? Being an extremely versatile material, acrylic can be used for any number of projects and in many different ways. WeProFab can do flame polishing, vapor polishing, buffing and optical machining, which can deliver optically clear plastics as you require. Chemical polishing works as excellently as vapor polishing. Polished polycarbonate materials should be stored in a well-protected, ventilated area with no exposure to harsh weather. t/a Cut Plastic Sheeting Besides, when fabricating polycarbonate, most methods dont give a smooth finish. Then you can choose to wet-sand the surface using sandpaper to smoothen the edges to enable you to make a start towards attaining a polished finish. Some examples include vapor polishing polycarbonate, vapor polishing Ultem, and vapor polishing acrylic. It increases workflow since it makes it possible for the contractor/engineer to make appropriate modifications to meet the required standards. It is expensive compared to the other methods that weve mentioned. If you look around you, most of the helmet visors, windscreens, eyeglass lenses, and windows, that you see are made of polycarbonate. Scratches, scuffs, chemical erosion, need to be cleaned out to maintain polycarbonate surfaces in good condition. The first step toward ensuring that your acrylic sheet will still look its best even after you have finished cutting, drilling and generally preparing it is simple: leave the protective film on as long as possible. Remember, if it's plastic its at ACME PLASTICS. They shouldnt have any dirt, debris, grease or oils as these can jeopardize the aftermath of the process. The surface needs to be clean before you begin this particular procedure. They come out like glass when done. If you are sawing by hand we strongly suggest you use a guide, as trying to level out a sheet that is cut at a gradient by cutting it again could end badly and levelling it out with sand paper will take you just short of forever. My edges have already been flamed, but it seems to be a dicey process. They contain a medium in which extremely fine abrasives (baking powder or similar to baking powder) are emulsified -- often in gradients like sandpaper. The most important thing is making sure that you are using the right products. Inc. All Rights Reserved. Polishing helps to smoothen edges and surfaces after fabrication. A less messy and inexpensive option would be to buff the polycarbonate surface. You dont need to expose the material to the vapor longer to get better results. JavaScript is disabled. Cut-to-Size Fluorescent Color Acrylic Sheet - Cast. However, you need to ensure that the material is fully dry before starting this project. After a few passes, youll notice that the edge is starting to turn clear. Plus, comparing the two, buffing gives a finer finish. Optical machining is a plastic machining method which produces a great transparent finish when producing a complicated surface profile. Sanding is the natural go to method in situations such as these, but in this case you will want to wet-sand the material, which means you will require water as well as waterproof sandpaper. Both materials can often be used for the, If you have some spare room in your outdoor space you should absolutely look into getting a greenhouse! It is a process performed right after vapor polishing to relieve any stress from the material. These three methods will work in the different application which has a certain degree of effectiveness above the other. Something that buffing or even sanding cant achieve. This means that you can use the material immediately after vapor polishing. Clean the surface and use a second clean rag and less abrasive No. This method is exclusively for straight or sloping sides and never for rounded corners. Chemically, acrylic cement wiped along the edge can do the same thing, but it's the cement that melts the polycarbonate, rather than a flame. Take your time and concentrate on accuracy not speed. Well, chemical polishing involves the use of a chemical polish to help replenish the look of a polycarbonate surface. Sawing or cutting acrylic will leave the edges rough and serrated, and you may be compelled to want to smooth these over. There are many plastics suitable for polishing. Keep the protective film as long as you can, Do not wet-sand edges with electric sanders, Start off coarse, and work your way finer, Take care when choosing cleaning & polishing solutions. Use an extra-light touch on polycarbonate; friction from too much pressure will damage the material by melting the surface. As such, care needs to be taken to ensure that polycarbonate surfaces stay smooth, shining and long-lasting. You will not want to use just one type of sandpaper, as after you have smoothedthe edges you will want to make a start towards giving it a polished finish. We can polish a wide range of plastics, such as polishing polycarbonate, polishing acrylic plastic, polishing Ultem, polishing Polysulfone, polishing Radel, and many more. That said, allow me to explain a few methods that you can use to polish your polycarbonate surfaces. This is especially true of applications that require optical clarity in materials. What I have right now is a light fog on the flat surfaces. The actual clarity will depend on the approaches. The Display Works Vapor polishing also known as solvent polishing is the more popular method of a glossier and smoother surface finish. Well, naturally, vapor polishing is the fastest of all polycarbonate polishing process. Can Polycarbonate Polishing Remove Yellowing? It also requires one to take certain safety precautions. There is a special chemical vapor that which you apply. When in doubt, go slower and lighter. The best way to do this is to use a spray bottle. It saves a considerable quantity of materials which would otherwise have been wasted. WeProFab is a professional polycarbonate and acrylic polishing supplier. When acrylic is mechanically cut, its often left with rough edges. Polishing polycarbonate is conceptually the same as sanding a surface smooth. So if youre sure youll be using it more often, then ask in DIY shops around you or shop online for something that you can afford. The many varied uses of polycarbonate have made it a ubiquitous material. There are different techniques of polishing acrylic surfaces that you might need to use depending on the geometry of the part. WeProFab can polish acrylic, polish polycarbonate, polish ABS plastic, polish Ultem, polish PVC, polish HDPE, polish Polysulfone, polish Nylon, polish Radel, etc. Prepare the sheet as described in the previous Step 3. But even so, it is still susceptible to elements that can make it lose its appeal. Does Optical Machining Acrylic Produce better Surface Finish? As I said to you earlier, polycarbonate is known to be a profoundly impact resistant material. It is done by hand polishing the material using a piece of cloth that has a special polishing paste. Yes, you can flame polish polycarbonate especially as a way of enhancing the aesthetic appeal of its final products. Therefore, if you want to attain a more stable and stress-free component, it is always ideal to be specific when it comes to the annealing cycle after machining. Just make sure that you use the right buffer and a suitable compound for this. To remove oil or grease from polycarbonates, rub the surface gently with a soft clothed damped in isopropyl alcohol. This will help ensure your safety and that you carry out the buffing process properly. Remember that you need to use the sandpaper progressively. Besides, surfaces solidify immediately after exposure. The purpose of polishing is to help restore the materials shine. For the actual buffing process, you will use a buffing machine. However, you most importantly need to ensure that the surfaces you want to polish are super clean. And this is done for reasons that I believe are quite obvious. And, the good thing is that you dont have to get rid of your polycarbonate surfaces just because of a few nicks and scratches. Please note that despite its disadvantages, vapor polishing is a very effective method of making your work piece clear, smoother and shiner. Also, the abrasive/polish/buffing compound you use will significantly define the results of the process. There are waxes, pastes and other solutions that can be used to bring a fantastically bright, polished finished to the acrylic but be careful when selecting which one to use as if you get one that is too abrasive you will end up ruining all the work you have done up until now. We can offer acrylic polishing services, which include flame polishing acrylic, buffing acrylic, vapor polishing acrylic, optical machining acrylic, etc. He studied economics, art and writing at Portland State University and the Pacific Northwest College of Art. But before that, lets define polycarbonate polishing. Its a clear acrylic box for displaying balls with polishing acrylic edges. It is good and economical for large flat surfaces which dont have very high optical clarity requirement, for example buffing Plexiglass or buffing acrylic. Excess buffing wheel speed, even with very fine rouge, can quickly create enough friction and heat to melt or deform polycarbonate. Polycarbonate polishing is the process of smoothing the surfaces of a polycarbonate material. Since we have full capabilities on plastic fabrication, we can tell you how to combine suitable features into your products according to your final applications. Sanding is cheaper and effective in its merit. Plastic optical machining could produce the best optical surface for most plastic materials for example, optical machining acrylic, optical machining polycarbonate, etc. Turn the switch on and carefully press the work piece against the mop moving back and forth to ensure even polishing. Chemical polishing polycarbonate Photo courtesy: CARVILLE PLASTICS. In advance, WeProFab has plastic optical machining for small and large plastic products. Any of these will work well, along with many others that are made. Doing so will destroy the optical qualities of the coated section. There are many applications such as polycarbonate screen lens, polycarbonate lens for prescription blue light blocking glasses, etc. Luckily though, polishing can help smoothen out cut polycarbonate edges to give them a smooth and clean finish. However, you need to be meticulous and also pay keen attention. Run your fingernail across the scratch before you start. bar. When buffing, do not hold the work piece in one place as you may end up destroying the mop. You see to achieve greater buffing results; you need to sand your work piece to remove deep scratches. Polished acrylic products are the most common clear parts. Buffing plastic is a popular method for almost all types of plastics which produces a smooth surface. Just a thought. This is because the vapor melts it causing it to flow thus smoothening out any roughness and clearing scratches. Here is the process of sanding polycarbonate: The first thing youll need to do is to prepare your work. Before you start the buffing process, sand the work piece surface first. To be honest, flame polishing doesnt work so well on polycarbonate. The way chemical polishing works is enough to fill up those cuts and scratches on your polycarbonate material. It will allow you to mist just the right amount of water on the surface. Polish your Polycarbonate Lenses QUICKLY and EASILY with our Polycarbonate Edge Polish Stick. You will notice that each area you spray gets clearer and smoother. It works by using solvent vapor which apparently flows over the entire surface of the acrylic material. Why is Annealing Cycle Important in Polycarbonate Vapor Polishing? WeProFab is a joint-venture company between WeeTect Material Limited and a Chinese local plastic fabrication manufacturer. Otherwise, the chemical itself and the fumes from melting the polycarbonate can be hazardous. However, a small scratch on polycarbonate material can affect its entire aesthetics. 40 Sawgrass Dr., Bellport,NY 11713 USA | Phone: 1-800-678-4768 | M - TH 9 am to 6 pm EST (Friday 9 am to 5 pm) | Fax:631-924-8375, Copyright 2022, OptiSource, All Rights Reserved, Firm Compound Results in Gleaming Polished Edges. To achieve a perfect finish, cut the sheet slightly oversized with a band saw or bench saw. The chemicals used in this process are usually highly toxic and combustible. WeProFab has the plastic polishing capacity to polish acrylic, polycarbonate, ABS plastic, PET, Ultem, Nylon and almost all of the other plastics. For applications where edges are not exposed, this is okay; however, for a finer, finished look to the sheets border, its possible to use a variety of polishing or beveling techniques. This chemical vapor is highly reactive to the chemistry of the polycarbonate surface. Chemical polishing is also expensive as well as complicated. WeProFab can custom your required plastic products based on your design drawing. It involves using a fire burning at a temperature of between 2700 and 3300C to melt the material and making it clear. Also, change the sanding technique from heavy in the beginning to light sanding towards the end of the process. If this is the case please bare in mind; the more cleanly the cut is made the less sanding will be required of you, it is that simple. Try a flame. To be precise, you should use wheel buffing. MDF, Medium-Density Fiberboard and Plywood are two popular materials that at-home DIY-ers and commercial builders commonly use. Some come with wheels in place of the mops. Buffing can help restore the clarity of your windshield. Once youve all these ready, begin by heating the chemical solvent in a kettle. As you should be using water during sanding, we vehemently suggest that you refrain from using electric-based tools, as that could end rather badly for you. You will want to begin with a grit of around 180, which is the type generally used for smoothing out wooden edges and surfaces. These products are often branded as "windshield polish." The sanding process can be time consuming but it will be worth it. Because its softer, start with No. Consider a very light abrasive like jewelers rouge, but note the manufacturers warnings. While you may be looking forward to getting your polycarbonate polished, making a mistake could cost you more time, energy and even money. Buffing helps to refinish newly fabricated polycarbonate surfaces particularly, It also helps to renew the look of damaged surfaces, Helps to create reflective polycarbonate surfaces, Buffing doesnt work effectively for severely damages surfaces. It involves moving of edges on acrylic sheets over sharp and fast-rotating diamonds. Acrylic naturally does not yield a better surface finish with optical machining compared to other materials such as polycarbonate. Sanding doesnt give a clear finish, so its not the best method when youre looking to achieve optical clarity. Also, you should sand the surface before polishing as the vapor works at a microscopic level. Polish out surface scratches with a specialized three-step polishing compound such as Novus Plastic Polish, which is available online. WeProFab has full experience in choosing the best polishing method for you. I was actually thinking about trying Future (which should fill the surface and leave it clear), but I don't know if there is downside to that.