Best way to buff out scratches in acrylic

[Joe DeSantis]

Best way to buff out scratches in acrylic

Hello,
Today I attempted to buff out scratches in acrylic w/ the rainbow lifeguard acrylic scratch repair kit. It took out the deep scratches but now I am left w/ a 1ft x 1ft square which is hazy. Basically the kit includes varying grades of super fine sandpaper. They are numbered from 3000 to 12000 (12000 being the finest). The directions tell you to start out w/ the coarser grit paper which wraps around a foam block and slowly buff out the scratch goin going one direction (horizontal). You then switch to a finer grade paper and go the other direction (vertical). You repeat the process with finer and finer paper each time (switching directions each time you switch paper), until the acrylic is crystal clear again (or so they say!).

Am I doing something wrong, or is there another product which works better?
Has anyone performed this process before who could provide any info?
Are there any good threads which deal w/ this issue?

Thanks for any input....... it is greatly appreciated!

 

[Len]

I don't have much personal experience here, Joe, but I do recall this thread:
http://reefs.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=35478

 

[Russ1]

I use the kit from Seavisions. No problems! Russ

 

[PeeJ]

are you familiar with novus products?

i work at an engraving shop, and we engrave acrliuc all the time...we have come accross novus poshing products which works super on fine scratches that make up the "haze" you are seeing.

if you can find some, id be willing to bet itd clean it right up

 

[taikonaut]

>... It took out the deep scratches but now I am left w/ a 1ft x 1ft square which is hazy.

This makes me feel that you did not do the sanding correctly. First of all, you need to work with an increasingly larger area when sanding, to eliminate a sudden gradient on the surface. But anyway, the way to get the haze out is with very fine sandpaper (finest MicroMesh), or with an acrylic polish.

 

[Joe DeSantis]

Is th micromesh finer than the #12000 "crystal pad" that comes with the rainbow lifeguard kit? Also, is the novus product a spray or something?

Thanks for your input!

 

[Anonymous]

You also might want to fill it up with water and see how it looks. Mine was very hazy, but when I gave up and filled it up anyway, most of the haze vanished underwater.

 

[Joe DeSantis]

That would be nice but unfortunately it is on the outside. :roll: :roll:

 

[PeeJ]

novus....it is a "goo". it works wonders. seriously...i woulndt even try to resand. this is serious stuff.

 

[taikonaut]

>... That would be nice but unfortunately it is on the outside.

Well, just fill your house with water, and sleep inside the tank!

Seriously, I feel all you need is an acrylic polish and some elbow grease, and you will be happy about your work.