PLASTIC POLISHING

Remove scratches out from Plexiglass, Polycarbonate Sheets

Plastic Polishing

Plastic polishing is a finishing process that enhances the aesthetics and durability of polycarbonate sheets or Plexiglas acrylic sheets edges, providing a smooth and polished surface.

What Is Polishing？

Polishing is the edge treatment work buff scratches from polycarbonate sheets, PMMA sheets and makes the surface smooth and shiny by rubbing it or applying a chemical treatment.
The polycarbonate sheet unpolished side seems rough and uneven. When observed and magnified the surface, it likes a succession of uneven small hills. Polishing is the process of rubbing hills until they are smooth and flat. This procedure improves the sheet’s surface brightness. Polishing can minimize the amount of diffuse reflection.

The strength of polished products can be higher than their unpolished counterparts owing to the removal of stress concentrations present in the rough surface during the polishing process. These concentrations take the form of corners and other defects, which magnify the local stress beyond the inherent strength of the material.

Types Of Plastic Polishing

Sanding: brings a dull edge back to a smooth matte finish.
Flame Polishing/Fire Polish Acrylic: a quick and cost effective way to polish acrylic with a torch.
Buff Polishing: a great method for polishing a sanded acrylic edge using a buffing wheel and rouge polish. More time consuming than flame polishing but is recommended on thicker gauges of acrylic and for furniture applications.
Machine Polishing: for multi-unit projects, machine polishers (also known as ‘edge finishers’) can be employed to polish multiple edges at once. This is a cost effective and flawless way to achieve flat, glossy edges.

Polycarbonate Polish VS. Acrylic Plastic Polish

Flame polishing is effective for materials like acrylic. It is not suitable for polycarbonate due to the unique properties of polycarbonate.

Polycarbonate has a higher melting point compared to acrylic, and it is more prone to thermal degradation. When exposed to an open flame for flame polishing, polycarbonate can start to break down. The heat from the flame can cause the polycarbonate to discolor, develop bubbles, or even crack.

Additionally, polycarbonate is known for its excellent impact resistance and optical clarity. Flame polishing may compromise these properties increasing internal stresses or altering the molecular structure of the material.

Effective Polishing Methods for Plastics

If a smooth and polished finish is desired for polycarbonate, other methods such as mechanical polishing, chemical polishing, or using specialized polishing compounds are more suitable. These methods can help achieve the desired surface finish without the risk of damaging the material through heat-induced degradation.

Polishing is a finishing technique used on polycarbonate and other transparent plastics to improve their surface optical appeal.

Polished Plastic Advantages

1. Enhanced Aesthetics: Polished plastic surfaces have a glossy and smooth finish.
2. Improved Durability: The polishing process can strengthen the surface of the plastic, making it more resistant to scratches, abrasions, and general wear and tear.
3. Ease of Cleaning: Polished plastic surfaces are easier to clean and maintain compared to rough or textured surfaces.
4. Enhanced Light Transmission: Polished plastic surfaces can improve light transmission, making them ideal for applications where clarity and visibility are important, such as in optical devices, light fixtures, or display cases.
5. Customization Options: Polished plastic can be easily customized in terms of shape, and finish, providing flexibility in design and aesthetics for various applications.

Application

Remove Scratches from Windshield

Polish scratches out of polycarbonate

Car Dashboard Scratch Remover

Best plastic polish

Car Polish Plastic

Buffer Polishing

FAQ

1.Does clear polycarbonate sheet turn yellow?

Polycarbonate sheets may yellow over time, which is influenced by the material quality and the presence of protective coatings. Excelite’s clear polycarbonate sheets have UV coatings on both sides and come with a 10-year warranty.

2. Does transparent polycarbonate sheet scratch easily?

Yes, clear polycarbonate sheets are more prone to scratching compared to some other materials, such as glass or acrylic. But we offer polycarbonate sheets with scratch-resistant coatings that can help improve durability and reduce the likelihood of scratches.

3. Is polycarbonate sheet same as perspex sheet?

No, polycarbonate and Perspex (acrylic sheet) are not the same. While both are transparent plastic materials, polycarbonate is more impact-resistant, tougher, and flexible, making it nearly unbreakable. Perspex, also known as acrylic, is more rigid and has a higher clarity but is more prone to cracking and shattering under impact. Polycarbonate is better suited for applications requiring durability and impact resistance, whereas Acrylic is often chosen for its optical clarity and scratch resistance.

4. How to Remove Light Scratches from Acrylic?

1. Wet a piece of 800 grit sandpaper and rub it over the scratch in a circular motion for 2-3 minutes. It’s normal for the acrylic to appear frosty during this process.

2. Switch to 1200 grit sandpaper, repeating the same technique until all scratches are gone.

3. Dry the area with a soft, clean cotton cloth and apply acrylic polish to restore clarity.

5. How to Remove Deeper Scratches from Acrylic?

The steps share some similarities.

1. Start by wetting a piece of 600 grit sandpaper and rub it over the scratched area in a circular motion for about 3 minutes, alternating with a dry piece. It may appear frosty, which is normal.

2. Continue the process with 800 grit sandpaper for a few more minutes, then switch to 1200 grit paper, rubbing until all scratches are gone.

3. Finally, dry the area with a soft, clean cotton cloth and apply acrylic polish to restore high shine.

Why Work With Us

With over 15 years of polycarbonate fabrication and machining experience, Excelite helped customer from USA, France, Mexico, UAE, Germany etc achieved lots of plastic products and designs, ensuring top-notch quality and precision. We are committed to providing the best plastic fabrication tailored to your unique requirements.

Whether you have a detailed drawing or just an idea, our team of professionals is ready to turn your vision into reality. Enjoy the benefits of our services, including:

In-house Design & Tooling
Exceptional Accuracy (+/- 0.005″ Tolerances)
Comprehensive OEM & ODM Services
ISO 9001:2008 Certification
Direct Manufacturer Advantage

We invite you to partner with us and experience a seamless, efficient, and quality-driven production process.

Polish Finish for Acrylic

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