PLASTIC POLISHING

Commercial Edge Polishing Services for Acrylic & Polycarbonate

What Is Edge Polishing for Acrylic and Polycarbonate?

Edge polishing for acrylic and polycarbonate is the process of smoothing, refining, and finishing the cut edges of these clear plastics to improve appearance, remove burrs, reduce haze, and (for some methods) restore optical clarity.

It’s commonly done after cutting or routing sheet stock to make the edges look finished, safe to handle, and—when desired—optically clear.

Acrylic Polishing

Typical Polishing Edges of Acrylic We Provide

Satin (matte) — diffuses light, hides fingerprints
Glossy (clear, bright) — good visual clarity but not optical-grade
Optical (mirror-clear, high-transmission) — highest clarity for light-guides, displays

Flame Polishing vs Mechanical Polishing for Acrylic

Flame polishing: passing a clean, controlled flame over the cut edge so the surface briefly melts and reflows to a clear, glossy finish.
Mechanical polishing: progressive sanding (wet/dry or micro-mesh) followed by buffing with polishing compounds or a cloth wheel to remove scratches and produce a clear or mirror finish.

Polycarbonate Polishing

Polycarbonate can be polished to improve appearance and remove burrs, but it’s more heat- and solvent-sensitive than acrylic.

Mechanical sanding and buffing, controlled thermal methods (flame or hot-knife), and careful CNC finish passes are preferred.

Solvent polishing is generally not recommended for polycarbonate because many solvents cause crazing, stress cracking, or loss of strength.

Polycarbonate Polishing VS. Acrylic Polishing

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.

Saw Cut– Smooth matte, satin edges, rough looking
Acceptable if edges won’t be visible or need further finishing
Diamond Polishing & Buffing
Optically Clear, High glossy polished edges
Hand Polishing
Exquisite, high quality edge finish, for complex shapes, 3D edges, or when machine polishing isn’t suitable
Custom Beveled & Chamfered Edges
Bevel + Polish Combinations for Design Element

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.

Excelite Edge Polishing Services

At Excelite, we adhere to strict standards for all plastic parts, ensuring they meet the highest levels of quality.

High Optical Clarity
Edge Finishes Quality
Tight Tolerance Control
Mirror, satin, and functional edge finishes for sheets and fabricated parts
Processes: mechanical sanding & buffing, flame/hot-knife polishing, CNC finish passes, laser smoothing, vibratory tumbling, and applied edge trim
Material focus: acrylic (PMMA) and polycarbonate (PC)

Applications of Polished Acrylic and Polycarbonate Edges

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Acrylic Displays

When applied to display box, delivers clear, low‑haze viewing areas and smooth, uniform edges that enhance both aesthetics and readability.

Machine Guard

Excelite provides precision acrylic and polycarbonate edge polishing for machine guards, delivering smooth, burr‑free edges and consistent profiles that enhance safety and fit.

Enclosures

When applied to enclosures, produces smooth, uniform edges and high-quality surface clarity that improve both appearance and assembly fit.

OEM Components

Excelite also offers OEM component polishing for acrylic and polycarbonate, delivering production‑grade edge and surface finishes that meet strict dimensional, cosmetic, and assembly requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions About Edge Polishing

Most frequent questions and answers

1. Is Edge Polishing the Same as Scratch Removal?

Edge polishing focuses on shaping and finishing part edges (removing burrs, smoothing profiles, creating mirror/gloss/satin finishes) to improve fit, safety, optics, and aesthetics.
Scratch removal targets surface defects (scratches, scuffs, marring) on faces or edges and may require different abrasives, buffing, or chemical processes to restore surface appearance.
Processes overlap: polishing often reduces minor scratches on edges, but deep scratches or face damage usually need dedicated repair steps (sanding, filling, re-polishing or recoating).
Material and damage type determine the correct approach—acrylic typically polishes to near-optical clarity; polycarbonate may require specific compounds and care to avoid heat/crazing.

2. Can Scratches Be Removed from Polycarbonate?

Yes — many scratches can be removed from polycarbonate, but success depends on scratch depth, location, and part function.

3. Can You Flame Polish Polycarbonate?

No — flame polishing polycarbonate is not recommended.

Polycarbonate softens and can rapidly burn, bubble, or craze under open flame, causing optical distortion and weakening.

Why Choose Excelite for Edge Polishing Services?

With over 15 years of polycarbonate fabrication and machining experience, Excelite specializes in the fabrication of polycarbonate and acrylic sheet products, ensuring top-notch quality and precision. We are committed to providing the best manufacturing solutions 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.

TAILORED POLYCARBONATE SOLUTION

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Looking to transform your vision into a tangible product?

At Excelite Plastics, every project is unique.

sales@exceliteplas.com

+86 135 8555 4902 (China)

+61452 396 680 (Australia)

Block 1 RuiSu Building, 2 Kecheng Rd, Suzhou, China 215122

Australia Branch: 6 Stephen Road, Dandenong South 3175