How to Polish Acrylic Shafts

Buffing acrylic is much like buffing your car.

Acrylic plastic shafts are just one shape of the strong, lightweight, clear plastic commercially available for craftsmen and artists. Acrylic shafts are sometimes known as acrylic rods, depending on the manufacturer. Acrylic is used for practical purposes such as making aquariums, windows and household objects, as well as for making decorative art. After cutting or shaping, acrylic may have a translucent, foggy finish. Buff or heat polish acrylic to restore it to a shiny finish.

Things You'll Need

• Buffing wheel
• Tallow stick
• Non-silicone car polish

Instructions

1. Turn the buffing wheel to between 1,000 and 4,000 feet per minute. You can also use a drill with a buffing wheel attachment.

2. Touch a tallow stick to the buffing wheel for one to five seconds. The tallow will act as a base for the polish.

3. Apply the polish to the acrylic shaft, and move the piece back and forth across the spinning buffing wheel until polished.

Tips & Warnings

• You can also carefully move a MAPP torch across the surface of the acrylic shaft to polish it.

References

• TAPP Plastics: How to Polish and Repair Scratched Plastic
• San Diego Plastics Inc: Acrylic Plastic