Finishing Acrylic Knife Scales

[Jeffinn]

I just picked up some acrylic blanks to use for knife scales along with some micro mesh polishing pads. The micro mesh goes from 300 to 12000 grit. Is that all I need to put a good finish on acrylic knife handles? Or is there some sort of finishing polish that I need also?
Thanks.
Jeff

[americanedgetech]

Work it the same as any other material but do not overwork one area, and create heat.
Acrylic will pull, and deform into micro-valleys when it is over worked.

I find that 1500 grit emory paper is as far as I have to go. From there I use Dupont #7 white "Polishing" compound followed by a micro fiber towel to polish it.
A neat trick... Use a benzomatic torch directly over 1500 grit finish, and when you get good with the torch, there is no need to polish.
Practice on scraps tho... it takes a SECOND to ruin it.

[Jeffinn]

Thanks Ken, much appreciated!

[americanedgetech]

No problem.
I've been molding acrylic windscreens on race boats/pleasure boats for decades. It's one of the easiest materials to finish, and I'm sure you'll agree after the first one!