Scratch Free Polish on Alumilite Blanks, Epoxy Acrylics, PR and Plastic 

Thanks so much, and the sandpaper part was really very helpful. The piece that I made was the centre bit for my sons garden table, the mushroom shaped thing with a hole in the middle that keeps the sunshade steady. Sadly It has dulled greatly due to the Scottish weather. I was looking for a quick permanent fix but I would be best to do it right and rebuff. Videos are so interesting. Thanks again.

Thank you Sir for pointing this video out to me! Getting the pressure pot welded up and as soon as it gets back I will be putting these tips to the test. I still have one major problem to overcome. My stand alone buffer runs almost 3500 RPM. I have a friend that is an electrician and I am pretty sure he will be able to help me get that down to a reasonable level. Worse comes to worse I will spring for a buffing system I can use on my Jet. Thanks so much for all your help! Really looking forward to the 6 step process!!!

Awesome how you described why for everything!

Zac -- Thanks for sharing your process with us. Mine is fairly similar and works well for me. I suggest you try a couple of things: 1. When starting with 220 grit sandpaper, you might want to use 320 grit as your next step instead of jumping all the way up to 400 grit. It takes a long time for 400 grit sandpaper to remove 220 grit scratches. 2. Try wet sanding acrylic blanks. Wet sanding keeps the blanks cool, allowing the abrasive to cut cleanly rather than cutting/melting its way through the blank. Besides, if you wet sand, you can step your lathe speed back up. I think you'll like the result. Thanks for the info on the 3M polishing paper. I've been wet sanding with micromesh sheets (clipped together so I can keep the order straight). The sheets seem to last forever when wet sanding. But, when they do wear out, I'll check out the 3m polishing paper. It's always nice to have options. Thanks for your videos. You do a great job.

Great video, Zac. A lot of wonderful information. ~Scott

Thanks for the info can I finish sanding at 1200 with 3m wet/dry and use your method with buffing wheel followed by lathe and a finishing polish? I have yet to get a perfect finish using micro mesh and waisted months 😫 also have a stand alone buffing wheel but not sure if rpms are to much thanks for the videos

Looking at getting a bench buffer and was wondering if you could tell me what rpm machine I need to be looking at. Thank you

Thanks a lot for the info Zac, your very kind for share your knowledge. One cuestion, RPMs on the buffing system? Thanks again

Great tips on sanding!

Zac, there is a crevice on the end of this piece of wood with stabilized cactus juice does that have to be cleaned out somehow before I can put it in the mold and pour colored resin in it.

Cool video, lots of really good info!

Great information there Zac...see your coming up on 6000 subscribers...congrats

How long do you wait to sand alumilite? I’m using clear slow. Demons after 4 hrs. Should I wait a full 24 hours before sanding?

Thanks for all the info!

Good info Zac. Speed kills lol especially when sanding. I'm back from some time away. Have Alumilite coming tomorrow and look forward to catching up on all the vids you have out now. Thanks for sharing Scott

hi zac great video once again, was wondering if this process would work the same with a square blank and a nornal polishing mop attached to a drill or would i need to use ca glue on a sqaure piece then finish with something like renaisance wax, thanks

Great tips Zac.. thanks

Great video!

Hey Zac, thanks again for all your awesome videos. I dont know how many times Ive paused my work in the garage “to see if Zac addresses this screwup of mine” on my iPad. XD. Im one that got the MM set to 12000. So if I went all the way to 12000 and my blanks were reasonably clear of scratches, would then moving to a Beall buffing system wih Tripoli and White undo what I just did? Trying to figure out how to add that final “pop” after the 12000 MM? FWIW im mostly doing slow setting epoxy and a little Alumilite when I go enough change. No polyester Satanic stuff here as we discussed before

Nice video and thanks for the tips......I'm a beginner on this and I just want to ask...can I get away with out buffing? and just use all the steps of the 3m system....I don't have the buffing equipment yet. Thanks again.

On the paper micro mesh do 1000 and the 2000 wet or dry?

Hey Zac have you heard that cactus juice will damage the acrylic top of a vacuum chamber to the point where it’s not usable?

Good info

what spindle gauge do you turn with?

Haven't missed a video yet.. they keep getting better..When beall buffing what is your speed? - Pat

Good information. Do you ever use CA to finish any of your pens. Thanks.

Hi Zac, Great video. I have been looking for a better method yours may be it. Could you just confirm the 3M grits you use after the 240 and 400 Abernet I think you say you only use 2 but don't mention which grits they are. Thanks, Richard....

Zac, Joel Taylor turned me into your channel. Great work here. I'm not clear if you wet or dry sand with your Zona paper? The Amazon sites say they both work.

Thanks for the tip on Abranet! Wow, that stuff is great and works well for me both dry and wet. One small piece lasts a long time. I found it in 800 and 1000 grit .... disk shaped, but who cares?

Is there a video showing how to get a solid thin line while casting?

I agree with slow speed. If lathe is spinning too fast then you can easily make circle marks in the blanks with the sandpaper. Usually people sand side to side and if the lathe is spinning slower its more effective. Too fast and the blank has already gone around multiple times unless you're moving your hand side to side just is fast. I'd like to see someone try that at 2000 RPM :-)

Beautiful pen blank :)

Hey Zac, when you master that skew chisel perfect finish thing, do a video. I need a lot of practice or a great teacher. :-) Thanks. JimE

Wow! Great video! You don’t wet sand? I leave 240 and start wet sanding at 400-2000 Man, it takes a long time for me to complete a piece and I’m doing small jewelry pieces. After I’m don’t with a batch I go back through with a light and magnifier and boom there’s scratches! Deep..I have to go all the way back through……🤯

The sandpaper that you reversed direction on is call a draw polish at least that’s what we call it in the tool & Die world.

excellent-e'

Well don't see how to leave a picture

Suggestion...don't play music while you're talking.

How long do you wait to sand alumilite? I’m using clear slow. Demons after 4 hrs. Should I wait a full 24 hours before sanding?