Guide to Plastic Edgework: Methods, Uses, and Finishing Options

Plastics are materials that are manufactured from natural materials (synthetic or semi-synthetic organic compounds) such as coal, cellulose, natural gas, crude oil, and salt via a polycondensation or polymerization process. They are malleable and can be formed into solid objects.

As soon as plastics are cut, they end up with rough edges and router marks. Hence, there is a need to polish the edges based on the intended design. Various edge works are done on plastics to make them appear smooth and glassy. In no time, your acrylic will have a smooth matte finish, leaving it more attractive than ever.

There are several acrylic edge works that are available in the market for whatever edging you need for your construction project. Before selecting a plastic edgework, you need to know which one is right for your job and why.

Acrylic edge works are hardwearing and versatile making them ideal for a huge range of applications and boards. They can be used in the kitchen, washroom, office, high traffic areas, and many more. By edging your plastics, they will be kept in top condition for a longer period of time.

Types Of Plastic Edgeworks

You can have your plastic edge finished based on different finish patterns. In this section, we will take a look at some of the plastic edge works available.

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Saw Cut Edge

If you are looking for the standard edge finish for your acrylics, then saw cut edge finish is the ideal choice for you. With this type of finish, your plastic will be chip-free. Furthermore, you would not need to polish it when engaging the edge.

Milled Edge

This edge finish is preferred to sawed acrylic edgework, as it can be used for complex shapes and designs. Milled edgework gives your plastic a frosted edge, thereby producing a modern look. Even more, it can be done at a low cost; so you do not need to dig deep into your pockets to give your acrylics that professional look and feel.

Flame Polishing

Flame polishing takes milled edgework a notch higher. With this edge finish process, the acrylic is milled and its edges heated with an intense flame of 800° F to produce a high lustre. Flame polishing can be used in the typical acrylic application - an example being a tabletop.

However, there is a catch to using this type of edgework. The finished flame polished plastic should not be cleaned with alcohol, Windex, or cleaners that contain ammonia.

Machine Polishing

This type of edge finish is less stressful and expensive to implement. Additionally, it is ideal for thicker acrylics. To get a better result, you can silkscreen the material when polishing to give it a flat and glossy appearance.

Hand Polishing

Hand polishing edge works require great effort to get the desired result. This is being done by milling the acrylic edges to get rid of saw cuts, after which it is sanded with four various grits of wet-dry sandpaper. Having completed this process, the acrylic is buffed with cutting polish and finally, with a fine polish. This type of edgework gives your product a museum-quality finish.

Procedures Involved In Polishing Edges

When plastic edges are machined, there are always machine traces left on the plastic surface. There is a distinction between a saw stroke and a machine stroke. Once you cut through a sheet of plastic, there are saw strokes left on the edges. Machine strokes are created when a plastic surface is milled. Deeper grooves are associated with saw strokes, unlike machine strokes. To get rid of these strokes, you need to polish the plastic edges to make it completely smooth. In the case of a saw stroke, sand the area with grit 80. The deepest grooves should be sanded smooth with the grit. Proceed with grits 200, 400, and 800 to sand the plastic edges. Once you’ve done that, you can polish the edges with a backing pad with polishing wood. For your polishing agent, you can use Zvizzer, Xerapol, or any other equivalent polishing agent. With the right polishing agent in place, you can apply it on the affected area and spread over the plastic edges, at low speed. Start slowly and monitor the results as you progress. Avoid the use of intense pressure, as this may damage the patch and create additional heat. With the right procedure, you will have a smooth shiny edge in no time.

How You Can Remove Light And Deep Scratches With The Right Polishing Procedure

You can remove light scratches off your sheet material by polishing the surface with a fine cut polishing agent and a soft microfibre cloth. For an ideal polishing agent, Xerapol is a great option. You can as well use car paint polish and even toothpaste to get rid of those minor scratches. Get a moist cloth and fold in-between your fingers (thumb, index, and middle finger). Dip the moist cloth into the polishing agent a little, and apply in a circular motion over the surface. Don’t just apply on the scratched surface; widen your coverage. By doing so, there will be a smooth transition from the untreated part to the treated part. Once you are done with this step, allow the plastic to dry for a period of time, before wiping it clean with a microfibre cloth. If you want to retain an amazing appearance on your material, you can treat the surface with Burnus Antistatic cleaner.

For deep scratches, you would need to roughen the surface with sandpaper. Apply grit 200 on the affected area, and then focus on a larger area of the material with grit 400, succeeded by grit 800. Once this is done, polish the material surface using the procedures discussed in the previous paragraph. Zvizzer Heavy Cut Polish also comes in handy, as it polishes surfaces with deep scratches easily and effectively. You can polish the surface either with your hand or a machine.