Can you bead blast plastic?

[MagTDK]

Can you bead Blast plastic without deforming the surface?

I would like to remove some machine marks left over on the plastic from cutting it with a CNC machine. I could sand it but I'm looking for a quicker way if possible. And I'm asking because I don't own a bead blast cabinet or gun to test it, and I'd hate to invest in one just to find out it won't work.

[gonejunking]

I don't think it'll work as you hope. I've blasted plastic with glass beads, it removed paint and rubber marks, but left the machining marks. You could try sand, but it would inbed itself into the plastic and possibly eat thru your mat'l.

Get out the sand paper.

Just my 2c worth

[MagTDK]

Thanks for your insight. I guess I'll stick with sand paper for now.

[Laff Riot]

Call a local plastic supplier / finisher for the correct blowtorch & gas recommendation. We called piedmont plastics and they sent out a rep with a portable unit to show us how to speed up. He bought his kit at home depot - I remember it had to be a high oxygen flame.

He cleared the edges as fast as he could move the torch - but - he had a lot of experience. It also works better with either cast or extruded acrylic but I dont remember which. If you look into it let me know.

For minimal production - scrape the edge with an x-acto knife - its not crystal clear but its definetly faster than hand sanding.

[InspirationTool]

I just had some Delrin parts cut with a laser. They were vibratory finished afterwards, and that removed the swirl marks.

-Jeff

[68rustang]

What type of plastic?

Like Laff Riot we "flame polish" our acrylic using a torch with a real fine tip flame. The end result is crystal clear.