Methods to polish Delrin?

[originator]

I have been trying to find a method for getting a nice polished look without losing the gloss. Everything I try involving sandpaper dulls the finish, the more course the paper the more gray it turns. Any suggestions?

[Superman]

This may help, search for "plastic polishing" for more

Lexan Clearity!

[One of Many]

Delrin is a trade name for Acetal. This is an engineered polymer that is impervious to most organic chemicals, so the link to vapor polishing will not apply. The glass filled types do not polish well, as the glass is harder than the substrate binders. The surface will always be somewhat grainy.

It will wet sand, and can then be buffed to a luster if the friction heat is controlled. Jewelers rouge helps the buffing wheel cut without burning, but fine features needing localized attention are best done with a dremel etc if you can avoid digging. This will be one of those times where trial and error will eventually find something you can live with.

In a pinch, I think one of them wallnut tumblers can help improve polishing also. Even if the media was something other than wallnut shell.

DC

[youngjim]

Heat?

[One of Many]

Might be worth a try.

I have always considered delrin a thermal set type of plastic, although acetal is in the thermal form family. In other words, once thermal set/cured after initially mixed, it would not exibit surface reflow.

DC