Acrylic Glass

Also known as plexi glass, acrylic is a brittle hard clear plastic that resembles glass. It is machinable, in that it can be turned on a Metal Lathe, drilled, cut, or used in the Bridgeport.

It is available in:

• Clear
• Colored
• Mirror
• Frosted

• Sheets
• Tubes
• Solid Rods

Weld on 3 will bond pieces together creating in essence, a single piece of plastic. Super Glue will also work, but does not melt the pieces together like the weld-on does. Acrylic can be very difficult to work with and do a good job due to its brittleness. Stiff and brittle, but can be shaped and formed using a heat gun. Similar product is PETG, a much softer version, less brittle, and more expensive.

Acrylic scratches very easily so leave protective coating on while working on plastic. In case of scratches, machine marks, sanding, drilling, or carving, use appropriate sand paper grit and work up until at least 600 grit before applying plastic polish. I found a good acrylic plastic polish that come in 3 stages, when finished using the 3 step method the plastic will be clear again. Modern plastic has it for sale.

Modern Plastics, Inc. - Warwick, Rhode Island 1300 Jefferson Boulevard Warwick, Rhode Island, USA 02886-9998 Toll-Free: 800 556-7308 - Phone: 401 732-0415 - Fax: 401 732-5847 NOVUS® 3 Heavy-Duty Scratch Remover Bottle Novus® 3 Plastic Heavy-Duty Scratch Remover - from Modern Plastics Watch Video Here on how to use! Gently cleans all plastics without scratching. Leaves a lustrous shine that resists fogging, repels dust, and eliminates static. Use on Plexiglas® and Lucite® acrylic products and on Lexan® polycarbonate products. Modern Plastics highly recommends using Specialized Cleaning Clothes for Plastics polishes on all its plastic products. A must have item! This product removes heavy scratches and abrasions from most acrylic surfaces. Use when damage is too severe to be restored with NOVUS No. 2 polish. • Requires use of NOVUS No. 2 for final finishing • Not recommended for use on coated plastics • Available in pour on bottle, spray on, and half-gallon refill size • Use with our "Modern Magic® MicroFiber Cleaning Cloths" - See related products below Directions for usage: 1. Shake well. Test in an inconspicuous area. 2. Apply NOVUS No. 3 liberally. Using a clean, soft cloth, polish with a firm back-and-forth motion at right angles to the scratches. Keep the cloth saturated with polish at all times. 3. Continue polishing until only fine scratches remain. Using cloth, remove all remaining polish, this is very important! 4. Using a clean cloth, apply NOVUS No. 2 in a circular motion uniformly to entire surface. Polish using light pressure until NOVUS No. 2 dries to a light haze. 5. Using a clean portion of the cloth, buff the surface clean. Follow with NOVUS No. 1 for best results. Novus Plastic Polish Uses • Plastic Storm Windows & Skylights • Boat Windows & Fiberglass • Auto Interiors, Gauges, Chrome, & Acrylic Paint • Collapsible Windows on Convertibles & Sport Utility Vehicles • Motorcycle Windscreens, Visors, Fairings & Helmets • Snowmobile Windshields, Helmets, & Hoods • Turntable Dust Covers, Stereo Faceplates • Compact Discs, Video Laser Discs, & CD ROM's • Acrylic Hot Tubs & Spas • Acrylic, Fiberglass or Cultured Marble Tubs, Showers & Counters • Microwave Oven Doors, Decorator Acrylic Refrigerator Panels • Acrylic Aquariums • Telephones, Pagers, Scanners • Acrylic Trophies & Awards • Plastic Display Cases & Signs • Gauges & Instrument Control Panels • Safety shields & Goggles • Airplane Windows • Salad Bar Sneeze Guards • Video Games, Pinball Machines & Jukeboxes • Copiers and Fax Machines • Acrylic Furniture • Cash Registers & Calculators • Emergency Vehicle Light Bar Lens Covers • Acrylic on Tanning Beds

Brasso

Brasso, yes a metal polish, does a great job of polishing acrylic. If the edges of your acrylic sheet need to be optically polished, you can sand with 150 grit sand paper, then wet sand with 600, then apply brasso to a paper towel and rub back and forth a bunch. Then just wipe off and clean with water.

Certain chemicals (such as non-acetone nail polish remover) , and long exposure to UV light can cause Crazing. Crazing is micro cracks in the surface. Crazing may not seem that bad, but when load is applied to the plastic the micro cracks will become large cracks and the piece could break.

For this reason it is probably not recommend for use in large structural situations.

Do not breathe in dust when cutting or sanding, wear a Dust Mask for that, otherwise no issues.

Metcalf Store in different thicknesses. Modern Plastics 4X8 ft. sheets good for large orders.