Sanding Corian - best way?

[Jensmith]

I've done a few things with Corian but have a devil of a job getting cut marks out without putting a load of scratch lines in from the sandpaper.

I've tried using wet and dry (dry), micro mesh pads and nyweb pads but I can't seem to avoid the scratches.

Any ideas? Should I be sanding it wet?

Thanks,

Jennifer,

 

[jasonB]

You need good extarction to remove the dust and any abrasive that comes off the discs, it does not need to be sanded wet. A good ROS is whats needed, most of teh corian fitters I've used and the guy I have fabricate it us ethe Festool tools and their pads are good as well.

Edit. Just realised it was you so a 6" ROS will be overkill for your small items. Just work through the grits with silicone carbide paper making sure it does not clog and keep removing the dust, you could finish off with micromesh used wet or a fine grey scotchbrite pad gives a reasonable sheen.



Jason

 

[jpt]

I always wet sand Corian and all acrylics going down to 12000 micrmesh and finish with a buffing liquid. A fuller explanation can be found HERE and have no problem with scratches.

john

 

[NikNak]

Hi Jen, see my recent posting....

some-pens-made-for-xmas-gifts-t46746.html


After turning i used:-

240, 320, 400 grit paper

then went on to 400 & 600 dry micomesh

then used the Acrylic finishing pads (ignoring the first one) WET..... the trick here is to use a VERY LIGHT touch with a speed around 1500, and keep the 'job' lubricated (place some paper towel underneath so as not to get you lathe wet then go rusty)

Spend around the same amount of time with each grade of pad, and dont rush it.

By the time you've finished with the finest grade you should hardly need any 'polish' on it, but if you do need to i use Hut Ultra Gloss Plastic Polish.


Having spent several years making the tooling for wind turbine blades, and then spending weeks sanding and polishing them..... i can tell you, it's all in the patience.... dont rush it, and use the fine papers wet....



Nick

 

[Jensmith]

Thanks guys I'll give that a go and hopefully avoid the sanding lines!

 

[Melinda_dd]

Hi

I use the micro mesh pads (the set for pen turning) I think they go up to 3500 grit, then i finish with T cut! started using it because I'd got nothing else, but they actually come up really good... like glass.
I don't tend to put anything lower than 600 grit on it as it just creates scratches... same goes fro acrylic.