Replies

1. 
   jackplane | Oct 20, 2004 09:34pm | #1

   Your method can work,or use a buffing wheel and compound. As long as it's not a polycarbonate, a quick pass with a torch should render scratches seamless.

2. 
   forestgirl | Oct 21, 2004 09:24am | #2

   I don't turn, but I've seen the catalog and some samples of abrasives from Micro-Surface Finishing Products, Inc.  Most certainly worth a look:

   https://www.micro-surface.com/default.cfm?page_id=1

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
   Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

1. 
   CarbonJoe | Oct 21, 2004 05:42pm | #6

   forestgirl - Lots of neat things at that site. I think the kits are overkill for my needs, but the Micro-Finish polish has potential. Thanks!CJ

1. 
   forestgirl | Oct 21, 2004 07:50pm | #8

   You might want to give them a call and let them know what your task is.  I'll bet they'd steer you to the perfect solution.

   While you're at it, you could get the one that polishes up headlights, LOL.  forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

3. 
   IanDG | Oct 21, 2004 01:26pm | #3

   Toothpaste -- trust me, it works!

   IanDG

1. 
   CarbonJoe | Oct 21, 2004 05:28pm | #4

   IanDG - Any specific brands? I seem to remember people using toothpaste to remove scratches from audio CDs. Favorite flavor? (not that it matters, but maybe you'd get a decent smell while polishing the pens)CJ

1. 
   IanDG | Oct 21, 2004 06:42pm | #7

   I used toothpaste for the final polish to some corian pens I made and I just grabbed ours from the bathroom -- can't remember the brand but the flavor was spearmint!

   All toothpaste contains a very fine abrasive powder like jeweller's rouge but it's a lot cheaper than the dedicated polishes. I apply it with a damp cloth with the lathe speed on low -- the only problem is that it's sticky -- that's why the damp cloth. The shine is good enough that I don't need any coating.

   IanDG

4. 
   CarbonJoe | Oct 21, 2004 05:30pm | #5

   Thanks, Metod. I'll search the Web for vendors.

   CJ

5. 
   jackplane | Oct 21, 2004 10:07pm | #9

   I've heard of Ian's suggestion of toothpaste before; I don't think it matters if you use Crest instead of Colgate or Tom's of Maine.

   Most, if not all toothpastes contain fine silica, a mild abrasive. The only difference between abrading a surface and polishing it, is the degree or fineness of the abrasive.

1. 
   IanDG | Oct 21, 2004 10:36pm | #10

   You can also use metal polish -- that contains fine abrasives as well -- but everyone's got toothpaste.

   IanDG

1. 
   jackplane | Oct 22, 2004 04:08pm | #11

   Everyone except West Virginians.