How to Sand an Acrylic Sheet

It is superior to glass in the sense that it is lighter, less susceptible to damage or shattering, is clearer, is a better insulator and is easier to repair when scratched. Scratches are so easy to repair on acrylic that it can be done with no prior acrylic experience. With a few simple tools, scratched acrylic can be repaired in a matter of minutes.

1. Determine if you need to use a sanding block for the job. If it is a flat piece of acrylic, it is best to use a block. If the acrylic has curves, it is best to only use your hand with the sandpaper.

2. Sand the scratched area with dry 220-grit sandpaper. It is best to sand about 1/2 inch around each edge of the scratch.

3. Rinse the scratched area with water to remove any debris left over from the sanding.

4. Sand the scratched surface with dry 400-grit sandpaper. Sand the entire area that you sanded with the 220-grit sandpaper.

5. Rinse the acrylic with water to remove debris.

6. Move to 500-grit wet sandpaper and sand the entire area. Rinse the acrylic with water after sanding.

7. Continue moving up to 800-grit wet sandpaper. For best results, use 600-grit, 700-grit and then 800-grit, rather than skipping right to 800. Rinse the acrylic after each sanding section.

8. Sand the area with the wet 800-grit sandpaper until the surface is smooth and appears to be free of scratches. The acrylic can be buffed after the sanding process, but it isn't necessary.