Tips on flame polishing acrylic?

[Hecubus114]

I have done this before with pretty successful results, but the piece I am attempting to do is not working as well. I can get the glossy finish, but not before the acrylic turns a brownish black on the surface. I am wet sanding with ultra fine sandpaper and rinsing before using the flame. Little cracks also seem to appear on the surface. Anyone with experience on this have any ideas what I may be doing wrong?

 

[FLM Concepts]

I'm interested in learning how to do this properly, as well.

 

[bookface]

What are you using for your flame?

 

[division 6]

The browning is from going to slow and the cracks are crazing probably from the sanding or polishing compound..
Make sure not to have any polish, dirt or oils in the piece.
Things like Turtle Wax burns an makes a big mess of things.

I spent the better part of 7 years flame polishing the edges and openings of acrylic aquariums.
All our stuff was just routed. blown off and vacuumed (inside) then flamed.

 

[robstyle]

^ what he said. No need for polish or such before flame polishing. If your using a saw or dremel to make any cuts, you can sand or file that but DO NOT use any chemicals, ride it dry. The flame is whats doing the work. You are basically melting the surface and like any paint job, the end result is only as good as the prep involved.