Polish Acrylic Sheets: 800?1500?2000 Wet Sanding + Buff

Acrylic (plexiglass) scratches easily, but it also polishes back to crystal clarity if you sand and buff it correctly. The reliable ladder is 800 ? 1500 ? 2000 grit wet sanding, followed by buffing with a plastic polish. Skip steps, and you’ll see haze and fine scratches. Follow this method, and your acrylic windows, displays, or guards will look brand new.

Why Acrylic Needs Careful Sanding

Acrylic is softer than glass but harder than many plastics. It scratches easily from dust or cleaning, and deep scratches scatter light. Coarse sanding removes defects, but only a full progression through finer grits and a proper buff restores transparency. Pressure and heat must be controlled—too much, and acrylic melts or clouds.

Tools & Materials

• 9×11 in wet/dry sandpaper sheets: 800, 1500, 2000 grit
• Soft foam sanding pad or rubber block
• Spray bottle with water + drop of dish soap
• Microfiber cloths
• Plastic polish or automotive headlight polish
• Buffing wheel or microfiber applicator pad
• PPE: gloves, safety glasses, respirator for fine plastic dust

Recommended Grit Sequence

• 800 grit — Removes visible scratches and scuffs.
• 1500 grit — Refines scratch pattern, reduces haze.
• 2000 grit — Final wet-sand before buffing for near-clarity.

Step-by-Step: Restore Acrylic Clarity

1. Clean first. Wash acrylic with mild soap and water. Dirt acts like coarse grit and creates more scratches.
2. Wet-sand at 800. Spray water often. With 800 grit (25-pack), sand evenly in one direction. Stop when deep scratches are replaced by uniform haze.
3. Step to 1500. Switch to 1500 grit (50-pack). Sand perpendicular to your 800 strokes. Keep the surface wet. Goal: erase 800’s marks and leave a finer haze.
4. Final refine at 2000. With 2000 grit (100-pack), sand lightly in long strokes until surface looks evenly frosted but smooth to the touch.
5. Polish. Apply plastic polish with a microfiber pad or buffing wheel at low speed. Work in sections until acrylic turns clear. Reapply polish as needed.
6. Inspect & repeat if necessary. If haze remains, back up one grit and re-run the sequence before polishing again.

Special Cases

Deep scratches: Start at 400–600 grit, then progress 800 ? 1500 ? 2000 ? polish.
Edges: Sand flat with a block to avoid rounding. Buff edges separately for a glassy look.
Large panels: Use a DA sander on low speed with interface pad, but always finish by hand to keep scratches uniform.

Pro Tips

• Keep sanding surface wet—heat clouds acrylic quickly.
• Alternate sanding directions between grits so you can see when scratches are fully removed.
• Use firm backers on flats; fingers create grooves.
• Buff at low RPM—high speed melts acrylic.
• Seal finished surface with a plastic protectant to resist future scratches.

Aftercare

• Clean with microfiber and mild soap—avoid ammonia cleaners that damage acrylic.
• Use covers or films to prevent scratches in high-wear areas.
• For touch-ups, a quick 2000 grit wet-sand and polish restores clarity.

FAQs

• Can I skip straight to polish? Not if scratches are visible. Only fine haze polishes out—deeper marks need sanding.
• What about flame polishing? It can work but risks warping and cracking. Wet sanding + buffing is safer.
• Why does it look worse after 800 grit? That haze is normal. It disappears after 1500 ? 2000 ? polish.
• Is 3000 grit needed? Optional for show-quality clarity, but 2000 + polish is plenty for most jobs.

Video: Acrylic Polishing Workflow

Closing: Clear acrylic comes from patience, not shortcuts. Follow the ladder—800 ? 1500 ? 2000 wet sanding, then buff—and your panels, guards, or displays will shine like glass again.