Sanding Resin Pens: Smooth, Glossy, and Professional Finish

Custom resin pens are popular among crafters and woodturners, but they often come off the lathe or out of the mold with scratches, tool marks, or cloudy surfaces. Sanding is the essential step to refining them into sleek, polished writing instruments. This guide explains how to sand resin pens step by step.

Why Sand Resin Pens?

Sanding removes tool marks, levels imperfections, and preps resin for polishing. Without sanding, pens may appear dull, rough, and unprofessional.

Tools You’ll Need

• Wet/dry sandpaper sheets (400–3000 grit)
• Small sanding block or foam pad
• Spray bottle with water
• Microfiber cloths
• Resin polishing compound
• Protective gloves and mask

Recommended Grit Sequence

• 400 grit: Remove tool marks and rough edges.
• 800 grit: Smooth scratches from coarse sanding.
• 1500 grit: Refine surface for semi-clear look.
• 3000 grit: Final sanding for a glossy, professional finish.

Step-by-Step: Sanding Resin Pens

1. Inspect the blank. Check for scratches, rough edges, or tool marks.
2. Start with 400 grit. Use 400 grit (25-pack) to level and smooth the resin surface.
3. Smooth with 800 grit. Switch to 800 grit (50-pack) for refinement.
4. Refine with 1500 grit. Use 1500 grit (100-pack) for clarity and prep before polishing.
5. Finish with 3000 grit. Wet sand evenly for a crystal-clear surface.
6. Polish and buff. Apply resin polishing compound and wipe with microfiber cloth.

Special Cases

For pens with embedded designs or glitter, sand lightly to avoid cutting into decorative layers. Always wet sand above 400 grit to reduce scratches and extend sandpaper life.

Pro Tips

• Sand in small, controlled motions for consistency.
• Rotate the pen blank evenly to avoid flat spots.
• Don’t skip grits—each stage removes scratches from the previous one.

Aftercare

• Polish occasionally to maintain gloss.
• Store pens in cases to prevent scratches.
• Avoid prolonged sunlight exposure to prevent yellowing.

FAQs

• Do I need a lathe for sanding? No—hand sanding works fine for finishing.
• Why does my resin look cloudy? You may need to sand up to 3000 grit, then polish.
• Can I skip polishing? Not recommended—polishing maximizes shine and smoothness.

Watch & Learn

Sanding resin pens ensures they look professional, sleek, and glossy. Stock up on wet/dry sandpaper sheets—packs of 25, 50, and 100 available across all fine grits. Shop resin pen sanding sheets here.