Sign in Get Instant Quote

Finishing Services

Hand Polishing

At a glance

Applicable Materials

Acrylic

Colors

N/A

Applications

Enhanced cosmetic appearance

Texture

Smooth and glossy

About the Process

Hand polishing is a manual process where the part is sanded, then buffed on a set of abrasive wheels or rouges to achieve the desired surface finish. This is a subtractive process that removes material in order to eliminate scratches and other imperfections.

Design considerations

  • Radiused corners and edges generally produce better results than sharp ones
  • Wall thicknesses less than 1.5mm do not hold up as well during polishing
  • Internal or hard to reach features (including threads) are difficult or impossible to polish
  • Very tight tolerances, reamed holes, and threads may need to be excluded from polishing

YOU MIGHT ALSO BE INTERESTED IN

Rapid Prototyping: A Complete Guide to Fast Manufacturing for Product Development

Whether you’re in early development of a medical device, a consumer electronics accessory, or a simple cable clip for your desk, the goal is usually the same: to test the concept as quickly as possible. When it comes to getting your product from a digital idea on screen to something physical in hand, prototyping is […]

Learn More

Design for Sustainability (DFS): A Guide for Engineering More Eco-Friendly Products

We want the products we design to last — to perform reliably, win market adoption, and deliver long-term value. But it’s not ideal if they last forever in a landfill, or negatively impact the planet we depend on.  That balance is at the heart of sustainable product design. As environmental awareness grows and regulations become […]

Learn More

Also of Interest