Thread: Clear Scales (the Sequel)

Originally Posted by Mastershake

Nice pinning, if you want to round the edges and still keep the clear sand the curved edges progressively until at least around 500 grit paper, then take a low temperature propane torch to the satin areas. Don't melt them just heat up the surface a little and they will be clear again. Experiment on a scrap piece to get the feel for the right temperature so you don't burn or melt the scales.

If the scales get too hot and cool quickly, they will crack at the first application of a solvent like alcohol or some ammonia cleaners. Or they may crack over time for no apparent reason. The cause is induced stress which did not get a chance to release slowly. Much the same a hardening a blade and not tempering it.

So, do they then need to be tempered back by placing in hot water?

That may be one way to accomplish it. We used to use a dry heat oven at @200º for a while.

The best thing is not to stress the plastic in the first place. Too tight pins will do it and so will buffing too hard.

I recently wiped out a pair of scales by trying that and ended up with bubbled plastic. Plexiglass and acrylic do absorb moisture over time if they are not stored properly. So what happened to me is that I did not remove the scales from the oven when I shut it off and the temperature spiked and boiled the internal moisture.
Practice before you try these things!!