cutting/frosting plexi/lexan
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Fiberglass, Fabrication, and Interiors
Forum Discription: Fiberglass Kick Panels, Subwoofer Enclosures, Plexiglas, Fabrics, Materials, Finishes, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=30378
Printed Date: July 07, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Topic: cutting/frosting plexi/lexan
Posted By: pureRF
Subject: cutting/frosting plexi/lexan
Date Posted: April 14, 2004 at 7:48 PM
How hard is to to cut plexi/lexan and how to u frost them?
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dream it, build it, fiberglass it
Replies:
Posted By: defective
Date Posted: April 15, 2004 at 9:09 AM
not hard.... just different blades in all your tools. A jigsaw is usually the best tool.... just remember that when you cut or drill these acrylic blends, they will heat up and melt, so cut and drill slow!... and use coarse cutting blades or better yet, an actual acrylic blade. as for frosting, you can buy glass frosting in a spray can and you can also buy the frosted sticker sheets you apply with a squeege. -------------
Posted By: kickerstang
Date Posted: April 15, 2004 at 9:42 AM
you can frost plexi simple by sanding it and when you cut it make sure you cool down the blade while your cutting with air, like put the air nozzle from the air compressor right against the blade while cutting, this will keep the blade cool and keep it from locking up ------------- what!?!?! you want some??
Posted By: Velocity Motors
Date Posted: April 15, 2004 at 2:21 PM
For the straight cuts use a blade on the table saw with at least 88 teeth. This will reduce shipping and splintering of the plexiglass
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Jeff
Velocity Custom Home Theater
Mobile Audio/Video Specialist
Morden, Manitoba CANADA
Posted By: pureRF
Date Posted: April 15, 2004 at 7:20 PM
thanks yall. Ill post pics when its all done. If there ne other suggestions id love to hear them.
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dream it, build it, fiberglass it
Posted By: audiomechanic
Date Posted: April 15, 2004 at 7:26 PM
i dont agree with the sanding or even the stickers for getting the frosted look. one of the best ways i have found is to sand or bead blast it. this is easier than it sounds and you can do it as long as you have access to an air compressor. what you will need is a hand held air powered sand blaster. you can get them from a snap on or matco guy if you see one, or you can go to a lot of other places like harbor freight and some hardware stores. then you can use sand box sand to blast it. keep in mind that it isnt the best or even right sand to do it, but it will work. you will have to dry it out with a heat gun or sread it out and let it sit over night. you might want to sift it to get some of the larger debris out of it.
you will also need the vinyl that vinyl stickers are made of.
cut out a negative of what you want shaded. by that i mean cut out exaxtly what you want to have shades. then apply it to the plexiglass. make sure it is stuck on there good. then spray it with the sand. it will shade it really nice.
another option if you can get a machine shop to do it, is to have a logo or picture CNCed into it. then when you put neon at the edges it will only light up the logo.
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Posted By: sam1
Date Posted: April 16, 2004 at 10:33 AM
gotta love sandblasting. when i worked at conmat i had to sand blast about 5 semis and 10 or so trailers to get them ready to paint. fun stuff. thatll sting the hell out of you tho if you dont wear a mask and a jumpsuit. but anyways, that would work perfect. especially on plexiglass. around here theres actually several places you can go to and theyll sand blast whatever you want for pretty cheap.
Posted By: pureRF
Date Posted: April 16, 2004 at 4:42 PM
Wheres that cause i dont have an air compressor.
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dream it, build it, fiberglass it
Posted By: sam1
Date Posted: April 16, 2004 at 6:15 PM
i dont know where you are, but here theres a couple of engravers and shops that do only water jet cutting, sandblasting, and glass etching and that type of stuff. also, every decent auto body shop should have a sand blaster. im sure you can get them to sandblast something for you. you also may be able to rent one from somewhere like napa or something. not sure about that tho.
Posted By: kickerstang
Date Posted: April 17, 2004 at 11:08 AM
sand papers cheaper, but yes i do agree that blasting has a better look
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what!?!?! you want some??
Posted By: pureRF
Date Posted: April 17, 2004 at 6:52 PM
I live right outside atlanta. Ill call up some places and see. I might try the sand paper on a peice just for a test.
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dream it, build it, fiberglass it
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