Polishing Micarta ?

[01dlx]

Hi all , I have a Jess Horn with Micarta handles that have some dullness and light scratches in them , is it possible to buff this out with a spiral sewn wheel and a buffing compound ? Thanks , Dave

 

[flatgrinder]

Do you have a picture?

 

[butcher_block]

that should work but i would use white or pink buffing compound and light touch
if you over heat it /burn about all that would be left would be to rehandle
you could also hand sand to like 1500 wet/dry and let pocket time "buff" the knife for you

 

[Bufford]

Is it paper micarta or linen micarta? Paper micarta will shine up more than the linen due to the size of the fibers. However, both are similar. Try sanding it by hand down to 320 or 400 grit. Go easy on the buffer, if it is black micarta stick with the black buffing compound. Micarta only gets to a dull luster, so no matter how long it is buffed it doesn't get much more luster.

I found that when I used green chrome compound on a black handle it would load up the pores of the micarta giving it an ugly unfinished green color. I had to hand sand it again before returning to the buffer.

 

[Alan Molstad]

I found that when I used green chrome compound on a black handle it would load up the pores of the micarta giving it an ugly unfinished green color.

That is a very good thing for me to learn....thanks!

 

[WadeF]

Is sanding Micarta dangerous? I thought I heard it can release dangerous fumes, especially if using a power sander.

 

[J85909266]

Is sanding Micarta dangerous? I thought I heard it can release dangerous fumes, especially if using a power sander.

I'm pretty sure G-10 is the one that is dangerous, not Micarta.

 

[01dlx]

Hey all , thanks for the replys , I can try to get a close -up pic but , photographer I'm not .

I see now that Sal Glesser moderates this forum , I also posted this on the forum at the Spyderco home site ,sorry if you guys had to read this post in three different forums

I'll try to get some pics up tomorrow and I really value your opinion , Thanks again and sorry if you had to read this more than once , Dave

 

[Alan Molstad]

Is sanding Micarta dangerous? .

All I know is that the power sander puts a TON of Micarta dust in the air....and that cant be good for us.

I always think that it wont be so bad "this time" but about 2 seconds after I start to sand the Micarta I have to stop and look for my dust mask.

The truth is, I even use my dust mask when I hand sand Micarta...I also use one of them big box fans to suck the dust out of the shop.
That darn Micarta sure makes a very nice handle, but it is a dusty thing to work with.

 

[butcher_block]

fermalihide Sp
not good to be breathign also do you realy want canvas, farbic, or paper in you lungs ot epoxy dust you can see how it wares on a knife
bet you it doesnt go any place quick in your lungs
best of my infor replacing your lungs it not as easy or cheap as a good resperatior i have a duel canester 3m i think best 30 i ever spent in the shop

 

[Johnny11758]

I've had great success rubbing scratches out of Bob Dozier's micarta handles by using a dry never-used Brillo pad and restoring a nice shine with mineral oil.

 

[01dlx]

Sorry for the delay guys , been busy as hell .

My ISP (Comcast ) isnt letting me upload pics via FTP . I will gladly email the pics for you to have a look . My photography skills are poor but I think you can see what I want to remove from the handles.


blue72@comcast.net



THANKS again , Dave