Hey Guys,
I just turned my fisrt reel seat insert. It was a celluloid pen blank. When I was wet sanding it on the lathe I noticed that when the lathe stopped that the some of the water absorbed into the insert. Is celluloid different than acrylic? The flyrod is going to be used for saltwater. I actually turned two inserts, so on one I put some tru-oil and the other I was thinking about coating it with Threadmaster. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Celluloid and acrylic needs no type of finish. Just wet sand to 400 grit and if you have some micro mesh start off at 2400 grit and work up the seven grits up to 12000. If you don't have MM wet sand to 400 or 600 grit and polish on a buffing wheel with Tripoli, then white diamond. One more way is to wet sand to 400 or 600 grit then polish with an automotive scratch remover polish. You can put a coat or two of wax after but it isn't necessary.

Right, it won't soak up anything and will only need periodic buffing to retain a high degree of luster. You don't want to put Tru-Oil or epoxy on it.

My method is similar to Lance's but perhaps a few steps shorter. Just sand through all the various grades up through 400, 600 and 800 in SIC wet/dry paper. Then switch to a loose wheel with good old fashioned DICO Plastic Compound (blue) and lightly buff. The shine will amaze you. That's all there is to it.

...........

Pretty much the same here I use some Hut liguid plastic polish on a cloth and hit it while on the lathe and it looks likee glass!

Mike (Southgate, MI)
If I don't want to, I don't have to and nobody can make me (except my wife) cuz I'm RETIRED!!

thanks for the input. I wetsanded then used the auto polish, I was pleased with the results. I guess I can polish off the tru-oil or would it be o.k. to leave it on?

i was advised one time that some of the acrylics/celluloid/etc were hydroscopic. it was not determined which ones did this. i have used them without any finish and i have cast some in polyester as well. i am no scientist,but i dont believe it is necessary to put a finish on them. if you take off the tru oil you can get a higher luster. any of the plastic polishes work well on the lathe as well as a white block on a buffer. sand it at least to 800 grit and it is not necessary to wet sand it if you have good paper and lower rpms. email if you have any questions