What this is
A routed acrylic edge comes off the cut frosted and slightly cloudy. For most fabrication work that's fine — it's either hidden, painted over, or the part is utilitarian. But for visible edges on retail signage, awards, display fixtures and presentation work, the standard finish is flame polishing: a controlled flame passes over the cut edge, melting the surface microscopically smooth, leaving a glass-clear finished face.
Done right, flame-polished acrylic looks as if the edge was moulded that way — clear, smooth, no machine marks. Done wrong, it bubbles, burns or shows uneven gloss. We do this regularly enough that the technique is consistent across thicknesses and grades; cast acrylic gives the best results, extruded works but needs more care, and some coloured acrylics shift hue slightly at the flame surface.
Flame polishing pairs naturally with CNC routing on acrylic — the route gives a clean machined cut, the flame finishes it. For laser-cut acrylic the edge comes off polished already (a feature of the CO2 cutting process), so flame polish is rarely needed on laser work. The exception is thicker laser cuts that picked up a slight dimple at the edge, which flame-polish can correct.
For your enquiry, just tell us "flame polish all visible edges" or specify which edges of the part need the finish. We work it in to the quote per linear metre of finished edge.
Provisional · Confirmed on quoteFlame Polishing- Material
- —confirmed on quote
- Thickness range
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- Process
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- Tolerance
- —confirmed on quote
- Edge finish
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- Min / max sheet size
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- Typical lead time
- —confirmed on quote
Exact values confirmed when we quote your job.
FAQ
- How is flame-polished different from sanded or machined edge?
- Sanded gives a uniform matte finish — fine for utility work, looks intentional. Machined is the raw routed finish — slightly cloudy, machine-marked. Flame-polished is clear and glass-smooth — the finished look for visible edges in retail and signage.
- Can you flame-polish edges I've cut myself?
- Yes — for supplied parts, drop them off at Helensvale by appointment. We'll work from your pieces, finish the specified edges, and you collect or take delivery. Surface flame-polishing is a separate flat-fee process from our cutting workflow.
- How quick is a quote?
- Most quote requests come back within 1 business day, Mon-Fri. Simple trade jobs are usually faster during business hours. Complex jobs, supplied-material jobs or anything unusual may take longer — we'll tell you up front if so.
- Can I pick up or do you deliver?
- Both. Pickup is from Helensvale by appointment — we'll send the address when your job is ready. Local delivery covers the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Logan and Tweed Heads, quoted per job. Freight elsewhere in Australia on request.