# Sanding clear plastic yoyos **URL:** \ **Category:** Yo-Yo Mods and Maintenance\ **Created:** [February 23, 2024, 3:42am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/sanding-clear-plastic-yoyos/395096 "2024-02-23T03:42:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Winter.Wolf](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/winter.wolf/32/213286_2.png) [@Winter.Wolf](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Winter.Wolf)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2024, 3:42am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/sanding-clear-plastic-yoyos/395096/1 "2024-02-23T03:42:54Z")
I always wanted to see examples from the community of your personal plastic throws you guys sanded! I was thinking of sanding my own clear plastic yo-yos to see if it has the smooth machined PC appearance. It would be greatly appreciated! ---
**Author:** ![Scoogy](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/scoogy/32/292166_2.png) [@Scoogy](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Scoogy)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2024, 3:49am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/sanding-clear-plastic-yoyos/395096/2 "2024-02-23T03:49:08Z")
Dont mind me, but what is sanding?! ---
**Author:** ![jhb8426](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/jhb8426/32/631_2.png) [@jhb8426](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/jhb8426)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2024, 4:03am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/sanding-clear-plastic-yoyos/395096/3 "2024-02-23T04:03:31Z")
> [@Scoogy](#): > > what is sanding?! Sanding a surface with sandpaper. On yoyos it’s usually to remove the gloss finish so the yoyo will grind. ---
**Author:** ![Grendel](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/grendel/32/92975_2.png) [@Grendel](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Grendel)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2024, 4:09am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/sanding-clear-plastic-yoyos/395096/4 "2024-02-23T04:09:54Z")
Doc pop used to sell bolts in two variety’s from his good doctor bag. And the “Satin” or sanded was a couple bucks more. Makes the yo-yo grind better as I recall. ---
**Author:** ![Winter.Wolf](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/winter.wolf/32/213286_2.png) [@Winter.Wolf](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Winter.Wolf)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2024, 4:14am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/sanding-clear-plastic-yoyos/395096/5 "2024-02-23T04:14:32Z")
Thank you! Do you by any chance have a photo? I’ve been trying to find all over the forums for an example photo that wasn’t an opaque plastic throw ---
**Author:** ![Winter.Wolf](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/winter.wolf/32/213286_2.png) [@Winter.Wolf](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Winter.Wolf)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2024, 4:15am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/sanding-clear-plastic-yoyos/395096/6 "2024-02-23T04:15:40Z")
Blegh, sorry, reply button is bugging me ---
**Author:** ![Grendel](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/grendel/32/92975_2.png) [@Grendel](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Grendel)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2024, 4:18am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/sanding-clear-plastic-yoyos/395096/7 "2024-02-23T04:18:41Z")
I don’t have any pics but just get some fine grit paper and sand in one direction or the same direction to get the grain. ---
**Author:** ![Winter.Wolf](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/winter.wolf/32/213286_2.png) [@Winter.Wolf](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Winter.Wolf)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2024, 4:19am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/sanding-clear-plastic-yoyos/395096/8 "2024-02-23T04:19:43Z")
Oh! thank you! ---
**Author:** ![hsb](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/hsb/32/193274_2.png) [@hsb](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/hsb)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2024, 6:26am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/sanding-clear-plastic-yoyos/395096/9 "2024-02-23T06:26:49Z")
I was sure that I saw someone post a sanded plastic Butterfly, but Butterfly posts are a big haystack to search. I did find this by @anon5341354: > [@Frosty SW KN-KN for sale SOLD](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/frosty-sw-kn-kn-for-sale-sold/336617): > > I made this prototype Knick-KNack for Kyle, but we’ve decides since that we want to take things in a slightly different direction. It plays pretty well. The finish is not great as there are light scratches all over the faces. Nothing deep, I just difficulty sanding it for a perfect frosted finish. A perfect pocket throw. Specs: Diameter: 48mm Width: 29mm Weight: 48g. It has a press fitted 1/4" AL axle. It won’t come apart unless you wrench it apart with a lot of force. This one is $80 shi… Which may have started out like this (?): > [@Show some plastic yoyos you made](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/show-some-plastic-yoyos-you-made/301570/459): > > This latest Knick-KNack prototype was a 5mm diameter brass axle. Kyle was finding that the 1/4" AL axle prototype was dying somewhat prematurely into stalls. I figured a smaller diameter brass axle would fix that problem. I was right. No dying out in stalls and is much more powerful in general. ---
**Author:** ![Winter.Wolf](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/winter.wolf/32/213286_2.png) [@Winter.Wolf](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Winter.Wolf)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2024, 6:30am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/sanding-clear-plastic-yoyos/395096/10 "2024-02-23T06:30:25Z")
Gahhhhh they look so amazinggg, thank you so much! I just wanted to make sure how they looked before I decide to sand a yo-yo, i didnt want to have any regrets haha, I can’t thank enough! ---
**Author:** ![hsb](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/hsb/32/193274_2.png) [@hsb](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/hsb)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2024, 6:31am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/sanding-clear-plastic-yoyos/395096/11 "2024-02-23T06:31:01Z")
I’m not 100% sure that the frosted one started out clear, so that is worth confirming if possible. ---
**Author:** ![anon5341354](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3ab097/32.png) [@anon5341354](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/anon5341354)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2024, 7:40am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/sanding-clear-plastic-yoyos/395096/12 "2024-02-23T07:40:47Z")
You can sand plastic to give it a smooth, shiny appearance. You need to start with low grit to high grit. Do this order: 80 grit, 120, 240. Then wet sand at these grits: 400, 600, 1200, 1500, 1800, 2000, 3000, 4000, 6000, 8000, 12000. You will end up with this appearance, but its a lot of work. (Ignore the Bloodcell). ![1000003416](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/yoyoexpert1/original/4X/a/9/c/a9c1fca2ebf84141a6fde0e60e0d980008d584d8.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Winter.Wolf](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/winter.wolf/32/213286_2.png) [@Winter.Wolf](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Winter.Wolf)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2024, 7:59am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/sanding-clear-plastic-yoyos/395096/13 "2024-02-23T07:59:33Z")
Ahh, I was just wondering how a normal plastic throw such as the yo-yo you showed would look if it was frosted (e.g. a translucent poly carb instead of a Transparent look) ![IMG_5175](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/yoyoexpert1/original/4X/b/c/f/bcfdaf6277364911bb7b59837ec2cda43df239a7.jpeg) ![IMG_5174](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/yoyoexpert1/original/4X/5/0/2/502e1ba215fdcf0aef2210399e1c4b27bbca4536.jpeg) I haven’t seen any photos of turning a transparent yo-yo into a Translucent yo-yo until @hsb showed me your example of your Knick knack, I only like that appearance since it gives off a machined PC aesthetic, and it’s less sticky on the hands since, i apologize but I’m a stickler for finishes .\_. It’s very pretty!!! I love what you did with it! (With the frosting And polishing!) I just wanted to prepare how the finish product would look Just before I get started on frosting it Thank you!!! ---
**Author:** ![Winter.Wolf](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/winter.wolf/32/213286_2.png) [@Winter.Wolf](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Winter.Wolf)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2024, 8:01am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/sanding-clear-plastic-yoyos/395096/14 "2024-02-23T08:01:49Z")
![IMG_5177](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/yoyoexpert1/original/4X/c/1/2/c120d49760d666f6ca01ee213e7078af2ea1b25b.jpeg) I’m not lying, I took a SS before I sent and it’s not replying, I don’t know what I’m doing wrong .\_. ---
**Author:** ![anon5341354](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3ab097/32.png) [@anon5341354](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/anon5341354)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2024, 8:47am UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/sanding-clear-plastic-yoyos/395096/15 "2024-02-23T08:47:07Z")
Ah sorry. I misunderstood what you were aiming for. ---
**Author:** ![Nic\_from\_Adelaide](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/nic_from_adelaide/32/272038_2.png) [@Nic\_from\_Adelaide](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Nic_from_Adelaide)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2024, 12:19pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/sanding-clear-plastic-yoyos/395096/16 "2024-02-23T12:19:30Z")
For satin finish plastic I would use 000 steel wool. Sandpaper might be too easy to gouge chunks out ---
**Author:** ![Shwa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/shwa/32/108351_2.png) [@Shwa](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Shwa)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2024, 12:22pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/sanding-clear-plastic-yoyos/395096/17 "2024-02-23T12:22:58Z")
Haha! I had the same question a while back…. If your reply is right after the person you are replying to, that little icon doesn’t carry forward to the post. Weird but by design I believe. ---
**Author:** ![Nic\_from\_Adelaide](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/nic_from_adelaide/32/272038_2.png) [@Nic\_from\_Adelaide](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Nic_from_Adelaide)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2024, 1:14pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/sanding-clear-plastic-yoyos/395096/18 "2024-02-23T13:14:35Z")
I suppose a high end polycarb might be blasted to get the best finish, but frosted texture is usually related to the materials used making moulds. Anything between sand and volcanic ash. A guy my bro used to work with made big cash on the side making moulds for barbecue tool handles in his backyard ---
**Author:** ![Errant.Giraffe](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/errant.giraffe/32/283519_2.png) [@Errant.Giraffe](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Errant.Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2024, 1:46pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/sanding-clear-plastic-yoyos/395096/19 "2024-02-23T13:46:54Z")
I did it to one of my K2 Crystals. And yeah, makes it way less sticky. I like it. I used a fine grit sandpaper. Maybe 400? 800? I forget exactly. ![IMG_2215](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/yoyoexpert1/original/4X/4/0/9/409cdafe5f49e0ab21448f82b2759d7f2290d19e.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Winter.Wolf](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forums.yoyoexpert.com/winter.wolf/32/213286_2.png) [@Winter.Wolf](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/u/Winter.Wolf)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2024, 7:36pm UTC](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/sanding-clear-plastic-yoyos/395096/20 "2024-02-23T19:36:13Z")
It looks very pretty!! Thank you so much! I can’t wait to try it out : D [Next page](https://forums.yoyoexpert.com/t/sanding-clear-plastic-yoyos/395096.md?page=2)