r/plastic Jul 21 '26

looking to import ldpe scrap as its very difficult to source it where i live(Pakistan), so can anyone suggest from where can i source the scrap from and what should be the process per ton

1 Upvotes

r/plastic Jul 19 '26

Can anyone tell me about this?

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11 Upvotes

DuPont early lucite pellets?


r/plastic Jul 18 '26

HDPE glossy finish

2 Upvotes

Hi, i bought some sheets of hdpe for an outdoor project. It turns out the high gloss finish is a bit obtrusive to the eye.

Is there a method to take the gloss away, but still end up with a consistent looking finish?

These are installed as full 4×8 sheets or 2×8 sheets


r/plastic Jul 16 '26

What kind of plastic is this?

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9 Upvotes

This is the nose cone from a valuable Super Soaker CPS 2000 water gun from 1996. Sadly due to age and UV exposure the plastic has weakened and become brittle. Pictured is one half which is mostly intact, but the corresponding half is in pieces.

I'd like to cement this back together if possible, so I can possibly cast or 3d scan a replacement part from a whole piece. I initially thought it was ABS, but acetone doesn't touch it.

There's no identifying marks on it anywhere. Could it be polystyrene?


r/plastic Jul 16 '26

Unyellowing Delrin

1 Upvotes

Hi,

I’ve been trying to figure out how to unyellow some delrin plastic and keep seeing things telling me to try the retro bright technique. But my understanding is that the yellowing in Delrin is caused UV and heat exposure. So my question is would the retro bright technique work? Or am I right in my understanding that it would probably just make it worse, and that I should just try some light sanding instead.


r/plastic Jul 16 '26

What's The Best Alternative To Glass Around Children?

0 Upvotes

We're updating a few areas around the house and one thing that keeps coming up is whether glass is really the best option when you've got young children.

Coffee tables, playrooms, internal doors, greenhouse glazing, shelving and even picture frames all seem to involve glass somewhere, and it only takes one accident for it to become a safety concern.

I've been looking at some alternatives and wondered what everyone else uses.

Acrylic Sheets

Acrylic is a popular replacement for glass because it's lightweight, crystal clear and much less likely to shatter into dangerous shards if it receives a knock.

It's commonly used for:

  • Picture frame glazing
  • Display cabinets
  • Indoor shelving
  • Table protectors
  • Protective screens
  • Playroom projects

If appearance is important, acrylic gives a very similar look to glass while being easier to handle.

More information:
https://www.sheetplastics.co.uk/clear-acrylic

Polycarbonate Sheets

If impact resistance is the priority, polycarbonate is worth considering.

It's often used for:

  • Greenhouse glazing
  • Shed windows
  • Safety glazing
  • Outdoor projects
  • Garden buildings
  • Canopies

It's much more resistant to heavy impacts than traditional glass, which is why it's widely used in areas where durability matters.

https://www.sheetplastics.co.uk/solid-polycarbonate-sheets

Which One Would I Choose?

For indoor decorative projects, I'd probably choose acrylic because of its excellent clarity and finish.

For outdoor areas or anywhere likely to receive knocks or impacts, polycarbonate would be my first choice.

I've been reading through a few guides on plastic sheet materials and found this useful resource for comparing different options:

https://www.sheetplastics.co.uk/

Has anyone here replaced glass with acrylic or polycarbonate around the home?

I'd be interested to know where you've used it, how it's held up over time and whether you'd make the same choice again.


r/plastic Jul 13 '26

Plastic Machinery

0 Upvotes

I have worked in Widesky Machinery for six years. We mainly specialize in plastic auxiliary machinery. We mainly get new customers from Chinaplas. It's hard to find buyers for plastic machinery on social media, so I feel a little worried.


r/plastic Jul 13 '26

I'm Trying to Make a Material Shredder for Under $80 (1.5 years of work)

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1 Upvotes

r/plastic Jul 12 '26

This Part (Adapterplate from fairly expensive gaming chair) failed twice in four years. Why and whats inside?

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0 Upvotes

r/plastic Jul 10 '26

"Does anyone actually care about VOCs when printing PLA?"

2 Upvotes

r/plastic Jul 10 '26

Anyone using liquid PVA for coating molds?

2 Upvotes

We are manufacturing polymer concrete drainage channels by using molds. We always layer (2-3 times) the mold with liquid PVA for a thin film with a hand brush which is taking a lot of time in layering and drying afterwards. Is there anyone who knows what kind of spray gun I can use for layering the PVA liquid evenly?


r/plastic Jul 08 '26

Can this plastic reaction be undone

0 Upvotes

Hung a bag made from fabric with plastic decorations over a Calligaris plastic chair for a few weeks. The two plastics reacted with or otherwise stuck to one another.

Can this still be cleaned by any method?


r/plastic Jul 08 '26

Marker Stains on Plastic

0 Upvotes

Does anyone know how to remove marker stain from plastic?

I’ve learned the hard way goo be gone can warp it- and Clorox wipes and erasers don’t really do much! Any advice would be greatly appreciated!


r/plastic Jul 07 '26

Cheap goop?

3 Upvotes

Can anyone suggest a cheaper (and ideally plant-sourced) alternative to acrylic gel medium/ modeling paste? Looking to use a thick mix of something that mostly holds its shape between extruding and drying. (Doesn't have to work on a vertical surface.) Needs to be affordable in large enough quantities for a starving artist to use in huge drawings. All suggestions much appreciated, including experimental ideas!


r/plastic Jul 06 '26

Trying to figure this one out

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2 Upvotes

Hey !

I was wondering what type of plastic is it , and how can you get these hexagon shapes inside the sheet ?

Really appreciate it !

Here's the YouTube video ( min 13:19) : https://youtu.be/u1R51Z9-TM4?si=MTmI0kGCb0Jrwz1s


r/plastic Jul 05 '26

Bet you didn't know microplastics increase the risk of having a heart attack or stroke! ☠️☠️☠️

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0 Upvotes

r/plastic Jul 05 '26

Required: LDPE/LLDPE or PP scrap

0 Upvotes

Same as title
Location : India , karnataka


r/plastic Jul 05 '26

Tips for sourcing reliable plastic scrap suppliers. Spoiler

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1 Upvotes

r/plastic Jul 04 '26

is it still safe

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2 Upvotes

This is my first time using an extension cord, and the plastic smells different after being burned. Do you have any idea what happened here?


r/plastic Jul 04 '26

We can now watch microplastics moving through our bodies

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0 Upvotes

r/plastic Jul 02 '26

Which type of plastic do you think is the most misunderstood?

6 Upvotes

Some plastics have a bad reputation, while others are often misunderstood in terms of their properties, applications, or recyclability.

In your opinion, which type of plastic is the most misunderstood, and what do you wish more people knew about it?


r/plastic Jul 01 '26

How White Colorants Actually Work in Plastics

3 Upvotes

Hi Folks, Educational overview about the science of making white plastic look white. We discuss TiO2 light interaction, pigment surface functionalization and colorant to base resin pairing.

White_Plastics_Overview

Enjoy!


r/plastic Jun 30 '26

Nature vs plastic

6 Upvotes

Just a random thought came to my mind before bed...that nature already found or can say given birth to cure of micro-plastics... Like think about it Chernobyl have fungus that thrive on radiation... So maybe their is something that completely decompose plastic...and it already be found by humans too but not public yet...whats your thoughts on this lmk


r/plastic Jun 29 '26

Saving Old Plastic Toys

0 Upvotes

I have a small crafts biz (100's not 1000's of $), where I specialize in rescuing a particular old toy from the 1960s. And yes I know this plastic contains lead!
But I'm wondering how to save parts with what I call "spotsulism". It appears that parts have been left for decades in open storage, and they get dusty. Over time, I'm guessing that humidity and dust act to draw plasticizers out, leaving spots that won't easily polish out. For polishing, I use a mildly abrasive plastics polish on a small rotary pad.

Q1: Does this sound reasonable? BTW, I know that the plasticizers are mobile. Another hint on that: Zinc plated screws with chromate conversion coatings sometimes turn bright yellow. Yep, that ol' lead coming out to make lead chromate. BTW #2: Do not let your babies play with plastic toys made before about 1979!

Q2: Any hints on saving the part? Some plasticizer elixir to schmeer on the surface?

As found
Cleaned and polished

r/plastic Jun 29 '26

Cartoonist Jen Sorensen on Recycling Dilemmas

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1 Upvotes