How to Make Plastic Furniture
- 1). Design your piece of furniture by breaking it down into its constituent parts. A simple table could be a top with two sides that extend to the floor. Another table design might be a round top and base with a length of acrylic tube supporting the two pieces. Keep the design simple.
- 2). Measure the pieces you need to have cut by a plastic retailer. For a “U” shaped table you have a top and two sides. For a round table you have the diameter of the top and base and the diameter and length of the support tube.
- 3). Sand the cut edges of the plastic to remove any saw blade or cutting marks. Leave any protective film on the plastic to avoid accidentally scratching it. Use a 220-grit sandpaper to achieve a smooth edge for joining the plastic. Use finer grit sandpaper (400- to 600-grit) on any edges that will be polished. Wipe down all the material with a 100 percent cotton cloth to remove debris.
- 4). Fill the squeeze bottle applicator half way full of solvent cement. Remove any protective film from the cut plastic. With the “U” shaped table, attach the supports to the bottom surface of the table top. Clamp or double stick tape your gluing jig at a 90 degree angle so it holds the support in place. Line up the face of the table top with the sanded edge of the support. Run a thin line of cement along the inside joint where the two pieces meet. Allow it to dry for an hour and repeat the process on the other side. For round tables, center the acrylic tube on the circular top and glue. A gluing jig is not necessary. Repeat the process for the bottom piece.
- 5). Apply the polish to the exposed edges until you achieve a glass-like finish. Allow the table to sit for at least 36 hours before putting any weight on it.