Buffing acrylic

[cujo6984]

you have to use the sanding kit first the novus alone will not remove the scratch

 

[madmike]

If it is a really big area and deep scratches I suggest getting some large sheets of fine grit sand paper at a auto paint shop (they usually have 3m paper up to about 2000grit) and use a powered orbital sander. Be sure to keep the material wet and cool at all times! Then go over it with the micromesh by hand, then finish off with a powered buffer with the novus products.

I picked up a heavily scratched 220g tank for dirt cheap and completely restored it to new....took almost 40 hours but it looks great now!

 

[Amp2020]

Here's what I have done to restore my clients tanks back to new. Scratches on the inside can easily be removed with a couple of wet sand paper sheets. Start with an 800 grit until the scratches are gone and move up to 2,000 grit. I use 800, 1000, 1500, and 2000 to finish. Making large jumps between grit sizes will require much more sanding to accomplish the job. Yes, 2000 grit will leave lots of scratches on the inside but you can't see them with water in the tank. Don't worry about these little scratches unless you are about to sell the tank. In that case use a buffer with the Novus compounds to finish it to a perfect gloss. On the out side, the scratches are usually very shallow and I start with 1000 grit and move up to 5000. Then use Novus 3,2, and 1 with a car buffer. I just bought a 7" Variable Speed Polisher from Harbor Frieght and can't wait to use it on my next tank. Should make things a lot faster.http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=92623

 

[madmike]

I used that harbor freight POS and hated it! It would never stay consistent speed. I bought a dewault buffer that will go down to 1000 rpm so I never burn the material.

 

[jbird69]

I used that harbor freight POS and hated it! It would never stay consistent speed. I bought a dewault buffer that will go down to 1000 rpm so I never burn the material.

Harbor freight and POS are synonymus. You get what you pay for.

 

[terri_ann]

Thanks all! I think I have it...on the inside must use the sanding (grit of varying sizes) sheets, keeping them wet while using. Can finish the inside off with Novus using polisher. As far as I know, no scratches on the outside ;-) Thanks again!!