How to remove Acrylic scratches?

[kimha]

Acrylic Gurus,

I just finished removing scratches on my acrylic tank with very fine sand paper. I am polishing it now using the buffing compounds from 3M. After applying the buffing compounds, the acrylic looks blurry when the buffing coupounds dry up. This is where I am not sure what to do next.

Can I just wipe the dry buffing compounds off with water and then with Vinegar to remove the toxic chemical?

thanks for your help.

Kimha.

 

[Racenrich]

how fine was the sandpaper.....i did this myself and probably took me about 2 weeks worth of time to get it to shine like new again...granite, it took some elbow grease, but turned out nicely.....still have the blurryness...you need finer sand paper and time.....take your time is all i can say...

 

[hansnfrans]

The acrylic aquarium repair kits generally start with 1800grit and work up to 12000 for the final polishing. Please tell me that you started with 1800grit or higher.......

 

[hansnfrans]

BTW: you might wanna PM Doug Lehman. As far as I know, he is the acrylic guru here.

 

[kimha]

I started out with 1500 grits to get rid of deep scratches. I just found out I need some good but mild polish compounds like Novus #3, #4 or P21S Paint Cleanser. Now I need to find out where to buy these things locally.

 

[hansnfrans]

I tried the 3 part novus system and I can tell you that you'll be there a while. That is why I ordered up an acrylic repair kit (made by Pentair) for $20 from PA. You can use this sandpaper in the tank while it's full and runnin' .

 

[kimha]

Thanks Hansfrans. I will check out the repair kit you mentioned.

 

[zoebeaglezoe]

I used this 1 micron liquid abrasive from ever clear I have an extra brand new bottle if you want to buy it $10.00 . also I went to menards and bought a small hand held car electric buffer and a lambs wool cap and it worked great

 

[kimha]

I like to give that a try, but you live too far away.