polishing acrlyic

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Briney Dave

New member
I will be taking my classroom 240 apart sometime this month or early next. (moving to a bigger classroom) It is an acrylic tank so of course it has scratches on it.
Additionally, I have a good amount of coraline build up in places the old set up kept me from getting at very easily. And along the sand line before I removed the sand. (hard to scrap without blowing sand up on to the acrylic and scratching it worse.

I want to polish both the inside and outside scratchs out. As well as remove all the coraline. Most of the scratches are very fine but I am sure I will find some that are deeper than a hair

what is the best way to go about this. Is it an all by hand method or is there a safe polisher device??

what do I need to get in terms of liquid polishes, pads, etc??
also where should I go to get these items.

of course any words of wisedom too please

your pal
Briney
 
GEO had a presentation about acrylic at C-SEA and he recommended something called "Micro-mesh" for polishing acrylic to remove scratches or just to make the finish clearer.

I forgot the name of the supplier he suggested but it was an online vendor. I would try searching google for micro-mesh or micromesh.

He said there was a scratch removal kit that went from 1,000 grit to something like 20,000 grit. If you work your way from the lowest up to the finest you should have a perfectly clear tank.

As far as the coralline algae you could use muriatic acid to remove it quickly but requires lots of safety gear and people who are careful. If you plan on having the kids help then I would opt for vinegar and use it either straight or in a strong solution with water. The stronger acid, the quicker it will disolve the coralline.

HTH
-- Kevin
 
I did a google of micro mesh polishers and one of the very first to come up was a mechanical kit. I am guessing to be used with a drill or a polisher (didn't read it all yet)
is this what geo was talking about or am I about to melt my plastic???
 
Hi Kevin, that is the site I was on and speaking about. With this system you need to use a random orbit sander an angle polisher.

Did Geo use the power tools when he was polishing ?

I just did not want to toss down the 100 bucks and shipping for the kit if that is not what I should be using. It said that is finishes crystal clear and mentioned several different applications which sounds right to me
 
Hi again Dave,
When GEO was here he didn't polish anything it was just mentioned when someone asked about removing scratches. The page I linked to says "The following Micro-Mesh Kits have been developed for hand use. they are all versatile and large enough for major acrylic/plastic restoral projects. Perfect for restoring interior windows, lens covers, domes, or any acrylic surface."

I believe they can be used on an orbital sander (you can get one at Harbor Freight Tools for $10 if you want to save your arm)

There are cheaper places online for those kits. I just didn't go through all the results to compare pricing. Here is one and here's another. You just need to decide what grit and how many you will be buying and then compare prices online. You may want to do a search or two for acrylic or plastics and then see if the suppliers have polishing kits priced right.

I have no personal experience with polishing acrylic or micromesh at all but wish you the best of luck using it.

HTH
-- Kevin
 
which is easier to use....the hand or power tools ones.........thanks



<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9943630#post9943630 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sabreman0001
www.woodworker.com

use their search for micromesh....the kit is only like $20...

good luck...I can tell you first hand, it is not as easy as everyone trys to make it sound...
Click to expand...
 
I do not suggest using power tool micromesh...you really need to work perpendicular to the scratches, using a rotary tool will leave you swirls...and also power tools typically spin too fast.
 
I am glad I read that last post from you Sabreman, I was still going to buy the power tool kit due to the size of the tank. I was worried about the sander working too fast but no one seemed to think that who posted so far. I have some nice long flat sanding blocks (auto type) that I can mount the papers on to help me keep flat so I don't cut into the material too deep

thanks for that post and to everyone's suggestions
 
Here is another suggestion....go to lowes and buy a 3M sanding block (rubber)...then go to an autopart store and buy the sanding block sheets....say 600,800,1000,1500,2000.....the block is a little bigger than the kit and the sand paper attaches to it...I use this then go from 2000 with this to 3600 from the kit...all the way up to 12000..make sure you wet sand keep dipping the block in a bucket of water......good luck.
 
thanks for the tips. I just got my stock tanks to empty the tank into and built a couple rolling carts to make the move with.

Wish me luck

your pal
Briney
 
Briney,

From my research micro-mesh is the way to go. I was considering doing this at one point and spoke w/ a rep from the company that manufactures micro-mesh. They referred me to an outfit in Texas that sold kits for larger projects like yours. They were very willing to give advive, tips, etc. Have you already gotten something or What is your timetable? I can try to locate the info on this place but it would likely be this weekend before I could get to it.
 
Hi Norm, I called and talked with Micromesh this morning and they put me on a company called ever-clear. (I am sure that is spelled wrong) anyway, I called them and got voice mail. I had asked that they call me today but so far have not gotten back with me.
they are supposed to be a company that specializes in aquarium polishing and they also sell kits that includes polishing creams all the grits of paper, the sponge blocks cloths etc. That sounds like the way I will go just to have everything I need in one shot even if it costs a bit more. I am generally all about saving money but the ease of the kit is luring me in. plus they have how to directions that go with the kits

Here is their number 512-301 7562 if it is not the same as the one you had in mind let me know.

thanks so much for your help
Briney
 
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