I finally got my 380g tank up and going. I'll post some pics later. The tank has some minor scratches and I have a scratch removal kit coming. I was just wondering how difficult it is to get these scratches out while working them underwater. Anybody ever had to do this? Any tips or pointers?
polishing scratches from acrylic - underwater
- Thread starter jmccown
- Start date
MattG
Premium Member
i have taken out a few scratches using the rainbow kit under water. I couldnt really get out all of the fine scratches but could make it so that you could only see them if you look at the tank at a steep angle.
No tips really. Just expect it to take FOREVER. Also when going through the different grits try not to extend any further past the scratch then needed. I extended it out about an inch all around and it just made extra work.
Good luck with it.
No tips really. Just expect it to take FOREVER. Also when going through the different grits try not to extend any further past the scratch then needed. I extended it out about an inch all around and it just made extra work.
Good luck with it.
MattG
Premium Member
I didnt use any type of polishes (ex novus). I just used a series of different grit sand papers (starting with the most coarse needed to sand below the scratch). I dont see how you could use the polishes underwater.
Heres a link to the kit i used.
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=LG-SRK&Category_Code=
It took me probably 2-3 hours for a good size scratch. Of course i took breaks because my arm was getting tired.
Heres a link to the kit i used.
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=LG-SRK&Category_Code=
It took me probably 2-3 hours for a good size scratch. Of course i took breaks because my arm was getting tired.
I've done this with the rainbow kit and agree with the others who have already posted.
It's a pita, and you'll be very sore when you are finally done.
And there will probably still some fine scratches visible.
The front panel of my 40G *did* look improved, though, so it was worth it for me.
When I first started, I thought I'd ruined my tank because it looked so much worse, but after going through all the levels, all was good!
No effects on the inhabitants (only fish, softies and LPS).
It's a pita, and you'll be very sore when you are finally done.
And there will probably still some fine scratches visible.
The front panel of my 40G *did* look improved, though, so it was worth it for me.
When I first started, I thought I'd ruined my tank because it looked so much worse, but after going through all the levels, all was good!
No effects on the inhabitants (only fish, softies and LPS).
No magnet.
The rainbow kit comes with a sponge that you wrap the "sandpaper" around.
No dry hands with this one!
The magnet method sounds great, but they only list 2 types of grid, while the rainbow kit has a whole bunch.
I read somewhere here that someone had attached one of the finest grids to their magnet and it kept his acrylic free of fine scratches just by cleaning the panels with it.
Sounded great to me, but I've since switched to a larger glass tank.
The rainbow kit comes with a sponge that you wrap the "sandpaper" around.
No dry hands with this one!
The magnet method sounds great, but they only list 2 types of grid, while the rainbow kit has a whole bunch.
I read somewhere here that someone had attached one of the finest grids to their magnet and it kept his acrylic free of fine scratches just by cleaning the panels with it.
Sounded great to me, but I've since switched to a larger glass tank.
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