Removing Acrylic Scratches

phishx

phishx

In Memoriam
im trying to remove more then a few scratches in my tank PRIOR to set-up, only issue is, it really dont seem to be working... im using a NOVUS kit 3-2-1 and a micro fiber cloth... any tips anyone cares to lend on the topic? i really dont seem to be making much ground here and was hoping to have this puppy up and running by x-mas :rolleyes:


thx again
 
would i be able to get a buffing wheel at HOMEDEPOT and be able to expect nice to great results? or would the buffer + the compound just hurt the acrylic? i just dont see the results i was hoping for, especially since i just spent $40+ in multi-stage acrylic scratch removal compound. + mega elbow grease
 
I started out polishing scratches with a microfiber cloth on a 400 gallon tank and then i said "f" this! Took a trip to good ole home depot , got the ryobi buffing wheel ,more beer , and busted out a polished tank!
 
LMAO.... nice, off to homedepot.... i will post pics b4 and after... prolly talk to the GF and see if i can get some beer as well ;)
 
wow...pretty much night and day with this thing... BUT it still wont remove the heavier scratches... im assuming there must be some other tactic for the deeper ones.... anyone?

BUT the buffer removes ALL the other smaller scratches to perfection!
hey saltycreefer... maybe i got the wrong kinna beer, most likely dats why the deeper scratches wont come out :lol:
 
Once the tank is filled with water you won't be able to see most of the scratches, unless algie starts growing. I did two acrylic tanks and they are pretty clear once filled. I say just fill the thing.
 
get the clear for life scratch removal kit. it has wet/dry sand paper or you can just go out to home depot and pick up wet/dry sand paper. work with the larger grains and move smaller, then work over with the novus, try it, you'll love it.
 
i dug out deep scratches with an orbital sander and micromesh....I talked about in my thread (click my red house). My tank looked like a cat's scratching post when I got it.
 
wow... nice project mmoore0803... please tell me about that rock wall u made, i haven't had a chance tpo read the whole thread, getting ready to go meet Sam and Frank.... what is the purpose of that thing? is it only for looks? what did you use to make it? was it hard to apply? what keeps water from getting behind it and causing a waste collection raising unwanted levels?

my tank looked like urs when i brought it home... after a LONG drunkin night till 4 in the morning ( thanks to saltycreefer :lol: ) this puppy looks AMAZING! pretty much every scratch removed... even buffed and polished the outside of the tank, after that, massive difference... i really didn't think there would be so many minor scratches on the outside as well as the internal...

i was thinking about wet sanding the deeper scratches, but then i remember the effect of what happens to a mirror when you bend the image, you get that carnival fun house effect... dont think i want my fish doing that every time they swim by that pocket that was wet sanded... :fish1: i pretty much applied a generous amount of NOVUS and buffed till the liquid turned to a more powder substance, then became clear... then i removed the remaining residue with a clean towel. i will most likely keep buffing the tank until i have used the entire bottles of the NOVUS... but i really dont think it can get any better then this :D

thx for the link fish590a, but i think im done buying scratch removers... my goal is up and running by X-mas... ;)
 
Phishx, glad it came out for you. I couldn't get the deep scratches out either but once I filled the tank it looked almost new. Another product I love to use on acrylic tanks is a sea visions magnet. They have different grades of scratch removal pads that you can use on a full tank of water. They work great!
 
thx again saltycreefer... i will most def look into that... im just trying to solve some refug issues before i fill this puppy... tty guys later... gonna go get my MH and cube :D
 
The rock wall is made out of Pond Foam...lots of guys have used it successfully for years without issue. Basically I did this so I wouldn't have to remove the scratches on the back of the tank (it was bad) and it reminds me more of the reefs I've dove over the years.....plus not many people use it so it just adds to the aesthetics.

Post pix of your tank so we can see all the hard work (believe me...I know ;))
 
Did you use power tools to remove scratches and buff the acrylic? If so, what did you use? How about Novus or cleaning compounds in combination?
 
i didnt use any cleaning compounds, well, except NOVUS 1 is a spray on cleaner... i used a RYOBI 6" Orbital Buffer *(HomeDepot $25) best $25 i ever spent... the tank looks amazing... honestly pretty much like new... a few deeper scratches i have had a bit of an issue with, but for what im concerned... they can stay, no biggie... to tell the truth, the tank was really not in the best condition when i got it, and the former owner had it replaced BECAUSE of the scratches... Tony if you see ur tank now, you will kick your-self in the @s$ :lol:
 
Wow, would like to see some pics. I tried novus on another acrylic tank, but was not happy with results. My mistake I only used Novus2, it did not remove enough scratches. I still have some leftover Novus2 that you are welcome to have if you need more. And show us some pics, come on! :)
 
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