scratches in acrylic
- Thread starter calypso1
- Start date
Rhodophyta
New member
I have used this stuff. The Novus products at the top of the list.
http://www.marineandreef.com/shoppro/cleaning-products_polish.htm
I have not tried the other brands which may be as good, but I was very pleased with the Novus results. Don't forget to clean the tank first, especially if you don't know its history and a previous owner may have used a glass cleaner on it which leaves a coating.
http://www.marineandreef.com/shoppro/cleaning-products_polish.htm
I have not tried the other brands which may be as good, but I was very pleased with the Novus results. Don't forget to clean the tank first, especially if you don't know its history and a previous owner may have used a glass cleaner on it which leaves a coating.
fade2black
Premium Member
It really depends on how deep the scratches are. Are they light surface scratches or can you feel them with your fingernail? If they can be felt then micromesh is your best option. If they are very light, then Novus will work, but only if they are very small and light scratches.
This is the kit I have and it works great.
http://www.sisweb.com/micromesh/acrylic_plastic_hand_kits.htm#nc781
This is the kit I have and it works great.
http://www.sisweb.com/micromesh/acrylic_plastic_hand_kits.htm#nc781
fade2black
Premium Member
Did you go through each grit thoroughly? It takes a lot of hard work, but it will look almost new when done. if it still looks hazy try going back to about 5000 grit and going over it again. Are you using a cross-hatch pattern? Never use the micro-mesh and sand in circles.
Rhodophyta
New member
It is important to be sure the plastic is clean and free of residues from using the wrong kinds of cleaners (e.g. glass cleaners) before removing the scratches.
fade2black
Premium Member
While I agree it should be cleaned first, using micro-mesh is going to remove any cleaners the first time you use it.
Just an FYI, glass cleaner is the worst thing you can use to clean acrylic. Try Novus #1 in the blue bottle.
Rhodophyta
New member
While that has been said before, it can't be repeated too often. If the fine scratches are on the outside of the tank, there is a good chance someone at some time used a glass cleaner on it.
fade2black
Premium Member
Glass cleaner is not going to cause scratches. The reason glass cleaner is not recommended is because it can cause crazing and fogging of the acrylic due to the alcohol, ammonia, etc it contains. This is especially true on extruded acrylic. Also, flame polishing highly stresses the acrylic and if you put alcohol on it can cause a catastrophic failure of the joint when using extruded. Cell cast is more stable, but alcohol can still cause an immediate crazing of the joint. The only way a cleaner will cause scratches is if you use an abrasive cleaner or and abrasive cloth to wipe it off.
Rhodophyta
New member
Sounds like we both agree on the important issue which is that glass cleaners should not be used on acrylic. Whether it's crazing or microscratches, I'll leave to the manufacturers and researchers to say. If you're curious you can look into it and see what they say, but the important thing is, to repeat, don't use the glass cleaners in the first place and you won't have to debate what is wrong with your acrylic.
Brad Black
In Memoriam
Ok here's a question for all of you. What type of micromesh/sandpaper is safest to use inside the tank with water and inhabitants? Thats the ten million-dollar question. Personally I think as long as they don't contain metals or oils(hydorcarbons) they should be ok. Seems to me that they will either sink harmlessly to the substrate or get removed by the skimmer if waterbourn.
Whats the concensus?
Bye the way I have the same hand kits as the others and they all work great as long as you follow directions. If still hazy, backup a few grits and try harder. I have used mine inside the tank extensively by the way and notice no problems with the inhabitants.
Whats the concensus?
Bye the way I have the same hand kits as the others and they all work great as long as you follow directions. If still hazy, backup a few grits and try harder. I have used mine inside the tank extensively by the way and notice no problems with the inhabitants.
Rhodophyta
New member
I have seen it at most pet shops. You can also get it at auto stores, and on line from many reef places and even others not related to our hobby. You can even order it from the link earlier in this thread.
fade2black
Premium Member
Where do you think I get my info from? I have some close ties to acrylic manufacturers since I have been fabricating acrylic tanks for over 4 years now. Do a search on here and you'll find the same thing I just told you. This info comes straight from personal experience as well as many other tank fabricators experiences. If you look at the MSDS for Novus polish and glass cleaner to see the ingredients, you will see that glass cleaner is no more likely to cause a scratch than Novus is. Again, they are NOT scratches.
fade2black
Premium Member
How much is it bowing and what are the dimensions? What thickness is the acrylic used?
Brad Black
In Memoriam
I have a 100 flatback hex acyrlic and mine bows also about what yours does 60" long). I have been told this is normal, lots of reading seems to verify this. I have also read about some horror stories with sudden failures with acrylics, especially after having significant pressure applied from the outside. It scares the heck out of me but until I get into a larger glass tank I just hope for the best. I also notice when I clean it it moves -in and out from the pressure I apply. Not a lot, but noticeably. I try to be careful and apply equal outside pressure when I clean the inside. My tank is an aquaclear. Got it used.
Hey Fade2black-what do you think of these rumors with catosprophic failures in acrylic tanks? Whats your experience? Sorry to hijak this thread but these are things I would like to know also. Thanks.
Hey Fade2black-what do you think of these rumors with catosprophic failures in acrylic tanks? Whats your experience? Sorry to hijak this thread but these are things I would like to know also. Thanks.
fade2black
Premium Member
3/8" is pretty thin for a tank that size. No wonder it is bowing. For a tank that size (length and height) 1/2" would have been an absolute minimum. It is really right on the edge of 1/2 to 3/4", but I tend to overbuild just to be safe. Some bowing is going to happen and shouldn't be a cause for concern. Those joints are pretty strong if the tank was built properly. I would keep an eye on the joints and if they start crazing badly then I would start to worry. One of the great things about acrylic is that it can bend without breaking.
I think catastrophic failure of a tank is directly related to a bad build job or someone trying to cut costs and get away with thinner acrylic. Any reputable tank builder will over-engineer any tank. No one wants a phone call from an irate customer with 150 gallons of saltwater on their floor (I know I don't!). Just get references and ask lots of questions. That will give you a good idea if the builder knows what they are doing. There are many many tanks out there that have been full of water for years and never had any issues. Look at the tanks at the zoo for instance. Just about every one is acrylic and none of them leak. You will hear horror stories about tanks failing, but that is human nature to go online and complain about a problem or try to find a fix. How many people go online just to post "My tank is great and never leaks"?
