Can it be fix?????

[malmom]

I have posted about my tank being scratched on several post but I have not really gotten any response but a few. I bought a 300 gallon for the equipment but now that I have the huge tank I would really like to set it up image that but the guy used a razor blade to take off the coralline algae:evil: so of course it is scratched inside and some how it is scratched outside probably from the magnet. I just don't know if it can be fixed the scratches are everywhere and a lot of them and a lot are deep. I have included a picture of some of the scratches. Please give me your opinion and maybe some advice on where to start or if anyone does this as a hobby or business?????

 

[mmkeeper]

acrylic or glass?

 

[malmom]

Oh sorry, It is acrylic.....

 

[packer]

by the looks of it, I think it would be alot of work. You can use the novus as you asked before, and I would suggest a drummel tool with a fine felt buffer or something similar. Just dont turn up the speed of the buffer really high and dont push to hard or you will make a large gouge. It does take some finesse and practice to do it this way but by the looks of it, you will be good at it by the time you are done. If it is like that the whole tank surface. I doubt I would go thru the trouble. It would take alot of novus and even alot more time.

 

[DonW]

You wont get that those with novus, you could buff until your 90 and still have scratches. Get some micromesh in different grits all the way to 12000. Use it wet then do the final buffing with novus.

Don

 

[LakeEd]

If this is something covering the majority of the surface...I suggest using either a neumatic or electric car buffer. Most auto parts dealers have good SOFT quality pads for buffers, along with various "grit" of polishing liquid to use with them.

Just ensure after you have completed all polishing, you rinse completely. I recommend using either Muric Acid and/or White vinegar for rinishing...then do a final fresh water rinse.

 

[DonW]

Car buffer will heat and blur the acrylic. Those are deep scratches. Micromesh can be used dry to remove the majority with a random orbit sander then finished with wet sanding to 12000. Then use the car buffer to polish only. When you wet sanding go one direction with one grit the the other with the next grit until you get to 12000. Dont go in circles.

https://www.micro-surface.com/default.cfm?page_id=200

 

[LakeEd]

I picked up my 180 at a SUPER price, because it was scratched (but not quite as badly as pictured above)...and buffing worked well. I will admit that it is WORK (weight and motion of the buffer), and being lazy I didn't go very long in any one place...which is probably why I had no problems with bluring.

I also started my buffing on the inside bottom of the tank knowing this wouldn't be seen no matter how it turned out...just to see how it worked. I would suggest this tactic as well on the above tank with any means you decide to try... so you get used to what you have to do in an area that doesn't matter what so ever to the final product.

 

[malmom]

Thank you all for your opinions but with all the sanding inside and out do you think it might weaken the tank?????

 

[LakeEd]

To "remove" those scratches, you will basically remove enough of the plexiglass to get down to the depth the scratches are at. From a brand new tank, yes...this is weaker...but IF you were going to use this now, the depth of the scratches are already in there...so I'm thinking any weakening has already happened...if that makes any since??

 

[Scooterman]

Naw, they sand & buff these tanks a lot when making them, that 300 should be about 1" or 3/4" thick.