Acrylic question.

[Off The Deep End]

Have any of you ever buffed acrylic when the tank was operational? I remember a thread a couple years ago that someone said there was a product to do so that was reef safe but have not been able to find it, any help would be great!

 

[Craigar]

I know you can sand it while iperational but never heard if. Bugging it. Sanding it you can get it crystal clear with water

 

[Off The Deep End]

I guess I just want to get the major scratches out without draining the tank.

 

[Craigar]

Definately can do it with sandpaper start at 800 grit and make your way to 3000

 

[Off The Deep End]

Cool thanks!!

 

[Smiley]

I've done it at the last shop i worked at using wet sand paper and a magnavore algae scraper... Took forever with different grades of sandpaper but worked well. Took several days and arms hurt every day...

 

[Off The Deep End]

I've done it at the last shop i worked at using wet sand paper and a magnavore algae scraper... Took forever with different grades of sandpaper but worked well. Took several days and arms hurt every day...

Lol im up for the battle.

 

[Labsalesguy]

Im sanding and polishing a second acrylic tank now. (Dry though). The first is my main display turned out great. The second had scratches so deep i had to go down to 200! But this is more of a test for myself to see if this mess of a 110 tall could be salvaged The deep sanding on big scratches may cause distortion. Ill post picks when done.
Before you go to the next finest grit, try and make sure you got the depth of the scratch with a flashlight. A few areas i went to the next finest, all the way to novus 2 polish and saw that scratches were still there. AAAHH!!! Start all the steps over!

 

[Off The Deep End]

Are you sanding by hand?

Here is a good video of how to sand and buff a dry tank.

[video=youtube;QnIwVp2a7F8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnIwVp2a7F8[/video]

 

[Djmm1177]

I would use trizac by 3m,use it wet, it goes up to 5000 grit, it's used for polishing headlights! Little if no buffing when done.

 

[Off The Deep End]

I would use trizac by 3m,use it wet, it goes up to 5000 grit, it's used for polishing headlights! Little if no buffing when done.

Good to know! Thanks

 

[Labsalesguy]

I only did the heavy scratches by hand then 400, 600 and up with palm sander, then Novus stuff with foam automotive pad and STRONG Makita 1/2 inch drill

here are two pics when I picked it up. I swear the first owner took a dremel to the inside radius:
[attachment=65445:name]

 

[Djmm1177]

Look into the headlight polishing paper! If u were closer I would lend u the tools! I use a orbital da it leaves small circular patterns,

 

[Labsalesguy]

And here is a pic of the work in progress. The secons pick is my 5 ft. 125 i will start a build thread shortly on:
[attachment=65447:name]

 

[Labsalesguy]

but to your original post--if the tank is full, I'd use high grit wet sandpaper. You will probably see fine "milky" flow as a layer of acryilc is removed. If it were me I would keep a small siphon ( airline tubing??) in one hand and sand paper with the other. Some say it doesnt affect the ihabitants but i would try and remove the particles during the job.

 

[Off The Deep End]

Just got back with 1000, 2000 and 3000 grit sandpaper (3m) so we will see how this goes.

 

[Off The Deep End]

They aren't scratched that bad just bad enough for me to want it better

 

[Labsalesguy]

Do some before and after pics first? I'm interested to see how those grits work- my auto supply store only has up to 2000- May I ask where you got 3000?

thanks!

 

[Off The Deep End]

Lol Walmart... in the automotive section.

 

[Labsalesguy]

whoa! didnt think of them. Thanks!