Buffing Acrylic

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
everlastace

everlastace

Candiru
MFK Member
Oct 15, 2011
879
3
48
Utah
My cousin went into his lfs, and they have a 260 gallon acrylic tank that he will sell him for $100 with some other aspects to the deal. The tank has some scratches, what is the best/least expensive way to buff them out?
This is important to me because if he does it ...I get his 150 gallon. Any advice?

Sent from my LG-P509 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
 
Check all the seams and make sure they are solid without any cracks. If they are then buffing out acrylic is pretty easy.

If the scratches are pretty deep start with 1000+ grit wet sand paper before you start using the buffing compound. Sand out the scratches with a hose trickling over the area while you are sanding. I would do the sand paper by hand using a sanding block to keep the surface even. I would use a buffer when I got to the buffing compound just make sure you don't hold the buffer in one place for too long (Don't let any heat build up).
 
Okay, easy enough. Now if there is a leak, what's the best way to fix it in acrylic?

Sent from my LG-P509 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
 
if the seams are bad, then you need to use the industrial version (2-part mix) of weld on, and pour it into each seam while that edge of the tank is braced at a 45 degree angle. This is not for the beginner--I have my local acrylic guy do that for me. They charge anywhere from $25-50 per seam.

As for the buffing, everyone has their own methods ranging from starting at 200 grit wet dry sand paper to compound with a car buffer to using micro-mesh with a dual action sander to novus 3-2-1 or mixture of all of these. There are many different ways to do it with good results.

Micromesh was not good for me, I did my 350 and 375 by hand starting at 400 grit, working up to 2000grit then novus 3-2-1. When using the sandpaper, you want to go in the opposite direction each time you switch grits.

The best way to find a method that works for you is to experiment with the top panel of the tank since it is not seen.

Good luck!
 
Alright thanks everyone! He still hasn't decided if he's buying it yet. I'm not totally inexperienced with acrylic, I buffed my acrylic 55 once, but it only had minor scratches. I haven't seen the 260 he's looking at so I don't know how severely scratched it is. Just wanted to get advice so I would have a better idea of how possible it would be.

Sent from my LG-P509 using MonsterAquariaNetwork App
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom