HELP Needed - 300 gallon Acrylic Scratch Removal/Buffing

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Razzo

Razzo

Piranha
MFK Member
May 18, 2008
365
114
76
Northern Indiana
Hi,

I recently secured a used 300 gallon used acrylic fish tank. It has some scratches and I am interested in buffing/polishing the tank and have just started the research phase. I found a couple you tube videos to get me started and my biggest question so far is the buffing compound.

Can any one recommend a safe buffing compound (for the fish).

If you know of any good link for this kind of project?

Any members who have done this that would be willing to help advise?

Thanks!
Russ
 
aquaponicpaw said:
I used novus 123 and buffed mine by hand. I am thoroughly pleased with the results. Well worth the $20. I can't speak highly enough about my experience with this product.

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Click to expand...

Thanks APP, I trust they give good instructions on the procedures?

Thanks,
Russ
 
Razzo said:
Thanks APP, I trust they give good instructions on the procedures?

Thanks,
Russ
Click to expand...

Yes, it's basically a 3 step process, kind of like 3 grades of liquid sandpaper. My only word of caution is to rinse as thoroughly as possible. I had problems with residue afterwards. Didn't harm my fish though.

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I've used the Novus product with good results too, but in my experience it is only effective for removing light scratches. If your scratches are so deep that your nail catches on them, then you will likely have to use sandpaper to remove them. I would typically start using 800 or 1,000 Grit sandpaper and if that was not able to remove the deeper scratches, you can go to a heavier grit.

Good luck!
 
aldiaz33 said:
I've used the Novus product with good results too, but in my experience it is only effective for removing light scratches. If your scratches are so deep that your nail catches on them, then you will likely have to use sandpaper to remove them. I would typically start using 800 or 1,000 Grit sandpaper and if that was not able to remove the deeper scratches, you can go to a heavier grit.

Good luck!
Click to expand...

+1 I also sanded first with 1000 grit. But when I used the novus it was all elbow grease.

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I have mostly light scratches but there are a couple trouble spots with deeper scratches. Sounds like I should use the sandpaper on the deeper scratches and the novus 1-2-3 on the rest.

With the sand paper, sounds like a bonding agent needs to be buffed in. Can the novus 1-2-3 be the bonding agent. So, hit the trouble spots with sand paper first and then do the nous 1-2-3 on the entire surface?

Thanks,
Russ
 
Yeah wet sand though and don't use an orbital sander. And don't apply pressure while sanding. Just lightly graze and let the paper do the work. Long swipes from end to end without stopping or you will create pits. Same thing when you buff it out.

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I would recommend using a buffing wheel or an orbit sander when using the Novus product. Buffing a 300 gallon by hand will make your arm feel like it's going to fall off.

Just a head's up that the Novus 2 is for "Heavy Scraches" the Novus 3 is for "fine scratches" and the Novus 1 is just a cleaner.

What I would do is wet sand with 1,000, then with 2,000, then use a buffer with the Novus 2, then use a new pad on the buffer with Novus 3. It's a pain in the butt, but you can get the tank to look like new...it just takes time.

I've buffed scratches out of a 270G, a 240G and a 70G this way and they all turned out real nice.
 
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