how do i get rid of lite scratches on glass?

[alexx-w]

see the thing is, if it's fine enough to be buffed out, then chances are you wont even see it when the tank is full of water. youre just wasting your time! the ones you cant remove are the ones you can see when it has water. so it's a lose-lose!

i can see the scratches w/ water in the tank, and my finger nail wont catch them, there are so many so i will have to try the tooth paste

 

[alexx-w]

http://www.fitchfamily.com/glass.html

im totally doing that.

 

[FishKeepingNoob]

You can polish glass.

As far as buffing will make it weaker, I disagree. Removing scratches strengthens glass by removing stress points. Akin to drilling a hole at the end of a crack in metal or shot peening a piston rod.

But it was said earlier that if the scratch is small enough to be successfully buffed, it probably won't be very visible under water.

 

[David K. Bradley]

nope, scratches in glass will NOT come out. gotta buy a new tank if they bother you that much

This is definitely not true. Small shallow scratches can be removed, so there is no need to purchase a different tank.

see the thing is, if it's fine enough to be buffed out, then chances are you wont even see it when the tank is full of water. youre just wasting your time! the ones you cant remove are the ones you can see when it has water. so it's a lose-lose!

It's not a loose-loose situation. Alexx-w is trying to repair a small cosmetic problem. It may not be to some, but to him it's a matter of principles and personal pride. Not a matter of wasting time or a quick fix by filling a tank with water, hoping no one will notice the scratches or by just plain laziness and doing nothing to remove the scratches. He's asking for help to fix what he finds to be a fixable thing. If you can't give constructive plausible advise, then don't waste your time misleading with improper guideance.

http://www.fitchfamily.com/glass.html

Good advise Reptile88, but I would do this only as a last resort.

If the scratch is deep enough to catch your fingernail, then it cant be fixed.

Dry Mustard and Vinegar. Mix 1 part dry mustard and 1 part white vinegar into a paste. Apply paste to the scratch. Polish with a soft cloth. AVOID EYE CONTACT; DRY MUSTARD CAN BE DAMAGING TO THE CORNEA.

Toothpaste can also be used.
Buffing would leave the area too weak.

FishingOut, you're the answer man. Or should we call you Geeves? I agree with your methods and your advise, except with the buffing. I am quite positive buffing does not weaken the glass. If I remember correctly it will strengthen the glass as it removes areas for potential stress to occur, a.k.a. scratches. I do know if done on acryllic, buffing can cause weakness and will scorch or burn the acrylic causing a hardened week spot, if to much pressure is applied while buffing and caution is not applied. But again, I would use a buffer ONLY as a last resort.

I hope things work out great for you alexx-w in getting your scratches removed.

 

[Euken]

I used to work at Menard's (midwest hardware chain store) and people would always come in looking for something to get scratches out of glass. There's actually some gel-like stuff you can buy that you apply with a micro-fiber cloth. It obviously won't get out deep scratches but it works great for general upkeep.

 

[jcardona1]

This is definitely not true. Small shallow scratches can be removed, so there is no need to purchase a different tank.

It's not a loose-loose situation. Alexx-w is trying to repair a small cosmetic problem. It may not be to some, but to him it's a matter of principles and personal pride. Not a matter of wasting time or a quick fix by filling a tank with water, hoping no one will notice the scratches or by just plain laziness and doing nothing to remove the scratches. He's asking for help to fix what he finds to be a fixable thing. If you can't give constructive plausible advise, then don't waste your time misleading with improper guideance.

okay, and telling him he can buff out scratches with toothpaste along with hopes and dreams? trust me, ive been there done that. i HAD a tank that had some fine scratches. i tried buffing them, nothing worked. the scratches will still be there.

i am giving him constructive advice, i'm telling him not to waste his time. i'm not gonna lie to him and say they will come out with a some damn toothpaste

to remove a scratch you must understand what you are actually doing (and it's ovious you do not). youre not actually 'removing' a scratch. youre removing the material surrounding it to bring it down the level of the scratch. and we're not talking about the clear coat of a car or an acrylic tank here. this is glass, and it will be extremely difficult to remove the surrounding material and make the scratch disappear. why do you think those REAL scratch removal kits for glass cost $2-5k?

you can sit all day with a buffer at high speed on a section of glass, youre not gonna remove any of the material, simple as that. learn to comprehend. read what i wrote again. i said that if the scratch can be felt with your nail, it's not gonna come out. i dont sugar coat anything. id rather tell people what they need to hear vs what they want to hear.

 

[romosoldier]

i used to have a 90 Gallon acrylic tank and it had alot of tiny scratches, i sold it to someone and they said they were able to get the scratches out, im not sure what they used but if the tank is acrylic, then there is a way to remove them, if its glass then probably not.

 

[jcardona1]

i used to have a 90 Gallon acrylic tank and it had alot of tiny scratches, i sold it to someone and they said they were able to get the scratches out, im not sure what they used but if the tank is acrylic, then there is a way to remove them, if its glass then probably not.

yeah, acrylic is very easy to work. ive buffed out several acrylic tanks with a high speed direct drive buffer and the Novus 1-2-3 compounds. even deep scratches can be removed. these will require sanding with fine grit sandpaper though. once the acrylic heats up, the scratches just disappear.

glass is a whole different ballgame

 

[alexx-w]

This is definitely not true. Small shallow scratches can be removed, so there is no need to purchase a different tank.



It's not a loose-loose situation. Alexx-w is trying to repair a small cosmetic problem. It may not be to some, but to him it's a matter of principles and personal pride. Not a matter of wasting time or a quick fix by filling a tank with water, hoping no one will notice the scratches or by just plain laziness and doing nothing to remove the scratches. He's asking for help to fix what he finds to be a fixable thing. If you can't give constructive plausible advise, then don't waste your time misleading with improper guideance.


thanks haha, and also, if you guys seen this tank itis covered with tiny scratches, the scatches are very small but very visible because they go in all directions and over lap eachother a lot over most of the tank

 

[rebajoe]

Always looking for the silver lining, if all methods fail, a new tank could be procured and the scratched one used as a sump !!! I am a new member to this board...I came here looking for plans for a diy 75 gal sump to be used with my 125 reef ready tank. I came about the 75 due to scratches caused by an un-noticed piece of gravel trapped underneath a heavy magnet. The previous owner tried several methods of removing the scratches, to no avail and finally replaced the tank. Goody for me! Happy to be here...lots of good stuff and experienced people, but, I don't really fit in here...my largest fish are a trio of half grown, assorted Tangs...I really like the little guys...but...fish is fish, right? I also have a planted tank of Kribs and Corys...yep, I love 'em. Thanks for being here and I am off in my quest for sump plans. L8R!!! Rj