Sanding An Acrylic Tank

[I_got_no_idea]

lolz never thought about sanding a tank, i just sprayed my friends old acrylic tank with some strong acid, and it dissolved the surface a little bit then i washed and then put some water in and dumped it all out and put more water in and dumped it all out. Less work but just more time as you have to wait for it to get all the chemicals out before putting live stock in... PICS!

 

[Ajno]

Now I have a 180 that is LOADED with scratches. I did get 800 grit and 1000 grit sand paper along with a block to hold the sand paper. Looking forward to your tutorial.

 

[tomojsg]

Now I have a 180 that is LOADED with scratches. I did get 800 grit and 1000 grit sand paper along with a block to hold the sand paper. Looking forward to your tutorial.

depends how deep the scratches are if theyre really deep you might want to start something lower then a 800 and work your way up to around 4000+ grit. remember to use only wet/dry sand papers. after you worked your way up with the sand papers use a polisher to polish then it should look like new. fyi trying to sand a 180g with a block using your hands will be tiring, you borrow a buffer and do it with a machine its a lot faster and will produce a higher/clearer polish. it will practically be brand new lol.

 

[Ajno]

I have a buffer and all 3 kinds of novus do you think using number 3 will get most of the scratches out?

 

[BayArea_510]

is there a specific buffer we should use a have a 180 g with millions of tiny scratches from the previous owner , so if i start with 600 grit ,then 800 grit ,then 1000 grit , then 2000 grit , then ,4000 grit ( also do i continuosly keep the tank wet while sanding) then after all the sanding i apply novus 1 let it dry then wipe it off with a rag and repeat with 2 and 3 , im cofused how to sand a tank can someone plz say a step by step tutoriol

 

[tomojsg]

I have a buffer and all 3 kinds of novus do you think using number 3 will get most of the scratches out?

depends how deep the scratch is really. imo you should follow up with the wet/dry sand paper or buffer, then use the novus 3 then 2 & 1. found this to bear the best result & sometimes make it even better than new! lol

is there a specific buffer we should use a have a 180 g with millions of tiny scratches from the previous owner , so if i start with 600 grit ,then 800 grit ,then 1000 grit , then 2000 grit , then ,4000 grit ( also do i continuosly keep the tank wet while sanding) then after all the sanding i apply novus 1 let it dry then wipe it off with a rag and repeat with 2 and 3 , im cofused how to sand a tank can someone plz say a step by step tutoriol

ya if ur using a buffer you should go with one that not too strong unless you can handle your tools,
also use a buffer that has a padded disk where you can just stick the sand paper on. You got the
general idea right though starting with a 600 grit wet/dry and working your way up but if the scratches
arent that deep theres no need to start at such a low grit paper since that will just add extra work that
isn't necessary. for example if its just small scratches everywhere from sand or something you can
prob. start with a 1500 or 2000 grit and work your way up to a 4000+ and finish it with a novus 2 & 1.
as for novus 3 = heavy/deep scratches 2 = med/ligh 1 = light/polish.

to both people im responding too, this is the way i do it but im not too experienced with aquarium tank buffing.
i only know & how to from my own personal experience from buffing a few tanks myself & also from working
in a automotive shop since buffing is always or mostly similar in all cases.

 

[BayArea_510]

oh so im dealing with little scrathces but millions of the so i can just go 1500,,2000,2500, 3000, then 4000 and i just rub on novus 2 and 1

 

[tomojsg]

yup that should do it, good luck on sanding everything you'll get tired after the first grit if your doing it by hand lol

 

[BayArea_510]

yeah im ago by an orbital sander from harbor frieght