so i used acedtone on my arcrylic tank

[Tiger-army]

to take off the white backround and repaint it black
it make a @ss ton of little cracks on the tank but they look very shallow
is there any way to buff it out if so how?

 

[cvermeulen]

I've never had acetone do that to acrylic before, but I'm always pretty sparing in my use of it. You have chemical induced cracking - can't buff that out, and if it were me, I'd seriously consider scrapping the tank. If you're going to use the tank anyway, why not just paint over the damage on the inside of the tank?

 

[Tiger-army]

i painted the out side agien it looks fine but some dripped down to the fron of the tank ant so i have 3 big spots at the top fron of the tank looks ugly and u really cant buff it out?

 

[spiff]

Even if you're able to make it look good, you already did some damage at the molecular level. As Cver said, its risky to keep using it the way it is now. The plastic is probably on the verge of disintegrating. Presuming you only used the stuff on the back side, you could buy another sheet and glue it into the inside using acrylic cement and you would be back in business.

I learned this mistake in 1980 when I used WD40 to lube a rubix cube and it disintegrated it. Petroleum products on plastic is risky with out testing first.

 

[Tiger-army]

i looked down the acrylic and when i look at tit it looks like the cracks are very shallow
maybe 1/16th the way thru more like lil bubbles on the first layer

do u still think it will crack if i fill it?

 

[spiff]

No one can answer that for certain for you. That's why we just say its "risky". It might hold just fine.

But there is no doubt that you did some damage to the structural integrity of the unit. You've weakened it for sure. But by welding in a new piece on top of the old, its at least salvageable.

Otherwise you're gambling.

Sorry man. Hope its not a giant tank or anything.

 

[FSM]

I learned this mistake in 1980 when I used WD40 to lube a rubix cube and it disintegrated it. Petroleum products on plastic is risky with out testing first.

Lol. I know someone who did something similar. He used the wrong type of silicone lubricant and it turned all grey inside and the pieces got really brittle.

 

[Tiger-army]

its a 110 gal tank =( i just got it and emptyed my wallet 4 it
its like 2/3 in thick maybe 3/4" to me that seems pretty thick and seeing as how its only like a thiiiin crack looks nowhere near compromizable
i wasnt afreid of it breaking till u guys mentions it lol i just wanted the scratchs buffed out lol
now im all depressed thinkiing my tank might be trash now

 

[spiff]

That blows chunks dude.

But you're right... plastic that thick might be okay if its only an immediate surface issue.

The other side of the coin is that with a tank that big, the threat of failure will have bigger consequences if it does happen.

Tough call.

Good luck.

 

[kallmond]

I think at this point its too late to worry about what damage might or might not be done. You can either get rid of the tank or try and salvage it.

So.. go to a store that sells auto body parts and get rubbing compound and buffing wax and a buffer and see if you can buff it out. Or something like http://www.amazon.com/Quixx-00040-US-Acrylic-Scratch-Remover/dp/B00164QBKM might work. I've never used that product though.

After that, I'd fill the tank in your basement or garage or somewhere near a floor drain and let it sit for 2 or 3 weeks, and maybe give it the occasional slap. If it holds up I'd set it up and start cycling. If it holds up through all of that 6 or 8 weeks I'd be inclined to trust it.