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ttls1 
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 Topic: Help polishing acrylic
Posted: September 24 2011 at 5:00pm |
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I have now spent 10 hours sanding and polishing and i feel like i have got nowhere. I have sanded down to 1000 grit wet sanding then tried the novus 3 then 2 and i still cant get this acrylic clear. Any suggestions on better compounds or techniques would be much appreciated.
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builderofdreams
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Posted: September 24 2011 at 5:24pm |
Cut it with 2000 grit paper. What kinda compound are you using? What kinda of machine are you polishing with? What kinda of Pad are you polishing with? You can call or pm me if need more help. 801-850-4915.
Edited by builderofdreams - September 24 2011 at 5:25pm
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It's Not a Hobby It's an Obsession
150&210 Gallons of Madness and. Sanity! 801-850-4915
http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=65135&title=builderofdreams-feedback-post
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ttls1
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Posted: September 24 2011 at 5:31pm |
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Novus 2 and 3
Orbital Buffer
Microfiber
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davser
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Posted: September 24 2011 at 5:52pm |
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If this is like buffing a scratch on a car I might be able to help
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builderofdreams
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Posted: September 24 2011 at 5:58pm |
Sorry not familiar with Novus 2 and 3. U stated the u sanded up to 1000.What did you start with? Regardless what compound, make sure you are not running the buffer at warp speed. Slower is better.The red pad polishes very well and is very aggressive.If for some reason you can not get it with the microfiber you can always use Wool.But you will have to contend with the wool Spider webs.Hope this helps.
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It's Not a Hobby It's an Obsession
150&210 Gallons of Madness and. Sanity! 801-850-4915
http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=65135&title=builderofdreams-feedback-post
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ttls1
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Posted: September 24 2011 at 7:27pm |
 builderofdreams wrote:
Sorry not familiar with Novus 2 and 3.U stated the u sanded up to 1000.What did you start with? Regardless what compound, make sure you are not running the buffer at warp speed. Slower is better.The red pad polishes very well and is very aggressive.If for some reason you can not get it with the microfiber you can always use Wool.But you will have to contend with the wool Spider webs.Hope this helps.
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I had to start with 220 wet as there were a lot of pretty deep scratches. Then went up 400, 600, 800 1000. Does anyone know of a good aggressive compound to use after this i dont want to sand anymore.
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tcfab
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Posted: September 25 2011 at 10:21am |
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1000 is not fine enough, I usually go to 3000. I also don't use the Novus brand polish. I use automotive grade polishes. You can try going to an automotive paint supply store and getting some 3M polishing compound, its not cheap but it works very well. Also the pad you use is just as important as the compound. I personally use the white 3M foam pad on my buffer or as mentioned earlier you can use a wool pad, both have more of an aggressive cut to them.
Edited by tcfab - September 25 2011 at 10:22am
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Need custom acrylic work? give me a call, www.Elite-Aquatics.net (801)645-6386
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Tanuki
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Posted: September 25 2011 at 10:53am |
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+1 for 2-3000 grit. I wouldn't use an orbital either. Do it by hand or you run a risk of melting the surface. Also check progress by splashing water on spots you think are done.
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Mark Peterson
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Posted: September 25 2011 at 11:05am |
tcfab knows acylic. It's his business.  3-4000 or finer Micro Mesh is what I use to get the final polish on the inside, in fact I use it for everyday algae removal. Underwater, I use the plain sheets wrapped over a strong algae scraper magnet with a fiber base sheet. I use the Tiger Shark or similar, depending on the acrylic thickness. With water in the tank it looks good, without water it still looks fuzzy to me. What size of tank is this?
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ttls1
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Posted: September 25 2011 at 7:19pm |
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Ok so i need to go to at least 2000 grit how many more steps between 1000 and 2000 do i need? Which compound do you buy tyler there is a lot to choose from?
Its an 8 foot 300 gallon tank.
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tcfab
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Posted: September 25 2011 at 10:42pm |
I would go 1000,1500 then 2000. When you get to those finer grits you really need to sand quite a bit, I personally use a DA (dual action) pneumatic sander it makes life easier  I use 3M #06085 in the Perfect-it II line for polish. Hope that helps
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Need custom acrylic work? give me a call, www.Elite-Aquatics.net (801)645-6386
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