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Buffing Acrylic
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RockStarFish View Drop Down
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Joined: August 06 2005
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    Posted: July 23 2006 at 6:10am
OK so I have the chance to get a 240g acrylic tank for a good price but it has a ton of scratches in it.I know that you can buff out most scratches out  of the acrylic but when is to many scraches to much?

Edited by RockStarFish - July 23 2006 at 8:19pm
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Mark Peterson View Drop Down
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Points: 21437 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Mark Peterson Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: July 23 2006 at 9:03pm
An acrylic tank like that has got to be free, because it takes so much effort to sand out the inside scratches with 3000-4000 grit emery cloth on a magnet algae scaper underwater, and for the outside, a buffing wheel and buffing compound.
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sivert55 View Drop Down
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Points: 210 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote sivert55 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 10 2006 at 2:02am
If you can drain it, you can start with 500 grit paper on a sander and get the big stuff, then work your way down to 1000 and 2000 grit. then buff it with the acrylic scratch buffing compound they sell at Regional supply and a buffing wheel. It's doable, but Mark is right.  It's very time intensive and when I did my 120, I went through alot of sand paper and my arms got really tired.  I definitely wouldn't even attempt it without power tools.
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telomere View Drop Down
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Points: 29 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote telomere Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 21 2006 at 11:46pm
Using sandpaper might not be the best way to go.  There are polishing compounds especially for acrylic.  Novus is the one I'm familiar with, there are two grades - one takes out significant scratches, the other polishes it to look like new again.

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sivert55 View Drop Down
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Points: 210 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote sivert55 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August 22 2006 at 1:24am
"Sandpaper" may be misleading.  I use both grades of novus after i use finishing sandpaper- the kind they use to smooth out paint on cars between coats.  In fact, that's where I get the sandpaper.  There's an autobody supply store on 39th south just west of I-15. 
Some scratches have been pretty deep and I get better results when I start with 1000, then 1500, then 2000 grit paper, and then use the novus priducts to smooth it out.  Then I finish with the acrylic buffing compound that puts that sweet shine on it.  Last step is to wipe it down with Brillianize.  Better than new!
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