So I have a somewhat scratched tnk...

Doahh · 07/12/2007, 08:58 PM

an AGA 90 gallon tank and it has a lot of slight scratches in the front pane of glass... they aren't deep but they are an eyesore... How should I go about removing them? They are on the inside of the tank and I heard Toothpaste can remove scratches in glass but is toothpaste fish safe? How else can I remove them?

theatrus · 07/12/2007, 09:04 PM

Removing scratches in glass is rather hard - do you see them when the tank is filled with water?

It will require a power buffer and a suitable compound and an empty tank and a lot of time to do right.

kh6sat · 07/12/2007, 09:05 PM

Wonder if Lens Doctor would work??

Doahh · 07/12/2007, 09:24 PM

they aren't really that deep... I can drain the tank and the scratches are visible when the tank is filled...

dc · 07/12/2007, 09:50 PM

You just have to kind of get used to them. I have a huge gash in mine that I did when it was FW. The only time I notice it now is when I don't keep the glass cleaned.

Doahh · 07/12/2007, 10:29 PM

so there is absolutely nothing I can do?

fazgood · 07/12/2007, 10:39 PM

I had an Oceanic that was scratched the week I bought it (Never let the wife use the magnetic cleaner). I was able to use Jewelers Rouge http://www.hobbytool.com/index.asp?P...PROD&ProdID=66 on it and smooth off the edges o make it much less visible. However, after 15 years the same tank had a lot of micro scratches so I tried the same technique with no results. After that I took a grinding wheel with a soft brush on it and tried to buff it out with it empty. I worked at it until my arms were goo and still it had little to no effect.

I called a glass shop that sold me the rouge and they said (and this part I am not 100% sure about) that "new" glass is easier to buff or cut than "old" glass. They went on to say that if you try to cut new glass you are typically able to do this easily but old glass almost always will shatter or break in an unexpected fashion.

I would suggest trying this stuff on a small area and see if it works before you take a day grinding your brains out. I finally broke down and bought a new tank and the wife is not allowed to use the glass magnet!

Hope that helps..

Joe

07/12/2007, 08:58 PM	#1
Doahh Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Loomis CA Posts: 2,398	So I have a somewhat scratched tnk... an AGA 90 gallon tank and it has a lot of slight scratches in the front pane of glass... they aren't deep but they are an eyesore... How should I go about removing them? They are on the inside of the tank and I heard Toothpaste can remove scratches in glass but is toothpaste fish safe? How else can I remove them?

07/12/2007, 09:04 PM	#2
theatrus 100-mile-commuter Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: almost nevada Posts: 4,721	Removing scratches in glass is rather hard - do you see them when the tank is filled with water? It will require a power buffer and a suitable compound and an empty tank and a lot of time to do right. __________________ Custom electronics purveyor. blueAcro.com Current Tank Info: 90g SPS+mixed reef (10 yrs): LEDBrick LEDs, 40g custom sump, Ca reactor, chiller, Vortech, lots of custom electronics

07/12/2007, 09:05 PM	#3
kh6sat Premium Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Maili, Hawaii Posts: 144	Wonder if Lens Doctor would work?? __________________ Rick D. Maili, Hawaii Current Tank Info: 120-Gal Reef / Fish

07/12/2007, 09:24 PM	#4
Doahh Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Loomis CA Posts: 2,398	they aren't really that deep... I can drain the tank and the scratches are visible when the tank is filled... __________________ -Josh Current Tank Info: 90 Gal Custom SW Reef

07/12/2007, 09:50 PM	#5
dc Moderator Emeritus Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Wyoming Posts: 44,684	You just have to kind of get used to them. I have a huge gash in mine that I did when it was FW. The only time I notice it now is when I don't keep the glass cleaned. __________________ Debi ~60 Cube~ Why? Because I said so of course. -Sent via Tapatalk Smoke Signals-

07/12/2007, 10:29 PM	#6
Doahh Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Loomis CA Posts: 2,398	so there is absolutely nothing I can do? __________________ -Josh Current Tank Info: 90 Gal Custom SW Reef

07/12/2007, 10:39 PM	#7
fazgood Not Quite Right Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Ballwin MO Posts: 1,093	Not really I had an Oceanic that was scratched the week I bought it (Never let the wife use the magnetic cleaner). I was able to use Jewelers Rouge http://www.hobbytool.com/index.asp?P...PROD&ProdID=66 on it and smooth off the edges o make it much less visible. However, after 15 years the same tank had a lot of micro scratches so I tried the same technique with no results. After that I took a grinding wheel with a soft brush on it and tried to buff it out with it empty. I worked at it until my arms were goo and still it had little to no effect. I called a glass shop that sold me the rouge and they said (and this part I am not 100% sure about) that "new" glass is easier to buff or cut than "old" glass. They went on to say that if you try to cut new glass you are typically able to do this easily but old glass almost always will shatter or break in an unexpected fashion. I would suggest trying this stuff on a small area and see if it works before you take a day grinding your brains out. I finally broke down and bought a new tank and the wife is not allowed to use the glass magnet! Hope that helps.. Joe