Able to remove scratch from acrylic tank?

Olof · 01/27/2013, 02:36 PM

Hello,

Doing weekly maintenance and managed to scratch the inside of my acrylic tank with the scraper.

Does a safe method of removing the scratch exist?

Thank you

shaginwagon13 · 01/27/2013, 02:44 PM

Yes it does.

You can buy something like this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NOVUS-ACRYLI...-/400081824590

thegrun · 01/27/2013, 02:53 PM

+1, the Novus kits work well or for underwater repairs gradually increasing wet/dry sandpaper grit starting at around 220 for deep scratches working up to a final sanding/polishing with 12,000 grit.

Olof · 01/27/2013, 03:11 PM

Awesome! Thanks for the replies.

Meanmike · 01/27/2013, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shaginwagon13

Yes it does.

You can buy something like this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NOVUS-ACRYLI...-/400081824590

Quote:

Originally Posted by thegrun

+1, the Novus kits work well or for underwater repairs gradually increasing wet/dry sandpaper grit starting at around 220 for deep scratches working up to a final sanding/polishing with 12,000 grit.

I don't understand how this can be used in a tank full of water? It's not sand paper, it appears to be a chemical.

shaginwagon13 · 01/27/2013, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meanmike

I don't understand how this can be used in a tank full of water? It's not sand paper, it appears to be a chemical.

It is sort of like how you buff and polish a scrape on your car. There are 3 liquids each with different 'cutting' ability.

The first grit will be the most coarse and will help to even the scratch out and blend it with the surrounding plastic.

The second will be a medium grit and provide a buffer for the final stage which will allow the scrape to be very minimal or removed completely.

Meanmike · 01/27/2013, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shaginwagon13

It is sort of like how you buff and polish a scrape on your car. There are 3 liquids each with different 'cutting' ability.

The first grit will be the most coarse and will help to even the scratch out and blend it with the surrounding plastic.

The second will be a medium grit and provide a buffer for the final stage which will allow the scrape to be very minimal or removed completely.

I watched the video so I understand that. But what I don't get is how it's safe to use underwater? Or how you could even use it underwater?

Edit: I do get how this would work on the outside.

The other poster even said its sandpaper wich it is not.

Have you used it? I've been thinking about an acrylic tank but I am concerned with scratches as well.

shaginwagon13 · 01/27/2013, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meanmike

I watched the video so I understand that. But what I don't get is how it's safe to use underwater? Or how you could even use it underwater?

Edit: I do get how this would work on the outside.

The other poster even said its sandpaper wich it is not.

Have you used it? I've been thinking about an acrylic tank but I am concerned with scratches as well.

No it is not sandpaper, but it will act like sandpaper when you have the compound on either a rag or puffer pad. As long as the compound is safe and does not contain any chemicals it is fine for the aquarium. There is actually a company that specializes in buffing the inside of aquariums and they do it with air driven buffing tools exactly the same as the ones used in the auto industry. I will try and find their youtube videos but apparently they have had rave reviews and nothing has even happened to any fish inside the tanks. One think I am not sure about reading is wether the tanks that were buffed had corals inside so I will try and find them and get back to you and see what their site says.

westreef · 01/27/2013, 07:46 PM

I have used Lifegard Aquatics Acrylic Scratch Removal Kit 72000 sold by Marine Depot. It works inside the tank with corals and fish. No harm to them.

thegrun · 01/27/2013, 09:14 PM

You are correct, Novus will not work underwater, but wet dry sandpaper will (reread my post "or"). It's best first try scratch removal on a scrap piece of acrylic to get the hang of it.

Meanmike · 01/27/2013, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thegrun

You are correct, Novus will not work underwater, but wet dry sandpaper will (reread my post "or"). It's best first try scratch removal on a scrap piece of acrylic to get the hang of it.

I did miss that, sorry.

01/27/2013, 02:36 PM	#1
Olof Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Wash DC Posts: 40	Able to remove scratch from acrylic tank? Hello, Doing weekly maintenance and managed to scratch the inside of my acrylic tank with the scraper. Does a safe method of removing the scratch exist? Thank you __________________ 190gal w/45gal sump started 09/01/12, 200lbs Marshall Island LR, 4" sandbed, Vortech LEDs and twin MP60s...

01/27/2013, 02:44 PM	#2
shaginwagon13 Chartered Accountant Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 2,219	Yes it does. You can buy something like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/NOVUS-ACRYLI...-/400081824590 __________________ - Shaginwagon - Current Tank Info: 550 Gallon SPS Reef l 200 Gallon Sump l Skimmer: Vertex Alpha 250 l Return Pump: Reeflo Hammerhead l Tank Circulation: (2) Maxspect Gyre XF280 l Lighting: (3) 400w Halides & (3) AI Hydra 52 HD

01/27/2013, 03:11 PM	#4
Olof Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Wash DC Posts: 40	Awesome! Thanks for the replies. __________________ 190gal w/45gal sump started 09/01/12, 200lbs Marshall Island LR, 4" sandbed, Vortech LEDs and twin MP60s...

01/27/2013, 07:46 PM	#9
westreef Lost as usual Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Really California? Posts: 846	I have used Lifegard Aquatics Acrylic Scratch Removal Kit 72000 sold by Marine Depot. It works inside the tank with corals and fish. No harm to them. __________________ Bernie 75g, ATI 4x58wT5 LED Hybrid Powermodule, AquaMaxx ConeS 1, 2xMP40wES, RKL controller, Tunze Osmolator

01/27/2013, 02:53 PM	#3
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	+1, the Novus kits work well or for underwater repairs gradually increasing wet/dry sandpaper grit starting at around 220 for deep scratches working up to a final sanding/polishing with 12,000 grit.

01/27/2013, 09:14 PM	#10
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	You are correct, Novus will not work underwater, but wet dry sandpaper will (reread my post "or"). It's best first try scratch removal on a scrap piece of acrylic to get the hang of it.