Polishing Old Acrylic Tank

[gussy]

I just bought a used 90 gallon acrylic tank that has lots of visible scratches. Most likely from the old owners partial attempt to polish with some kind of sand paper. The scratches are not deep...the kind that those small scratch remove kit can remove.

The question is...is there a more efficient and faster way of removing scratches on an ENTIRE 90 gallon tank? Would those metal polisher attached to a buffing wheel work? Any ideas?

Thanks!

[kysard1]

Get a random orbital sander/buffer and search for the 3M Finesse-It 3 step process.

[AmosUSA]

Get jewlers polish with a buffer tip like for a Dremel tool .
I have taken out some of the deepest scratches. The fine ones they come right out. I personally go after the big ones only because once the water comes in contact with the small fine scratches they disappear under water. But if you want all of them then go for it. the Dremel tool works .

[Icefire]

dremel on 90g? use a car waxer or orbital.

[gussy]

Originally posted by kysard1
Get a random orbital sander/buffer and search for the 3M Finesse-It 3 step process.

Do you mean this?

http://products3.3m.com/catalog/us/e...er/output_html

[kysard1]

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3...ystem_Process/



Do you have an expensive tank? If not it is usually cheaper to buy new than restore acrylic.

[gussy]

No, it's not an expensive tank. It's going to be in the garage, but I just hate seeing those scratches. When the tank is filled with water, most of the scratches are hidden. I wouldn't mind spending $50 to remove the scratch if it does not take too much effort. I can borrow an orbital sander or those car polishing units. I just don't know what compound to use.

[kysard1]

Once on the cheap I used the Meguires 2-step available at Auto-zone. It has fillers so you have to wipe with alcohol .

[AmosUSA]

The 3m works well just like jewelry’s polish. But for the comment on the dremel on a 90 gallon? Well you can use an orbiter which I have on general scratches but good luck on trying to get out deep scratches you need to use high rpm to get them out. The dremel has what it takes on individual deep scratches a orbiter well take forever or wont work at all !

[azreefer]

Try this...

http://etr-inc.com/index.php

Brian

[gussy]

The scratches are not deep. The previous owner used fine sand paper. They are not too visible when the tank has water, but you can see the uniform vertical sand paper marks when empty.

[AmosUSA]

In that case just a orbiter with some polish will do the trick. It should turn out real nice.