Anyone here ever buffed otu there acrylic tank ?

There are a few different ways to go about it.

The first way is by sanding it. 600g, 800g and so on. Most info says back and forth straight line motion, with a block, as not to introduce waviness. Other people have said they did it with a D/A with good results.....

The other way is with something like the Novus system. 3 grades of polish.

I have 2 55 acrylic tanks that I have to do. I bought the Novus products, but haven't had the time to hit them. I plan on trying a Cyclo buffer with foam pads first and see how it comes out. If that isn't enough I'll try a variable speed with a bonnet. The key is to not heat the acrylic...

I have 2000 grit 1500 grit we use on a wet D/A so it would be no prob to sand it.Curious what type of polish I would use.All the stuff i have is 3M automotive stuff not sure if its ok to use.We are not supose to breath so I know its somewhat toxic.

jasonak said:

I have 2000 grit 1500 grit we use on a wet D/A so it would be no prob to sand it.Curious what type of polish I would use.All the stuff i have is 3M automotive stuff not sure if its ok to use.We are not supose to breath so I know its somewhat toxic.

Click to expand...

3M does sell specific sanding pads for polishing acrylic. I will try to look around to find specific part numbers. PM if interested.

Novus products are great for fine scratches. We use them yearly on a number of acrylic tanks. They come out like new every time...

my acrylic fab man said to use a buffing wheel on them with some novus... he said the buffing wheel actually utilizes heat and abrasion to get the scratches out... obviously you dont want to over heat an area...

acrylic tanks get heat used on them all of the time... have you ever seen the acrylic tanks with rounded corners? also after making cuts and planing a piece then bonding them together... usually they flame polish the cut edge...

and i have also buffed my tank... i used mag wheel cleaner and a buffing pad on a cordless drill... worked great

I buffed out the little scratches by hand with regular car plastic polish that's used on headlights. Worked just fine and inexpensive.

Green Leaf Aquariums said:

Novus products are great for fine scratches. We use them yearly on a number of acrylic tanks. They come out like new every time...

Click to expand...

Kind of a silly question..... I'm assuming you can only use the product before setting up the tank with fish etc.?

LICfish said:

Kind of a silly question..... I'm assuming you can only use the product before setting up the tank with fish etc.?

Click to expand...

It's easiest to use with an empty tank but I've done it with water in it. Just siphon water out of tank below the scratches and buff with a wheel. Just be really really careful not to electrocute yourself. I had deep scratches that my neighbor's kid but on with my algae magnet when away for vacation. Took the water level down to an inch above the gravel line and buffed, then wipe away the excess. My arms were exhausted afterwards but tank looks great.

I used the Novus. ...works great.

asiansensation2000 said:

It's easiest to use with an empty tank but I've done it with water in it. Just siphon water out of tank below the scratches and buff with a wheel. Just be really really careful not to electrocute yourself. I had deep scratches that my neighbor's kid but on with my algae magnet when away for vacation. Took the water level down to an inch above the gravel line and buffed, then wipe away the excess. My arms were exhausted afterwards but tank looks great.

I used the Novus. ...works great.

Click to expand...

Thanks. Sorry for the off-topic comment but people really like to play with those magnets, eve adults - to the point where it's almost annoying.

LICfish said:

Thanks. Sorry for the off-topic comment but people really like to play with those magnets, eve adults - to the point where it's almost annoying.

Click to expand...

Got any kids? I have 3. It gets really annoying but its about the only "job" they can "help" with that makes them feel important. Adults are kindly slapped in the hand

where would I get novus which novus product excatley ?
I understand about heat,you can burn a paint job as well,very quickly actually.
thanks

Green Leaf Aquariums said:

Novus products are great for fine scratches. We use them yearly on a number of acrylic tanks. They come out like new every time...

Click to expand...

Agreed. I used the system to buff up an old 65 and sold it for more than I paid