Glass Scratches

Here is just one success story I just found...http://www.livingreefs.com/removing-buff-scratches-160-gallon-t22495.html
Thoughts? It was amazing to me that they used 220 grit paper first.

The more and more I look into removing scratches the more and more it seems like a bit of a waste.

Taking a rough guess after some snooping online your going to spend close to 80 bucks on all the stuff to remove said scratches along with hours and hours of your time.

Personally I would just wait until a LFS has a good deal on tanks and pick one up. Ive seen them go for as little as a buck a gallon. Seeing as how you have a 75 gallon tank that is already cheaper then what it would cost to maybe repair your old one. I know the amount of work it takes to switch over to a new tank, but there is always something you wish you would have done different in your set up.

Just my personal opinion, but dont we all like getting a new empty tank anyways?

Hollingsheadj said:

The more and more I look into removing scratches the more and more it seems like a bit of a waste.

Taking a rough guess after some snooping online your going to spend close to 80 bucks on all the stuff to remove said scratches along with hours and hours of your time.

Personally I would just wait until a LFS has a good deal on tanks and pick one up. Ive seen them go for as little as a buck a gallon. Seeing as how you have a 75 gallon tank that is already cheaper then what it would cost to maybe repair your old one. I know the amount of work it takes to switch over to a new tank, but there is always something you wish you would have done different in your set up.

Just my personal opinion, but dont we all like getting a new empty tank anyways?

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I'm not about to buy a new tank. The tank I have is rimless and cost me about $400+. If I can buy some sandpaper and some cerium oxide for $20 plus a buffer pad it seems rather affordable.

Time...I have a lot of it - unemployed again. I don't know how long it might take to remove some of these scratches, but I would rather spend 5 hours polishing glass than think of tearing down and setting up a new tank. There might be the option to just turn the tank around, but I cannot tell if the back is scratched equally as bad. I would have to reconfigure my bulkheads in the bottom of the tank and tear the tank down to do this.

Here is another polishing system I found - http://www.janvil.com/glass_scratch.htm

From everything I've read, if the tank is relatively small and/or inexpensive, just get a new tank.

I have a pretty nice looking Half-moon 20G hand-me down. There are some horrid scratches in it and the half moon shape doesn't help with buffing the thing out. I haven't really filled it with water but thats the first step to see if the scratches really bug.

I suppose with a $400 tank the cerium oxide is worth a shot but as far as my research shows, its the only option available. The reason most people try to dissuade others out of it is because of the time and effort. From the sound of it, 5 Hrs. isn't anywhere close to what you should expect to buff those scratches out. It could take you an entire weekend!

If the scratches are deep enough to feel with your fingernails, you're highly unlikely to be able to buff them out.

Matt

Any idea how the glass got scratched? I'd like to avoid that.

Edit: saw on another of your posts it was likely gravel caught in glass cleaner.

Thanks

Jim

helgymatt said:

I would rather spend 5 hours polishing glass than think of tearing down and setting up a new tank.

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I would assume you would have to tear down and set up the current tank after buffing. Wouldn't all that "sanding" place small pieces of glass powder in the current tank. I would assume that would be a bad thing.

Lots of silica dust in sand.

jim

Jim Miller said:

Matt

Any idea how the glass got scratched? I'd like to avoid that.

Edit: saw on another of your posts it was likely gravel caught in glass cleaner.

Thanks

Jim

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I use the super fine steel wool to clean the glass and it must have picked up a piece of gravel.

tcampbell said:

I would assume you would have to tear down and set up the current tank after buffing. Wouldn't all that "sanding" place small pieces of glass powder in the current tank. I would assume that would be a bad thing.

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I don't think glass powder is much of an issue. See the first link - those guys did it without draining the tank.

I remember seeing this stuff on tv not long ago and it showed them rub it on a glass with a scratch and then it was gone. No buffing or anything. I can't remember what the name of it was though.

On a side note. I wouldn't wipe the class with anything in the future except a paper towel or a rag.

I don't know if these are the same products, but here are a few links.

http://bargainkeep.com/inventory/autorepair-pros.php

http://secure.cyberbrands.com/as-seen-on-tv/description.php?lang=2&path=27&id=278

BradH said:

I don't know if these are the same products, but here are a few links.

http://bargainkeep.com/inventory/autorepair-pros.php

http://secure.cyberbrands.com/as-seen-on-tv/description.php?lang=2&path=27&id=278

Click to expand...

I don't think these will work well. I assume this is the same stuff auto glass companies use to fill small chips and cracks in windshields. You can still clearly see the repaired area - they just fill the damage with the resin so it does not get any worse.

I looked into this issue in the past. If the glass can be polished/buffed it will be distorted. I came to the conclusion that the best solution was to buy another tank.

helgymatt said:

So I put several scratches in my aquarium over the last few weeks. I have had scratches before and they have never bothered me much. But these scratches are longer and in the main viewing areas. I found this webpage and explanation of how to remove scratches. My scratches I can definitely feel with my fingernail - apparently any scratch that can be felt with the nail is much harder to remove than one that cannot be felt. It seems odd to me that any scratch could not be felt...so I'm a bit confused with that issue.

http://www.fitchfamily.com/glass.html

I would like to create a discussion about successful scratch removal stories and the how I might go about removing the scratches in my tank. I would prefer not to have to drain the tank. It would be great if I could just lower the water and do like they did in that link.

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By chance is your glass Starphire glass?

No - just regular glass

No one has ever attempted this scratch removal?

I tried it. Cerium oxide and buffer. I just didn't have the time or patience to do it. Sold the tank and got a new one. The supplies can be found relatively cheap. If it's your only option, then go for it, worst case scenario it doesn't work and you're out $20.

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Here is a great discussion about the Janvil Glass Revive system and how it removed scratches from this guys aquarium...
http://www.reefbuilders.com/forums/diy-projects/3484-scratchs-glass-tank.html

I think it is worth the cost and at least a try. If I get this product, I'll be sure to provide pictures and let everyone know how it worked!

The glass is even bugging me more that I finally have some nice Wild Peruvian Angels admire!