Acrylic scratch removal...??

[mishelly00]

Hello everyone, I just got a used Sea Clear 2 75 gal setup. I am very new to this whole thing and I currently only have a 30 gal all fish aquarium that is pretty new. Well my husband and I cleaned out this very dirtly tank last night and it is now very clean and ready to go. The only thing is now that it is clean there are many scratches all over the inside front. I expected to find some but there are quite a few. I know that sell the scratch remover kits. My question is,,,,do these work?? I need to do this as fast as possible because I had to put three fish in my 30g that was in that tank and that has put me over the amount of fish that I should have in it. After using one of these scratch kits does the tank need to be rinsed out again??? UGHHH!!!

Thanks for any info you can give me......
Michelle

 

[mbrands]

I have a glass tank, but as I understand it minor scratches are fairly easy to remove from acrylic tanks. The scratch removal kit is likely several pieces of sandpaper (or sandpaper-like material). You will start with the roughest one and work towards the finest one.
Good luck!

 

[knots]

I used a scratch remover about 8 years ago and it did a really good job. It was kind of like a wax and you rub it in and it took out all the minor scratches. It had to be rinsed really good and I think I bought it at a hardware store. But I don't remember the name of it. Sorry I don't have more info on the product but I do remember it worked great and wasn't that hard to use.

 

[msd2]

Yes, its exactly what the kit is, a bunch of different grades of sandpaper. If you take your time it will totally remove your scratches. BTW you can remove the scratches even with the tank full of water/animals.

 

[mishelly00]

Thank You very much for your replies. I feel much better knowing that I can get these scratches out if not all of them, I just want some out!! I got this set up for a very cheap price so I can't expect it to be perfect....LOL. I am sooooo excited about this. I am starting to get the syndrome where I plan out my aquarium in my sleep..LOL Thanks Again, Michelle

 

[devious]

msd2:
How can you remove the inner scratches with the tank full???
:notsure:

 

[msd2]

Originally posted by DevIouS
msd2:
How can you remove the inner scratches with the tank full???
:notsure:
I put a thin piece of foam and then the sandpaper up to the acrylic with the magnetic cleaner. Since the material removed is very little and inert it doesnt pose a health concern for the animals.

 

[trainfever]

You could always try buffing the scratches out first with cigarette ashes, that is if you or someone in your house smokes. Take a damp rag and dip it into the ashes and then polish the scratches in a circular motion. The ashes make a very fine polishing medium. It works great removing those circular rings left on fine furniture from glasses.