Scratched Acrylic

**lobsternoob** · 01-08-2009, 06:54 AM

I have a 40 gal acrylic tank that just recently started to show a lot of small scratches, i mean like, all over the front of the tank, on the inside(i bought it used, for 30$, and the guy said he had fixed the scratches "it used to have). I thought maybe i did it cleaning off algae, but the scrub pads i use say acrylic safe and they mean it. To test i tried a small area in the rear near the bottom of the tank inside and out, and my scrub pad did not scratch it.

I doubt that there is, but im hoping there is some kind of solution i can use to fix these scratches without totally tearing down the tank. I'd rather live with them than tear it apart and start it over. and no matter what i do, i can't drain the tank far enough during a WC to dry off the areas the scratches are in. So im stuck with either being able to fix it in a wet environment, or not being able to fix it at all. I'm thinking the answer is gonna be i can't fix it at all, but i'd love to hear otherwise.

I don't want to try it out, but has anyone ever tried wet/dry sandpaper with a grit of over 2000? its not that common to find, but it might be possible if it can polish the surface smoothly enough.

**korith** · 01-08-2009, 09:01 AM

Originally Posted by lobsternoob

I don't want to try it out, but has anyone ever tried wet/dry sandpaper with a grit of over 2000? its not that common to find, but it might be possible if it can polish the surface smoothly enough.

I've read people have done that to remove scratches not sure what grit they used though. Might want to call up some local lfs and see if they carry any products to remove scratches with or have ideas. Hit up google and research too. I came across a fair bit of posts regarding scratches back when I had to replace the top brace for my 55g tank.

**Dave66** · 01-08-2009, 10:00 AM

What I use: http://www.novuspolish.com/

On the outside of the tank, of course.

Dave

**oldhead** · 01-08-2009, 11:31 AM

I've seen rumor of people using toothpaste to remove scratches. Never really read about the process but it might be something you can get more information about on Google or something. Good luck.

**BigMac** · 01-08-2009, 01:16 PM

I have a couple really big scratches in my 125 inside the tank.

SO I'm watching this thread close ;)

**Northernguy** · 01-08-2009, 01:49 PM

Originally Posted by BigMac

I have a couple really big scratches in my 125 inside the tank.

SO I'm watching this thread close ;)

If its inside the tank its going to be more work.You will have to drain and empty the tank first.Its not that hard to buff out scratches but it can be messy and will need to cleaned very well afterwards.

**james481** · 01-08-2009, 05:50 PM

Have you tried something like this? They claim it can be used underwater, but I don't have any personal experience with this product. It does seem to get good reviews though.

**tropfish** · 01-09-2009, 02:16 AM

Originally Posted by oldhead

I've seen rumor of people using toothpaste to remove scratches. Never really read about the process but it might be something you can get more information about on Google or something. Good luck.

They say that about automotive headlight lenses too, while it helps somewhat there, it doesn;t show much of a difference. also, don't use toothpaste because it will obviously leave harmful residue