Sanding Acrylic

[danielratti]

I have noticed this topic come up a lot lately so I will share me experience with it...

If the tank is empty you can use a palm sander if you are doing a whole tank if it is just a small area you can do it by hand.

You will need 400 800 1000 and 2000 grit wet/dry sand paper along with novous to remove the haze from the sanding. A spray bottle with water is also helpful due to the fact that this will make it easier to keep the sand paper wet.

Between every sanding you will want to wipe the glass down in order to keep it clean and clear from the last sanding. You will got 400 to 2000 sanding.  Once do all of your sanding this is where the novus come in to play. You will want to start with novus 2 to polish it up and then novus 3 to get it to shine. Novus one is really not necessary but it will help prevent scratches to an extent and help keep the static cling down on the acrylic.

Now if the tank was full yet and you do not want to go through the hassle of draining the tank and so on and so forth to sand it you can buy a kit that is for sanding with the tank full. These are something I use everyday at work cleaning some of the tanks I deal with. Generally this is for removing smaller areas of scratches. For this you will need what ever kit you choose generally I use one from lifeguard. sanding a tank that is full is different because you are using a tank cleaning magnet preferably a good one like a magnavore.

 If a tank has never been sanded before it is generally a good idea to only use half of the paper on the magnet because it will have a tendency to stick to the acrylic. You generally want to work your way up to the grit you fell is necessary to hide where the scratches were sometimes going all the way to 4000 works the best. But the idea is the same as sanding it by hand if the tank was empty. Some scratches will come out easier then others but you just keep working at it and they will clear on its own. The sanding kits generally come with a finishing polish but I have never used it so I cannot give my input on it there. But seeing as the tank is full I do not think it is a good idea to add a polish to the tanks water.

Hopefully this helps someone out in the future.

[four_by_ken]

Excellent post!

I'm sure I will have questions over this winter.

[danielratti]

If I'm ever down your way I can even come help you. Some are really bad and they will not be able to get them out all the way

[four_by_ken]

Thanks, I will keep that in mind.

I want to get a piece of junk acrylic to test on first.

[danielratti]

i might have some 3/8th in the garage i can get to you

[four_by_ken]

That would be great.

[danielratti]

Ill drive the truck over it before i get it to you.

[four_by_ken]

Hahahahahaha

[mightieskeeper]

Drag it down the road behind the truck, don't want any clean spots. lol

[linuxrulesusa]

I missed this earlier.  Excellent addition to the DIY section.  If you get a chance, pics would be awesome.  Either way, this is great info.

[danielratti]

He will have to do pics... I can bring you some acrylic firday if you want it still.

[four_by_ken]

He will have to do pics... I can bring you some acrylic firday if you want it still.

That would be great!

[danielratti]

Its 3/4.that work?

[four_by_ken]

Its 3/4.that work?

Perfect!

[danielratti]

Ill go throw it in the driveway right now.