acrylic scratches

[spscrazy]

I have a mag float & over time there are alot of fine swirl scratches on the front inside panel of my acrylic tank what is the best kit to use to get rid of them I get alot of coraline on the front bottom & think that it is getting on the mag float & causing the scratches I've used the pro scraper for acrylic & also the algae scraper pads for acrylic & they all seem to leave scratches is there a better item to remove coraline & algae from acrylic without scratching???:cry:

 

[Troylee]

Yeah the scrapers suck use a mr clean magic eraser or the white acrylic scrubbing pads... As for removing the scratches get a micro mesh nc-78 kit you can repair them under water without any harm to the live stock.... The kit will last ya a life time...;)

 

[oigimsar]

Troylee, for scratches on the inside of the tank, do you use the entire system or just the mesh sheets without the detergent?

 

[Troylee]

Just the mesh sheets by the time you get up to 12,000 you don't need any polish or
Detergents etc...

 

[oigimsar]

Thanks, Troylee.

To spscrazy, I was tired of getting the scratches with the mag floats, etc so I started cutting a thin sheet of magic eraser and putting it between the magfloat and the acrylic. I also cut a piece of acrylic polishing cloth to size and do the same thing on the exterior of the tank. I haven't had a new scratch since and it keeps my hand out of the tank. As always, test in a small corner first if you decide to try it.

 

[Troylee]

Great Idea with the mag float never thought
Of that personally... I have used the micromesh kit with a magfloat it works great... As does the rainbow kit with a mag float... Hth

 

[oigimsar]

That helps a ton. Thanks.

 

[kuyatwo]

When I had my tenecor tank up I used dobie pads they worked great I just cut the sponge out and slip the wet side in. The dobie pad is softer than acrylic so it doesn't scratch it


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Murfman]

I do what kyuatwo does as well. I noticed that with my Tiger Shark algae magnet, that small snails were starting to encrust on the velcro, on the wet side. I no longer leave the magnet in the tank.

 

[spscrazy]

thanks for the ideas wouldn't have thought of the magic eraser I found the micro mesh kit $47 ? !! ouch & double ouch since it is more a haze than deep scratches do you think I could just get a sheet of the highest grit paper or is it better to work up the grit levels? also what is a dobie pad and a rainbow kit thanks all for the help & tips!

 

[Troylee]

Rainbow kit is a cheaper version of micro mesh same results just a little more elbow grease.... You could get away buying 8000 and 12,000 grit if ya wanted but the whole kit is nice to have especially if you have scratches on the outside.... Micromesh was developed for restoring windshields in fighter jets etc it's just top notch quality... Anyone who owns a acrylic tank should have a kit it's priceless...;)

 

[spscrazy]

I found a smaller micromesh kit @ hobbylinc.com for $18.79 it comes with 3200, 3600, 4000, 6000, 8000, & 12000 grit paper, 1 flannel cloth, 2x3 foam block, .20 oz micro glass liquid abrasive the $47 kit has 1500, 1800 & 2400 grit 2 polishing cloths, detergent, anti static cream & 3x3 cardboard plus has the grit paper in the smaller kit do I need the 3 lower grit paper or is it ok to start with the 3200 grit? I won't really need the detergent anti static cream or cardboard right???

 

[Murfman]

SPS, I started with 800, for med size scratches and worked up to 8000. I didn't see any of the 8000 scratches on the acrylic.

Dobie? Cleaning Pad

 

[Troylee]

for fixing scratches inside no you don't need all those that other kit would work..... after you buy that kit and use it you will be like gosh i should have just spent the extra cash and got the whole shabang it will last forever...;) you could fix a friends tank and it would pay for it's self haha.... but seriously either will work what ever what you wanna go.....

 

[spscrazy]

"you could fix a friends tank and it would pay for it's self haha" lol too bad I'm Meridians "lone reefer!" right now $30 savings makes it a go later I can kick myself ha ha
thanks Murfman for the link gonna try that magic erasers always fall apart on me

 

[steveb]

Yeah the scrapers suck use a mr clean magic eraser or the white acrylic scrubbing pads... As for removing the scratches get a micro mesh nc-78 kit you can repair them under water without any harm to the live stock.... The kit will last ya a life time...;)

I know yall are gonna say stupid question... but do you use the mr. clean magic eraser in the tank with livestock as a normal day 2 day cleaning tool?

 

[rkaires]

10-4 just make sure its the original Mr. Clean Magic Eraser without any additives.

 

[spscrazy]

got the magic eraser & dobie pad last night I get some very hard brown algae (?)that is tiny dots & is a real bugger to get off with the mag float I have to go over & over & over to get it off very frustrating & I wind up giving up around the edges In a few minutes with the magic eraser every bit of the front was perfectly clean & my arm didn't feel like it was gonna fall off!!! guess the thing really is MAGIC if anyone ever has another "what is your best reefing tool" thread this would be my top pick kudos troylee !

 

[Gabe]

Yeah the scrapers suck use a mr clean magic eraser or the white acrylic scrubbing pads...

Just got back from Home Depot where I picked up some magic erasers. My mag-float that is "acrylic safe" already put some scratches in the front panel. Using the magic eraser just now though is by far the cleanest my acrylic has looked. One small cube for the inside, one small cube for the outside. I don't mind getting my hand wet to make it look that clear. Thanks Troylee.