How to fix scratches.

[Wolf89]

I just picked up my fish tank, and it has some very minor scratches that I am hoping to eradicate. I remember reading that if it did not catch your fingernail, than it is easily fixed. Well thankfully, they dont catch my nail. So, how do I fix it? Thanks

 

[Crabs McJones]

Is it a glass or acrylic tank?

 

[Wolf89]

Is it a glass or acrylic tank?

I'm not sure, how do I tell? But Im pretty sure its glass. It's like an inch thick

 

[justmee]

I'm not sure, how do I tell? But Im pretty sure its glass. It's like an inch thick

Glass is a lot heavier than acrylic...

Glass is hard and not worth buffing scratches out, and with acrylic, you can go to a plastic store to purchase a buffing kit... but if the scratches doesn't catch your nail, than I don't think it will show when you fill it up with water.

 

[Crabs McJones]

I'm not sure, how do I tell? But Im pretty sure its glass. It's like an inch thick

Can you post a picture of the tank?

 

[lapin]

Is it your 90 gallon tank? If its 1" thick and glass it would weight 400 lbs or more

 

[Wolf89]

Is it your 90 gallon tank? If its 1" thick and glass it would weight 400 lbs or more

yeah the 90. Maybe it's closer to .75 inch or even .5 of an inch, I'm pretty terrible at measuring with my eyes

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Does your tank have silicone in the corners? Most likely it is a glass tank w/ 1/2 inch glass. As mentioned not Worth trying to get the scratches out. Take some water and rub it on the scratch. It should mostly disappear anyway when it is filled. My tank has tons of scratches. No matter how careful I a, they still happen

 

[Jon Fishman]

I have been too afraid to try.... BUT, researching how to get scratches out of a sapphire crystal watch face, it seems like people have great success with it...... It may work for aquarium glass.

In order to not cause any hazy glass etc, you may want to intentionally scratch the bottom or an old tank etc, and try to remove it to see the result


Either way, just google how to remove scratches from a watch face. It is basically buffing with toothpaste

 

[lapin]

Pretend its like a used car. Its going to have a few scratches. It will get a few more. If we want to be the first to scratch it, then we buy new ones. Polishing out glass is not my idea of fun. Unless its for a telescope lens.

 

[Westernks reefer]

No point in buffing out if it’s glass if it’s acrylic use novus 3 part

 

[Philipgonzales3]

Why is there no point in buffing out glass? What does this mean? That the scratch won't come out right?

 

[Westernks reefer]

Why is there no point in buffing out glass? What does this mean? That the scratch won't come out right?

Glass is a lot harder then acrylic. How big of scratches are we talking if there small when you fill with water you probably won’t see them is what I meant by no point in buffing it. As far as if it’s a monster of a scratch I’ve never really heard or seen of someone be successful at getting big scratches out of glass. But I won’t go as far as saying it’s impossible there might be someone out there that has done it. But I do know if you buff the glass wrong it will leave it hazy

 

[jtl]

I personally have never had any success removing scratches from glass. I only made it worse.

 

[Dexter_SA]

can try cerium oxide to buffer scratches. but you will need allot of elbow grease.