How to remove scratches from glass

[Droberts0724]

So we got a 150 gallon used tank but it much more scratched then we expected. How can we restore the glass at least so they are less noticeable?? Help need suggestions....

 

[Old Fritz]

I had a friend use this guide in the past

How to Fix a Scratch on Aquarium Glass

An unfortunately located scratch in your aquarium glass can greatly detract from the overall appearance of your underwater ecosystem, especially if it catches the light or crosses a favorite decoration. The depth of the scratch affects how well it can be fixed, so keep your expectations...

animals.mom.me

Note if it's a huge gouge don't recommend using this method

 

[ZoWhat]

Did you pay anything for this 150g?

 

[pdxmonkeyboy]

Well, get ready to burn some calories as it is neither quick, easy, clean or fun.

Get yourself a felt polishing pad from amazon.. the kind that goes into a drill. Get a bag of cirium oxide powder and i would also get a couple tubes of diamond lapping paste..at least the 40 micron.. nothing finner.

Now simply get your pad wet, putt a glob of paste on the pad and go to town. Have faith it does make them less visible. One 5" scratch will likely take an hour. You can use the cirium oxide for really faint scratches.

 

[Droberts0724]

I had a friend use this guide in the past

How to Fix a Scratch on Aquarium Glass

An unfortunately located scratch in your aquarium glass can greatly detract from the overall appearance of your underwater ecosystem, especially if it catches the light or crosses a favorite decoration. The depth of the scratch affects how well it can be fixed, so keep your expectations...

animals.mom.me

Note if it's a huge gouge don't recommend using this method

Thanks!

 

[C. Eymann]

Yeah the only thing I think will work is a diamond paste compound like mentioned above, I use it to restore watch crystals, it won't completely remove deep scratches but it will smooth out the edges of the scratches so it doesn't catch light as much or appear as noticeable.

Dont go too ham on it though, I know with dive watches it can affect the integrity of the crystal a little.

 

[jd371]

I used to work in a glass shop. Cerium Oxide powder, buffing pad, water and a lot of elbow grease. I would use this to buff out scratches on windshields. Run your finger nail over the scratch and if it gets caught inside it's too deep and buffing it out will cause a distortion and might be more noticeable than the scratch, it can be done but you have to find the midway point were the scratch is less noticeable without distorting. Light scratches are no problem and can be buffed out in no time with less pressure on the buffing pad like you would need on something deeper. Do this outside because you will make a mess with all the wet powder.

 

[Droberts0724]

Yeah the only thing I think will work is a diamond paste compound like mentioned above, I use it to restore watch crystals, it won't completely remove deep scratches but it will smooth out the edges of the scratches so it doesn't catch light as much or appear as noticeable.

Dont go too ham on it though, I know with dive watches it can affect the integrity of the crystal a little.

I will try it...thank you!

 

[pdxmonkeyboy]

I love it when you take the time to answer someones question with first hand knowledge, someone else says the same thing and they get the thank you.

Classic. Not even a like.

 

[albano]

The time, energy and $ spent TRYING to remove glass scratches are almost always not worth it. Maybe someone needs a large sump.

I switched to acrylic back in 1991 and I’ll never have a glass DT again!

 

[Droberts0724]

Did you pay anything for this 150g?

Yes too much they brought it at night and never saw the scratches. It was put in my garage. The stsnd is worth 300 though. So I was thinking let me sell it and just buy a new tank. Ugh rookie move.

 

[Droberts0724]

I love it when you take the time to answer someones question with first hand knowledge, someone else says the same thing and they get the thank you.

Classic. Not even a like.

Sorry it was because I honestly had the worst day ever!! I moved my biocube upstairs!!! It was a nightmare and over but still a bad day! Thank you for the good advice. I will most likely just buy a new tank

 

[Droberts0724]

I used to work in a glass shop. Cerium Oxide powder, buffing pad, water and a lot of elbow grease. I would use this to buff out scratches on windshields. Run your finger nail over the scratch and if it gets caught inside it's too deep and buffing it out will cause a distortion and might be more noticeable than the scratch, it can be done but you have to find the midway point were the scratch is less noticeable without distorting. Light scratches are no problem and can be buffed out in no time with less pressure on the buffing pad like you would need on something deeper. Do this outside because you will make a mess with all the wet powder.

It's bad gonna replace it....

 

[pdxmonkeyboy]

That sucks man. You probably already tried but i would contact the guy and say hey.. i didnt know the tank was scratched this bad?

It would make a good sump though!

 

[Droberts0724]

That sucks man. You probably already tried but i would contact the guy and say hey.. i didnt know the tank was scratched this bad?

It would make a good sump though!

Yes I moved the tank upstairs to make room for the one downstairs. The guy knew what he was doing coming at night. The stand is nice just hoping to find another tank and sell the beat up one as reptile tank or sump I guess. Well lesson learned. I'm just glad my tank is back up...hope all my fish and coral do well. I also dropped about 3 gallons of water in room all over the floor....it literally was a nightmare! The guy is no where to be found now...go figure.