Removing paint help

[renato120]

I just bought an used acrylic frag tank. The side is painted blue color. What can I use to remove this paint? I tried acetone, and doesnt work. Thanks.

 

[Sm51498]

If the paint isn't the type that bonds into the plastic, a razor blade is likely your best bet. If it is the type that bonds, you will never get it off.

 

[renato120]

I got the paint removed. I need to polish the acrylic now. Does home depot have anything to do this?

 

[Smo]

I got the paint removed. I need to polish the acrylic now. Does home depot have anything to do this?

If it's a relatively small area...try a headlight polishing kit from your local auto parts store. If you have deep scratches you may need to wet sand with abrasive papers starting at around 500 and going up to 2000. Also available at your local auto parts store.
If it's a large area then there are acrylic polishing kits available on line.

 

[renato120]

If it's a relatively small area...try a headlight polishing kit from your local auto parts store. If you have deep scratches you may need to wet sand with abrasive papers starting at around 500 and going up to 2000. Also available at your local auto parts store.
If it's a large area then there are acrylic polishing kits available on line.

I have to polish the entire tank, inside and outside. I have 800, 1500, 2000 sand paper. I will check at an auto parts store.

 

[renato120]

Help here:
I removed the paint with acetone.
I sanded with 400, 800, 1500, and 2000.
It looks very foggy, the acrylic its not clear at all. What Am I doing wrong?

 

[jason_mazzy]

probably have to keep going. i would assume 30k

 

[renato120]

probably have to keep going. i would assume 30k

What is 30k? Thanks

 

[jason_mazzy]

Higher grit. It's that mirror finish on paint

 

[renato120]

Higher grit. It's that mirror finish on paint

Wow! I thought this would be easy! Not sure if I can do this lol.... I will buy it tomorrow

 

[TbyZ]

Even if you could use 3000 grit with soapy water, the acrylic would still look foggy when dry!

A cheap next step to bring up a transparent finish is brass polish, or Brasso, a common household product.

 

[jason_mazzy]

I'm just stating keep going. When I have ever done anything that needed clear you worked yourself up basically until you're using a paste.

 

[EricP]

You will need to use a polishing machine and very fine compound. I would see if you can borrow a machine polisher. Compounds are available at the auto parts store. I use 3m products. I would start with rubbing compound then move to polishing compound then a finishing glaze. Just my .02

 

[EricP]

If you cant borrow one, this will work. May need some polishing pads for it. Not sure what it comes with.
http://www.harborfreight.com/power-...ty-digital-variable-speed-polisher-69696.html

 

[renato120]

Can I use any product to buff the inside? How Am I going to take the scratches inside? Im afraid tonuse anything and kill the corals and fish when I run fhe tank

 

[EricP]

You will need to polish out the scratches on the inside also. When finished the tank will need to be thoroughly cleaned. Nothing will be absorbed into the acrylic.

 

[renato120]

You will need to polish out the scratches on the inside also. When finished the tank will need to be thoroughly cleaned. Nothing will be absorbed into the acrylic.

Ok so when I use the polish compound it will make everything looking nice again. When I clean the tank inside isnt it going to take the finish off? I just used the headlight restoration kit outside. It looks much better. But Im afraid to use it inside..

 

[renato120]

Is this bad? It doesnt look good. Is there any way to remove it? Its on the top, and some corners.

 

[EricP]

I am not sure the headlight kit is very efficient. It can work but I think it will take a long time. With a professional polisher you can make it crystal clear. If you were closer I would lend you one of mine. Cleaning will not ruin the finish. use a real soft dust free towel. Its not something that the average guy does. This is normally a job for a pro. They get big money to do this. I'm not trying to discourage you one bit. I am not a professional at doing acrylic tanks. I have done it. I learned how to polish doing big dollar paint on bikes. Since doing that I have polished all kinds of things. Paint, Stainless steel, brass, aluminum, and acrylic. Take your time. You can do this.

 

[renato120]

I am not sure the headlight kit is very efficient. It can work but I think it will take a long time. With a professional polisher you can make it crystal clear. If you were closer I would lend you one of mine. Cleaning will not ruin the finish. use a real soft dust free towel. Its not something that the average guy does. This is normally a job for a pro. They get big money to do this. I'm not trying to discourage you one bit. I am not a professional at doing acrylic tanks. I have done it. I learned how to polish doing big dollar paint on bikes. Since doing that I have polished all kinds of things. Paint, Stainless steel, brass, aluminum, and acrylic. Take your time. You can do this.

I bought this on ebay! They also sell it at BRS.