How to Polish an Acrylic Tank

Acrylic fish tanks offers habitats that are easier to clean than many other types of fish tank, requiring less maintenance. However, like any other type of aquatic habitat, scratches will eventually form and become more and more pronounced, leaving unsightly marks on the acrylic. Owners can remove those scratches with a bit of polishing, using a different items. The time to polish out the scratches, depends on the severity of the scratches.

Things You'll Need

  • 800-grit sandpaper
  • Tack cloth
  • 1000-grit sandpaper
  • Polishing compound
  • Polishing rags
  • Buffer
  • Plastic polish cleaner
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Instructions

    • 1

      Abrade the acrylic where the scratches appear using 800-grit sandpaper. Continue sanding until the scratches are gone or appear barely visible. A film from the sanding will appear.

    • 2

      Wipe down the surface thoroughly with a tack cloth after it has been well sanded to clean off any dust.

    • 3

      Sand the same area using 1000-grit sandpaper, making the surface smooth and rubbing out any traces of the scratches. Another film will appear while using 1000-grit sandpaper. Clean the film off with a tack cloth.

    • 4

      Treat the area you sanded with a polishing compound. Use a clean polishing rag, rubbing on the compound in a circular motion. Immediately buff the polishing compound into the acrylic with a buffer while it is wet.

    • 5

      Dab on plastic polish cleaner with a clean cloth and buff over the acrylic tank once again with the buffer until the cleaner disappears.

    • 6

      Wipe down the entire tank, concentrating on the repaired area, with a clean cloth to finish the job.