Finally stepping up with the big boys.

Looking good so far. Following along. Btw great helpers you have very willing to test things out for ya.

 

I wont bore you all with pics of each sanding, plus I didn't take them. One of the first things I did though was take one of the overflows out. Why? Well cause they are only siliconed in and there was gaps so they served no purpose. They will get cleaned up and put back in sealed nice and tight with some Weldon when I'm done.

A general front shot. It's really not as bad as it looks cause there is old white coralline on the back panel and a lot of water spots. You can see some of the scratches though. Over all there is some, but really only 2 maybe 3 each foot of tank length you can feel with your finger nail.



I started on the left hand side since when the tank goes in that will be the least viewed side and since I never polished acrylic before I started there in case I screwed up.

First pass with 600 grit.



End of polishing day 1. You can definitely see an improvement between the one I worked on and the far one.



Yes the sanding was done all by hand. I only use the orbital for the polish and went per Novus instructions of 1,3,1,2,1. There is still some small scratches and even a few sanding marks left, but I am no expert and happy with the progress made so far.

 

Just had a couple of comments. Your tank looks like it's going to be spectacular.

now, my unrelated comments....I love that coffee table you built and your kids are too darn cute!!

 

Thanks. This is actually where I got the idea and kinda the direction I am heading with the furniture and tank skin. I found this on CL in Dallas. Too bad I live 12 hours away and cant save myself the trouble and get it lol. I did call and talk to the guy about his wood finish, and he actually made this himself. My wall paneling is a light wood color so the grayed barn wood would've been just too much light color in the room imo so that's why I went a little bit darker. Granted the rustic look isn't the most matching for a SW aquarium and bright 14k lights, but I want to do something different than the basic skin and molding aquarium stands.

 

Day 1.5 polishing. Got half the front done. Looking good IMO. I was still nervous about the whole sand polish thing but confidence in climbing fast. Only or two light scratches still there. Water helps hide them a little and if not I can live with it.

 

Front side done, or as done as it is getting for the time being.

 

I think it gives that seaside, saltwater worn wood look. Reminds of the docks on the beach. I love it.

 

Not a lot of progress today, just cleaning up back glass, and by cleaning I mean getting the old silicone from the overflows off and getting the old white coralline off. Maybe a pass with novus but haven't decided yet.

I did learn a few things about polishing acrylic though. First it is real intimidating but way way easier than I thought. I must work for geico cause a caveman just did it, you can too.

First less than 1000grit didn't really seem to be needed unless its a pretty good gouge, and I mean a gouge. I only had one spot that 600 was needed. If you have a gouge, what I would call where your fingernail stops as you slide it over the tank, use a marker on the opposite side of the tank, this will help you look and see the reduction without turning the tank or stopping your work.

Next all the stuff on the net says to go perpendicular with the scratch, definitely it only makes sense. Also always work in a left right, or up and down, don't swirl. A lot of videos also said go one direction, upgrade grit then to the other 90 degree. I went both left right over my area, then up down, and then switched. Wet sand and use PLENTY of water. I tipped the tank on the side I was working on and used 1/8 inch easy.

A lot of pressure isn't needed. If you feel enough pressure that it isn't simply sliding your doing enough. The harder you push the more your sanding. Although your using sandpaper the goal is polishing, not sanding.

Reading some of the tech stuff it said novus 3 is roughly the same as 3000 grit. I tried it all 3 ways in different spots, just 3000, just novus 3, and both. Might just be cause of double work but both was the way to go.

Speaking of novus, I bought the 8oz bottle and it was plenty. I did multiple passes inside and out and still have 1/2 bottle of 1&3 and maybe 1/3 bottle of 2.

When it comes Novus time, save your arm and get a orbital polisher. Makes sure its less than 3000 rpms though. Faster can burn and warp the acrylic. I bought one for $30 at autozone. They have more expensive and sexy ones but they are also higher speed. I almost went with a powerball like a lot of youtube videos, but the price difference was $5 and I can wash and replace the pads on the polisher.

When using Novus. I found after reading and trying it that its best to go 1,3,1,2,1. Why so much one? Its a cleaner and helps to remove any reside or particles left behind. Also use a different rag for each level of novus. one rag to wipe off 3, one for 2. When using the novus make sure rag, pad whatever is wet with the product. if you let it dry its takes some elbow grease to get off. You have to be much more generous with novus 2, it just dries faster. With the polisher I was easily doing a 2ft x 2ft section at a time. With novus 2 I was limited to a 12 x 12 for best results without having to constantly add more. It just dries quicker. Also working in the shade prolonged usage too, sunlight just dried it right up. Novus 1 was hand applied with microfiber rags.

Overall even with the polisher it was a lot of work, but considering I bought my tank for half of what others in the area cost based on looks I think it turned out excellent. Maybe not perfect but I could go back and readjust the few minor visible areas I have, and still might. At the same time it doesn't necessarily have to be glass smooth finish as the water will also help hide some small light scratches.

Looking back at some of the tanks I skipped by in the past due to my reluctance and lack of knowledge I could had some really great deals. In the future I may start giving them more interest and attention just to flip them. Be a good weekend have a few beers while I work, make a couple bucks project.

 

i bet there is some decent money to be made. its looking great

 

I mean just as an example about year ago I passed up a 300gl for $500 based on the pictures posted on CL. It was listed scratched and holding water but might look better as a reptile tank. Pictures were pretty close up. This tank I bought and when I saw it in person it looked just as bad or worse than that one. Now that i'm more confident and proficient even with hand sanding again I think I could put one that size in pretty good shape in a weekend, and tanks that size in this area seem to hit around $750-1000. So potentially $300 or more profit in a weekend of work while I sip beer, work & watch the kids? Not a bad deal.