Getting Paint off Acrylic Tank

Discussion in 'General Reef Topics' started by hnnhflns, Jul 29, 2013.

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  1. hnnhflns

    hnnhflns Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    I got a used 120 gallon tank and it is designed to be a peninsula tank but the last owner painted the back of the tank. I want to use it as a peninsula tank again but I have no clue how to remove paint without damaging the acrylic.

    I have read about placing paper on the paint and pouring mineral spirits over the paper and letting it soak for a while, then you an wipe the paint away. Does this work?

    Please let me know if you have had any luck removing paint from acrylic.
     
    hnnhflns, Jul 29, 2013
    hnnhflns, Jul 29, 2013
    #1

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  2. Jake337

    Jake337 Astrea Snail

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    Idk if it's different for acrylic but for my glass tank all I do is use a razor blade and the paint comes right off with no damage to the tank.
     
    Jake337, Jul 29, 2013
    Jake337, Jul 29, 2013
    #2
  3. diverdan

    diverdan Bangghai Cardinal

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    Unfortunately I am not sure what would be the best way. Using a razor blade is Not a good idea. It is different from glass. Acrylic is so much softer than glass and scratches much easier. Good idea Jake but not on acrylic.
    Hopefully someone whose done this before will chime in and give you some good advise.
     
    diverdan, Jul 29, 2013
    diverdan, Jul 29, 2013
    #3
  4. hnnhflns

    hnnhflns Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    Yeah. Ruled out scraping it off or using paint thinner or the stronger sovents. But thanks.
     
    hnnhflns, Jul 29, 2013
    hnnhflns, Jul 29, 2013
    #4
  5. khowst

    khowst Bangghai Cardinal

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    I would say repolish the tank. Get a low RPM buffer (under 3000), and some low grit sandpaper like 400 grit, and away you go. If its a used tank it probably has some scratches and youll want to reploish it anyways. Run a search on threads I've made and youll see one not to long ago where I redid a used 225g. Same thing just youll be sanding away the paint and working up from there.
     
    khowst, Jul 29, 2013
    khowst, Jul 29, 2013
    #5
  6. Kevin_E

    Kevin_E Giant Squid

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    That orange Goo Gone stuff should do the trick. Fairly certain it is gentle on acrylic. Test in an unseen area.
     
    Last edited: Jul 30, 2013
    Kevin_E, Jul 30, 2013
    Kevin_E, Jul 30, 2013
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  7. salsalito25

    salsalito25 Stylophora

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    Try a test spot on your tank borrow some of your GF/wifes nail polish remover. Or when in doubt use a old credit card when the edge of it doesnt scrap it off take some scissors and cut a new edge and scrap it again.

    Again just a idea..

    Best of Luck..!
     
    salsalito25, Jul 30, 2013
    salsalito25, Jul 30, 2013
    #7
  8. Kevin_E

    Kevin_E Giant Squid

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    Nail polish remover will mess up the acrylic from my experience.
     
    Kevin_E, Jul 30, 2013
    Kevin_E, Jul 30, 2013
    #8
  9. salsalito25

    salsalito25 Stylophora

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    you know what your Right.. I remeber my wife getting her nails reacrylic'd and they use a acidtone based product and it removed her acrylic nails.. Dont know why I didn't remeber that..

    My Bad....
     
    salsalito25, Jul 30, 2013
    salsalito25, Jul 30, 2013
    #9
  10. Kevin_E

    Kevin_E Giant Squid

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    When it comes to manicures, I am not surprised you tuned her out. ;D
     
    Kevin_E, Jul 30, 2013
    Kevin_E, Jul 30, 2013
    #10
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