How to remove scratches in glass?

offish

Small Fish
Jan 3, 2004
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#1
I have recently purchased a new, well ok, second hand aquarium. It was such a bargain I just had to, however the front glass has lots of not too deep scratches in it. Not then a bargain you might argue!!!

So, who can tell me how to polish them out, if indeed there is a way?
 

Managuense

Superstar Fish
May 16, 2003
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#2
there IS a way you can remove scratches from glass, but i cant remember the chemical needed to do it.....and if i recall correctly it is still extremely difficult to do. :mad:

i think you are pretty much stuck with the scratches you have unfortunately.

have you filled it with water yet?

some tanks look scratched up until you actually fill them with water, at which point they dont look so bad anymore.
 

offish

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Jan 3, 2004
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#3
Cheers Gene. In answer, no it's not yet full but it's gonna look pretty bad. let's face it, unless you buy your gear new your gonna get a few scratches but this is worse than any of my other tanks.

I am still working with one of the guys at my lfs, we're all convinced (as you are!) that it is possible, and not that dificult, but as yet no one seems to have quite the knowledge/experience we need!!

Perhaps if I do find out I'll stick it up here - then others can make use!
 

Managuense

Superstar Fish
May 16, 2003
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#4
i found one reference to it :

it is from www.cichlid-forum.com in the library section.

* = This is not entirely true. Scratches can be removed using a Hydrochloric acid (HCl). It will work with about any concentration, the higher it is the quicker it will work, but it will also increase the risk of going too deep. A 20% HCl solution is recommended. Practice on a small piece of glass before doing this to your aquarium. Just dip some cotton-wool in the solution and keep rubbing it over the scratch. It will fade away while rubbing. Keep enough fresh water handy to rinse away the acid. Be careful where it drips!!! When you feel the moisture on your fingers, wash them with water and use some new cotton-wool. Your fingers will not drop of immediatly. ;) Use at your own risk.
 

Purple

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Oct 31, 2003
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#5
ah - sometimes the old ones are the best - lol - when i were a lad we had to remove our own scratches............mostly on motorbike tacho covers which were plastic

so - if you have a plastic tank with a shallow scratch............

Brasso (metal polish - comes in a tin of impregnated wadding)

gently does it - and not in front of the fish (the stuff stinks)
 

Nov 5, 2002
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Auburn, CA
#6
Maybe a dumb question here . . . but you said that the "front of the tank" has scratches in it. Does that side have to be the front? Is it a bow front? is there a permanent bacground on the other side? If not why can't the "front" be the "back"?

Probably an easy answer to this but just thought I would ask.

*celebrate
 

supahtim

Large Fish
Jun 30, 2003
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#7
turn the tank around :D lol

i've never heard of removing scratches out of glass...if they are that deep, then it might be better to replace the whole side.

how big is the tank? what will you have in it?

Tim
 

AndyL

Large Fish
Oct 22, 2002
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Calgary AB
#9
I'd have to look, but somewhere around here (located in a pile of miscelaneous fishy sprawl) I have a aquarium scratch removal kit. Came in a fancy plastic box, had a bunch of drill attachments for buffing/polishing and a half dozen cutting agents. I bought it on clearance from the pet store - can't remember much about it; other than I figured it would be useful eventually :) I'm sure a big-als or other 'good' fish chain could find you a similar kit.

Andy
 

offish

Small Fish
Jan 3, 2004
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#10
Finally (maybe) cracked it - no pun intended!

Apparantly a cleaning solution called jewlers rouge (which contains cerium oxide) can be used, providing the scratches aren't too deep. This comes recommended by an area manager for one of our lfs chains (mr and mrs purple, you'll know them - maidenhead aquatics). Gonna need lots of elbow grease tho'!!

Will let you know how I get on, that is once I finally track the stuff down, AND assuming i don't completely **** my new tank!!

Also, for those who doubted - it's a corner unit so no, i cant just turn it round!! Thanks any way tho'.

its about 170l and gonna house either a few small marines or a octo.
 

Gomer

Superstar Fish
Apr 25, 2003
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#11
Be sure to wear gloves with all these chemical treatments!

HCl is obvious, but here is the MSDS (Material Safty Data Sheet) on Cerium Oxide (CeO2)

Product #: 22410 Name: CERIC OXIDE
MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET, Valid 11/2003- 1/2004
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sigma-Aldrich
3050 Spruce Street
SAINT LOUIS MO 63103
USA
Technical Phone: 314 771 5765
Fax: 800 325 5052
Emergency Phone: 414 273 3850 Ext. 5996



[TOP]
SECTION 1. CHEMICAL IDENTIFICATION
CATALOG #: 22410
NAME: CERIC OXIDE

[TOP]
SECTION 2. COMPOSITION/INFORMATION ON INGREDIENTS
CAS #: 1306-38-3
MF: CEO2
EC NO: 215-150-4
SYNONYMS
CERIA * CERIC DIOXIDE * CERIC OXIDE * CERIUM DIOXIDE * CERIUM(4+)
OXIDE * MOLYCOMP 5310 * NEEDLAL * NEEDLAL U15 * NEEDLAL W15 * NEEDLAL
W10-01 * NIDORAL * OPALINE *

[TOP]
SECTION 3. HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION
LABEL PRECAUTIONARY STATEMENTS
CAUTION:
AVOID CONTACT AND INHALATION.
TARGET ORGAN(S):
BLOOD

[TOP]
SECTION 4. FIRST-AID MEASURES
IF SWALLOWED, WASH OUT MOUTH WITH WATER PROVIDED PERSON IS CONSCIOUS.
CALL A PHYSICIAN.
IF INHALED, REMOVE TO FRESH AIR. IF BREATHING BECOMES DIFFICULT,
CALL A PHYSICIAN.
IN CASE OF CONTACT, IMMEDIATELY WASH SKIN WITH SOAP AND COPIOUS
AMOUNTS OF WATER.
IN CASE OF CONTACT WITH EYES, FLUSH WITH COPIOUS AMOUNTS OF WATER
FOR AT LEAST 15 MINUTES. ASSURE ADEQUATE FLUSHING BY SEPARATING
THE EYELIDS WITH FINGERS. CALL A PHYSICIAN.

[TOP]
SECTION 5. FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES
EXTINGUISHING MEDIA
WATER SPRAY.
CARBON DIOXIDE, DRY CHEMICAL POWDER OR APPROPRIATE FOAM.
SPECIAL FIREFIGHTING PROCEDURES
WEAR SELF-CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS AND PROTECTIVE CLOTHING TO
PREVENT CONTACT WITH SKIN AND EYES.
UNUSUAL FIRE AND EXPLOSIONS HAZARDS
EMITS TOXIC FUMES UNDER FIRE CONDITIONS.

[TOP]
SECTION 6. ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES
WEAR RESPIRATOR, CHEMICAL SAFETY GOGGLES, RUBBER BOOTS AND HEAVY
RUBBER GLOVES.
SWEEP UP, PLACE IN A BAG AND HOLD FOR WASTE DISPOSAL.
AVOID RAISING DUST.
VENTILATE AREA AND WASH SPILL SITE AFTER MATERIAL PICKUP IS COMPLETE.

[TOP]
SECTION 7. HANDLING AND STORAGE
REFER TO SECTION 8.

[TOP]
SECTION 8. EXPOSURE CONTROLS/PERSONAL PROTECTION
SAFETY SHOWER AND EYE BATH.
MECHANICAL EXHAUST REQUIRED.
AVOID INHALATION.
AVOID CONTACT WITH EYES, SKIN AND CLOTHING.
AVOID PROLONGED OR REPEATED EXPOSURE.
NIOSH/MSHA-APPROVED RESPIRATOR.
COMPATIBLE CHEMICAL-RESISTANT GLOVES.
CHEMICAL SAFETY GOGGLES.
KEEP TIGHTLY CLOSED.
STORE IN A COOL DRY PLACE.
WASH THOROUGHLY AFTER HANDLING.

[TOP]
SECTION 9. PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
APPEARANCE AND ODOR
SOLID.
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
SPECIFIC GRAVITY: 7.13
SWISS POISON CLASS: 4

[TOP]
SECTION 10. STABILITY AND REACTIVITY
STABILITY
STABLE.
CONDITIONS TO AVOID
ABSORBS CO2 FROM AIR.
INCOMPATIBILITIES
STRONG OXIDIZING AGENTS
HAZARDOUS COMBUSTION OR DECOMPOSITION PRODUCTS
CARBONYL FLUORIDE
HAZARDOUS POLYMERIZATION
WILL NOT OCCUR.

[TOP]
SECTION 11. TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION
ACUTE EFFECTS
MAY CAUSE SKIN IRRITATION.
MAY BE HARMFUL IF ABSORBED THROUGH THE SKIN.
MAY CAUSE EYE IRRITATION.
MAY BE HARMFUL IF INHALED.
MATERIAL MAY BE IRRITATING TO MUCOUS MEMBRANES AND UPPER
RESPIRATORY TRACT.
MAY BE HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED.
INHALATION OF RARE EARTHS MAY CAUSE SENSITIVITY TO HEAT, ITCHING,
INCREASED AWARENESS OF ODOR AND TASTE.
RARE EARTH COMPOUNDS MAY CAUSE DELAYED BLOOD CLOTTING LEADING TO
HEMORRHAGES.
TO THE BEST OF OUR KNOWLEDGE, THE CHEMICAL, PHYSICAL, AND
TOXICOLOGICAL PROPERTIES HAVE NOT BEEN THOROUGHLY INVESTIGATED.
CHRONIC EFFECTS
TARGET ORGAN(S):
BLOOD
RTECS #: FK6310000
CERIUM OXIDE
TOXICITY DATA
ORL-RAT LD50:>5 GM/KG ATDAEI 12,617,1993
ONLY SELECTED REGISTRY OF TOXIC EFFECTS OF CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES
(RTECS) DATA IS PRESENTED HERE. SEE ACTUAL ENTRY IN RTECS FOR
COMPLETE INFORMATION.

[TOP]
SECTION 12. ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION
DATA NOT YET AVAILABLE.

[TOP]
SECTION 13. DISPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS
CONTACT A LICENSED PROFESSIONAL WASTE DISPOSAL SERVICE TO DISPOSE OF
THIS MATERIAL.
CATALYSTS AND EXPENSIVE METALS SHOULD BE RECOVERED FOR REUSE
OR RECYCLING.
OBSERVE ALL FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS.

[TOP]
SECTION 14. TRANSPORT INFORMATION
CONTACT FLUKA CHEMICAL COMPANY FOR TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION.

[TOP]
SECTION 15. REGULATORY INFORMATION
EUROPEAN INFORMATION
S 22
DO NOT BREATHE DUST.
S 24/25
AVOID CONTACT WITH SKIN AND EYES.
REVIEWS, STANDARDS, AND REGULATIONS
OEL=MAK
NOES 1983: HZD 11740; NIS 8; TNF 515; NOS 11; TNE 25130; TFE 13436
EPA TSCA SECTION 8(B) CHEMICAL INVENTORY
EPA TSCA TEST SUBMISSION (TSCATS) DATA BASE, JANUARY 2001

[TOP]
SECTION 16. OTHER INFORMATION
THE ABOVE INFORMATION IS BELIEVED TO BE CORRECT BUT DOES NOT PURPORT TO
BE ALL INCLUSIVE AND SHALL BE USED ONLY AS A GUIDE. SIGMA, ALDRICH,
FLUKA SHALL NOT BE HELD LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGE RESULTING FROM HANDLING
OR FROM CONTACT WITH THE ABOVE PRODUCT. SEE REVERSE SIDE OF INVOICE OR
PACKING SLIP FOR ADDITIONAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE.
COPYRIGHT 2001 SIGMA-ALDRICH CO.
LICENSE GRANTED TO MAKE UNLIMITED PAPER COPIES FOR INTERNAL USE ONLY
 

Aug 10, 2015
1
0
0
#12
Well for starters I totally understand where you are coming from on turning the tank around but I have a 36 gallon bowfront and the way the front curves there's no possible way to put your filter on and still have the lid on without your filter being at the front of the tank which in turn would probably look pretty tacky
 

Jan 16, 2017
4
0
1
#13
Use jeweler's rouge with a buffing pad
  • Place some jeweler's rouge onto a lambswool buffing pad.
  • Apply using a circular motion over the scratch in the glass.
  • Repeat until the scratch appears minimized.
  • Rinse with a mixture of ammonia and water (2 ounces/60ml of ammonia to 2 quarts/1.9 liters of water); dampen a clean sponge with this solution and rub off the jeweler's rouge.