Fixing scratches?

[Stumped]

Cerium oxide and a buffer/attachment for a drill will remove scratches in glass. Google it for more information.

[hawk]

It will really depend on how deep the scatches are. If they are deep enough to feel, even in the slightest (use a pin to drag across the surface) you will need to grind them out way before you start polishing with any compound. Cerium oxide will be a final step in a very long process. In theory you can grind out scratches in any surface followed by polishing but the work involved in even minor scratches in glass is huge. Unless it is a very large tank with very minor scratches I would check into having the front pane replaced.

[MikeP]

Originally Posted by hawk

Unless it is a very large tank with very minor scratches I would check into having the front pane replaced.

The tank is 190g. To re-brace and re-trim is $150 and to replace the front glass is another $150. I've had a quote of $400 for a new tank the same size so if I was to repair this one I might as well buy a new one. This 190g is free so if all I gotta put into it is $150 thats great. I have not taken a real close look at it. I think any scratches will be minor so hopefully I can "buff" them out. I was kinda hoping to get a reply from someone that has done it before. But I will look into all the info you guys have given me so far.

[Farrmanchu]

I've done it, if you have more than one scratch, it's not worth it. I've worked for a Window and Door Company for ten years, buffed out lots of scratches with Cerium Oxide and a high speed buffing tool. It takes a LONG time, and if the glass gets too hot on the buff spot, it could crack from one edge due to stress caused by the expansion. 1 two inch shallow scratch=2 hours of HARD Elbow grease. I scratched the front of my tank, cut the glass out and replaced it with a new one. The sides are still scratched, and it's true that razorblade clean makes it lots less noticeable. Depends how many scratches, and how many you can put up with. Near the bottom or top, why worry?

[hawk]

Saw this on RC today. Thought you might find it interesting.
http://www.fitchfamily.com/glass.html

[Farrmanchu]

Yeah, I've read that one. I think that's the best anyone has done, that I've heard of. It's alot of work, if you're gonna buy the equip., may as well buff the whole thing. You'd hate to do all that work, only to find a scratch after filling.