20g ZeroEdge Restoration

This is a used 20 gallon ZeroEdge tank that I'm cleaning and polishing.
Step 1: Clean

40 Breeder + 20g Acrylic tank + 9 Gallons of Vinegar = Coralline Algae's worst nightmare!!
I forgot to take a "Before" pic of the front of the tank, so I'll have to snap a few after I pull it out and clean the front and turn it.
I had a rubbermaid container that was a decent fit, but I also have a few 40Bs and this one is kind of beat up.  So I finally found a use for it.
Anyways, the ZeroEdge isn't in too bad of shape, there are minor scratches from using plastic wand scrapers, etc, but the new owner wants it shiny.

 

Here's what the sides and back still look like



The front, however, is completely clean now!

 

Not mine, I'm doing it for someone else. Got all the coralline off - completely. Pics tomorrow

 

All clean



In that pic, it looks pretty good. But it's got some good sized scratches. Nothing major, but he wants it looking really good. It's hard to show minor scratches in pictures but here are a few.

These are from a wand scraper



These are your general everyday live rock scratches



The only really good way to get rid of scratches is wet/dry sandpaper. 1200, 1500, 2000 grit. It's already looking better!!!



Gotcha! Actually the best way to see all the "minor" scratches it to sand it so the stand out.

The stand showed up right about at this point



Then a couple of hours with the buffer, it looks like this!





This turned out to take a little more time than I thought. The trough around the bottom made it tricky to get the buffer against the tank, I had about 1/2 cm clearance with it spinning at high speed. I am also covered in buffing compound. Thankfully I had eye protection on.

 

Yes I use a rotary buffer (like the DeWalt kind) and a cutting pad and Meguiars, first pass is the ultra-cut 105 and final is the BSP swirl free. I can't remember the max polisher speed in RPM but mine has 1-6 dial and I never go over 3, so it doesn't heat up the acrylic. I had that conversation with the guys at the supply place I go to, they were telling me that you want the surface to heat up to make it shine and I has to give them a lesson on tank polishing haha. I should go back and show them these pics they would be surprised...