Dustin1300 Posted December 7, 2012 Report Share Posted December 7, 2012 Picking up some of the big items for my build tomorrow in Wisconsin and one of the next steps is buffing out the inside/outside of the aquarium before I start the aquascaping/plumbing. I just ordered 64 oz. containers of Novus 1, Novus 2, and Novus 3. Also picked up a couple of the following buffing kits: http://www.amazon.com/NOVUS-7232-Plastic-Polish-Buffing/dp/B002UCYS2C/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1354889744&sr=8-2&keywords=Novus+buffing+kit None of the scratches are really deep on my display tank, just have some small scratches here and there and would like it as perfect as possible from the start. I at least have my frag tank to test it out on first! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Willy Posted December 8, 2012 Report Share Posted December 8, 2012 I'm along for the ride on this one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dustin1300 Posted December 13, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 13, 2012 I got supplies in to start doing this soon. Have some other things to do before I start on this but scared of doing it.... Buffing Kit: Three large bottles of Novus 1, 2, 3: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pwoller Posted December 14, 2012 Report Share Posted December 14, 2012 What are you scared of? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dustin1300 Posted December 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 14, 2012 What are you scared of? Scratching the tank! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Willy Posted December 14, 2012 Report Share Posted December 14, 2012 I was working on a few pieces of my new tank tonight. I was shocked at how quickly and easily it cleaned up. Have no fear Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pwoller Posted December 14, 2012 Report Share Posted December 14, 2012 Scratching the tank! What????Scratching the tank buffing scratches out? That just doesnt make sence but if your afraid still start with a side pane. But seriously dude you'll be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dustin1300 Posted December 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 14, 2012 Fine....I'll stop acting like a baby and man up I'll find out soon enough. Looked up my Dewault drill and it runs 0-600 RPM on the first speed so I'll use that to keep under the 1000 RPM. I've got a website I've got partially up. I'll document the process step by step and add an article to a DIY section once finished in a week or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reefer82 Posted December 14, 2012 Report Share Posted December 14, 2012 I've got a dual action polisher you're welcome to use. It makes it almost impossible to trash a finish if you're paying at least a little attention. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dustin1300 Posted December 15, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 15, 2012 I've got a dual action polisher you're welcome to use. It makes it almost impossible to trash a finish if you're paying at least a little attention. That would be great. What RPM does it run at? Should I be worried about it heating up the acrylic? Going to be at party tomorrow? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Willy Posted December 15, 2012 Report Share Posted December 15, 2012 I don't think rpm plays much factor in to anything. I've been using a Bosch ROS10 on the pieces I've been working on. They are looking great ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dustin1300 Posted December 23, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 23, 2012 Ok...Have had some solid time to practice buffing today on my frag tank. I also went ahead and practiced on my top of DT because it had some gouges from being moved around by myself/previous owner in storage. Figure I'd make it perfectly clear so I don't lose any light penetration from the LEDs. That being said, here's process I followed: - Cleaned off surface with Novus 1 cleaner - Any deep scratches, I wet sanded with 1000, 1500, and 2000 grit sandpaper with a block of acrylic - Applied Novus 3 by hand and used some elbow grease, followed by hand buffing - Applied Novus 3 with applicator wool pad on drill, buffed in, and then wiped any remaining off by hand - Applied Novus 3 with applicactor wool pad (new one) on drill, buffed in, and then wiped remaining off by hand - Last stage of process I wiped down with Novus 1 and brought out all of its beauty! Sand papers: Sand block and rinsed in water often: Spot sanded deep scratches (Weld-On in this case from tank being built): Wiped off and cloudy: Applied Novus 3 by hand vertically/horizontally and wiped off: Novus 3 an dapplicator, Drill with applicator wool: Applied: Wiped: Then same process on Novus 2, all as explained above. Here's end result! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Willy Posted December 23, 2012 Report Share Posted December 23, 2012 Looks great. I am getting ready to buy some novus to buff out my sanding to 3000 grit. Judging from what you have done I should have no problem buffing it out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Msr224 Posted December 23, 2012 Report Share Posted December 23, 2012 Good deal. Can you see a major difference? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dustin1300 Posted December 23, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 23, 2012 Looks great. I am getting ready to buy some novus to buff out my sanding to 3000 grit. Judging from what you have done I should have no problem buffing it out Yeah, once you go over with the Novus 3 it really takes away the deeper groves from the coarser sand paper. From what I read online, the Novus 3 is about equivalent to a 6000 grit sandpaper. You guys were definitely right, nothing to worry about! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dustin1300 Posted December 23, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 23, 2012 Good deal. Can you see a major difference? Yeah, the vortechs had made places on my acrylic from the heat and that is no longer visible. Also, did half of the top of the DT and it was really scratched up from being moved around and looks perfect. It's not as bad as I expected, just have to have patience and be ready to put in some time when doing this project. After this....Plumbing so need to figure out my plumbing routes/needs asap so I don't hold up the progress. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dustin1300 Posted January 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2013 Due to the holidays and being sick this all got a bit delayed. Sunday I wrapped up polishing with Novus #2 using the wool buffing pad on the drill but still see slight swirl marks at the right angle. I spoke to Reefer82 and he's going to let me borrow his dual stage polisher. Did you guys use a wool pad on the last stage to give it that last bit of finish or did you use a foam pad last? I've got some research to do... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Willy Posted January 8, 2013 Report Share Posted January 8, 2013 I used a foam pad. My results were good. I have one area that needs polished a bit more, with water in it it's slightly hazy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dustin1300 Posted January 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2013 I used a foam pad. My results were good. I have one area that needs polished a bit more, with water in it it's slightly hazy Maybe that's my problem. I used the wool buffing pad and let the pad/drill do the work and kept pressure off of it. It does not look bad, it's just not got the shine I expected so willing to do another 1-2 stages to make sure it's perfect. My goal is to have tank polished/plumbed by end of month running water for a bit for leak/flow tests. Once that's wrapped up I will drain and aquascape, cycle for about a month running on the protein skimmer, and then tie into the other system! It's coming closer but just need to remain having patience, doing it right the first time...What grade of foam pad did you use? If you look at angle do you see any swirls? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Willy Posted January 8, 2013 Report Share Posted January 8, 2013 It's just a cheap polishing pad I picked up at harbor freight. I see some swirls here and there but not enough to cause my OCD to go nuts. With water in mine it looks real good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Willy Posted January 8, 2013 Report Share Posted January 8, 2013 I think a wool buffing wheel on a right angle polisher would yield better results. I worked with what I had and Im happy with the end results. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dustin1300 Posted January 8, 2013 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2013 I think a wool buffing wheel on a right angle polisher would yield better results. I worked with what I had and Im happy with the end results. The wool just seems so much more abrasive so the foam would not add "abrasiveness" to the Novus 2. I'll be researching a bit this week when I have time but this weekend is next time I'll have to work on tank... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Willy Posted January 8, 2013 Report Share Posted January 8, 2013 You're welcome to stop by the house and check it out if you want Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pwoller Posted January 8, 2013 Report Share Posted January 8, 2013 Its like sanding up through the higher grit papers eventually the surface becomes smooth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Willy Posted January 8, 2013 Report Share Posted January 8, 2013 Exactly PW. I started with 1000 grit abralon pads then after 3000 used novus #3 then #2. My panels were badly scratched. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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