Removing Several Glass Scratches?

[Mr Melt]

Allright lads =)

Basically, I decided to bite the proverbial bullet and spent £180 on a Jewel Rio 180 with cabinet (off Gumtree locally).

After a hectic hour long drive from the Irish border I got home safe!

Only problem is, I have noticed a few scratches along the glass (which seem to be from the algae cleaner; when I ran my finger along it it DID seem excessively sharp. Furthermore the scratch patterns match the size and length of the algae brush)

I'm no good judge of scratch depth, but theyre not too bad it seems.

Is there any way I can remove the scratches, without harm to future fish (as its unstocked at present) AND just as importantly, without compromising the integrity of the glass?

 

[Tizer]

Scratches in glass cant really be removed but they do tend to vanish when you fill the tank with water. Algae does however find its way to them and settle in the scratches.

You could talk to a local glazier for better advice. Im sure its something they deal with daily.

 

[Mr Melt]

Scratches in glass cant really be removed but they do tend to vanish when you fill the tank with water. Algae does however find its way to them and settle in the scratches.

You could talk to a local glazier for better advice. Im sure its something they deal with daily.

My local B&Q were clueless....... so much for DIY experts....

I might try Halfords. I've heard rumor about toothpaste doing the trick, but I'm not so sure; especially as toothpaste can be corrosive.......

Has anyone ever had a problem like this? If so, then how did you fix it?

 

[Mr Melt]

Ok, my friend just rang me and said that car windscreen scratch remover, toothpaste or cerium oxide works. I have no idea what the latter is, but I could always try the other 2. He will be coming round 2mrro to give it a try.

The only problem is; he'll be using a drill with a buffer attached to remove the scratches. Considering the fact that its a Jewel Rio 180, those tanks only have 6mm of glass thickness.

If he buffs the scratches, wont that thin the glass out further?

I should note that the scratches aren't horrific, as my fingers don't catch on the scratches when I run my hands over them.

I'm just worried here; I don't know how much the glass will be thinned out, nor do I know if the glass can support 180 litres of water if its been buffed down.............

Has anyone here been in a similar situation?

 

[micko]

It all depends on the depth of the scratch really. I've heard of the toothpaste thing too although I'm not sure if this works as I've never tried it myself.

 

[CrazyAirborne]

yes buffing the scratch out does thin the glass, but to what extent really depends on how much u buff it
I tried the toothpaste thing, and even tho my scratches were very light (couldnt feel them with finger nail) I didnt really see any substantial results. Tho it does clean the glass quite well. Since its basically buffing the glass.

I realized with water in my tank, even large deep scratches are pretty well hidden.

 

[Mr Melt]

yes buffing the scratch out does thin the glass, but to what extent really depends on how much u buff it
I tried the toothpaste thing, and even tho my scratches were very light (couldnt feel them with finger nail) I didnt really see any substantial results. Tho it does clean the glass quite well. Since its basically buffing the glass.

I realized with water in my tank, even large deep scratches are pretty well hidden.

Ah fair enough; my tanks empty at the moment. After I add my Juwel 3D Background I'll fill it with water and see how that pans out. Thanks for both your replies lads =)

 

[Tizer]

maybe try it before you put the background in, it might annoy you so much you want to ditch the tank

 

[Mr Melt]

maybe try it before you put the background in, it might annoy you so much you want to ditch the tank

Just tried it; couldnt spot it! =D