Acrylic Aquarium Restoral Kit Instructions
The
material in this kit will remove scratches and scuffs from acrylic aquariums.
AQUARIUM INSIDE SURFACES
These abrasives can be used on the inside of the tank with water and fish in
place. However, contamination of the water by acrylic particles will occur.
This contamination may not be compatible with your fish. We recommend removing
water and fish from the aquarium before beginning work.
AQUARIUM OUTSIDE SURFACES
You
can use the abrasives either wet or dry. We suggest using them wet for the best
surface finish.
A. CONTENTS
-
(1) 3” x 4” Sheet
Each Of Micro-Mesh Grades 1800, 2400, 3200, 4000, 6000, 8000
-
(1) 2” x 3” Foam Block
-
(1) 1 Oz. Bottle of Anti-Static Cream
-
(1) Cotton Flannel Cloth
-
(1) Instruction
Booklet
B. DAMAGE REMOVAL
This part of the procedure will take approximately 70% of the work and is the
most important. Work carefully, allowing plenty of time. You must remove all
the damage to the bottom of the deepest scratch or nick. Deep damage should be
removed with common wet/dry sandpaper (NOT INCLUDED IN THIS KIT).
-
VERY FINE SCRATCHES:
Begin with either Micro-Mesh 4000 or 6000
-
HAIRLINE
SCRATCHES/LIGHT SCUFFS:
Begin with Micro-Mesh 2400 or 3200
-
FINE SCRATCHES:
Begin with either Micro-Mesh 1800 or 400 grit wet/dry sandpaper
-
DEEP SCRATCHES
(can be felt with fingernail): Begin with 320 wet/dry sandpaper
-
GROOVES:
Begin with120 or 220 grit wet/dry sandpaper
When changing abrasive grades be sure to change sanding
directions 90º (North and South with one grade, switching to East and West with
the next grade)
C. THE REMOVAL PROCEDURE
1. Wrap
the suggested abrasive around the foam block. Carefully work the damaged area
using a straight-line motion. DO NOT USE A CIRCULAR MOTION. Keep firm pressure
on the block. Keep sanding material and surface free of dust and
contamination. Do not try to remove one scratch at a time. Spread the sanding
pattern 4-6 inches with each step. Single point damage like cigarette burns,
nicks or cuts must not be spot sanded. Distortion with result.
2. All
damage must be removed in the first step. Evaluate your efforts after 2-3
minutes. If removal rate seems slow, move to next coarser grit. Evaluate this
coarser grade and move coarser if necessary. Remember, the heavier the
scratches you put into the surface, the more time and steps it will take to
remove them.
3. When
the damage is removed, move to the next finer grade until you have finished with
the 400 grit wet/dry.
When damage is removed,
your surface should have a uniform scratch pattern running in one direction. If
you started with common wet/dry sandpaper, begin with the abrasives in your kit
after the surface has been reduced to a 400 grit scratch pattern. If your
damage was slight and you started the procedure with the kit abrasives, simply
continue through the grades of Micro-Mesh.
D. THE RESTORAL PROCEDURE
1. Wrap the 1800 around the foam block.
Carefully work the damaged area using a straight-line motion. DO NOT USE A
CIRCULAR MOTION. Continue until all damage is removed. If you have previously
removed severe damage (see Damage Removal) using sandpaper, continue working
until that 400 grit pattern is removed.
2. Wrap 2400 around the foam block and
continue, this time crossing (+) your 1800 scratch pattern. Make sure that you
remove all the 1800 scratch pattern before going on to Step 3.
3. Wrap 3200 around foam block, change
your motion to cross the 2400 scratch pattern and continue as outlined in Step 1
4. Proceed as above through all the
abrasive grades in your kit.
5. When you are finished with the last
grade and are satisfied with the surface appearance, clean the surface
carefully. If you are working on the outside of the aquarium, apply a drop of
ANTI-STATIC CREAM and spread it with your fingertips over a small area. Wipe
off quickly and completely with the flannel cloth. This procedure removes the
static electricity that could cause dirt to be drawn back to the surface.
For larger areas, work
1-1 ½ sq. ft. at a time, overlapping each new area slightly until the entire
work surface has been covered. Do not allow the ANTI-STATIC CREAM to dry on the
surface. If it dries it will be very hard to remove. In hot areas, work in
small areas.
E. CARE AND MAINTENANCE
Use clean fresh water
with a drop of detergent and flannel for cleaning. Avoid paper towels, napkins,
and tissue.
MICRO-GLOSSâ
liquid abrasive is an excellent maintenance polish for the outside of the
aquarium. Micro-gloss will remove haze and swirl left by improper cleaning
techniques.
The
abrasives in this kit are not recommended or intended for use on eye
glasses, optical instruments, or glass of any kind glass.
06/01/02 - AQUARIUM KIT TECH BULLETIN
© 1996-2008 Scientific Instrument Services, Inc.
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