Technical Bulletin for Acrylic Aquarium Restoral

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. (1) 3´ x 4´ Sheet Each of 1800, 2400, 3200, 4000, 6000, 8000
2. (1) 2´ x 3´ Foam Block
3. (1) 1 Oz. Bottle of Anti-Static Cream
4. (1) Cotton Flannel Cloth
5. (1) Instructions

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 4000 or 6000

HAIRLINE SCRATCHES/LIGHT SCUFFS: Begin with 2400 or 3200

FINE SCRATCHES: Begin with either 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

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.
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.
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 all of the grades in the kit.

THE RESTORAL PROCEDURE

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.
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.
Wrap 3200 around foam block, change your motion to cross the 2400 scratch pattern and continue as outlined in Step 1.
Proceed as above through all the abrasive grades in your kit.
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.

CARE AND MAINTENANCE

Use clean fresh water with a drop of detergent and flannel for cleaning. Avoid paper towels, napkins, and tissue.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: SIS and Micro-Surface Finishing Products, Inc. ("Micro") MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. User is responsible for determining whether this product is fit for a particular purpose and suitable for user²s method of application.

LIMITATION OF REMEDIES AND LIABILITY: If this product is proved to be defective, THE EXCLUSIVE REMEDY, AT SIS AND MICRO'S OPTION, SHALL BE TO REFUND THE PURCHASE PRICE OF OR TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. SIS and Micro shall not otherwise be liable for loss or damages, whether direct, indirect, special, incidental, or consequential, regardless of the legal theory asserted, including negligence, warranty or strict liability.

6/05

Aqu TB/Gen

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