*Read all of the instructions before starting the project*
*All high strength magnets are dangerous. Handle with care.

Additional items needed:
A timing device – watch, stop watch
Pen and paper
Towels

This kit is designed to be used underwater on the inside of the tank. It is generally used when an entire panel needs to be refurbished.  If there are inhabitants in the tank, there needs to be adequate mechanical filtration and water flow; an under gravel filtration system is not sufficient.  We recommend rinsing the filter media after each polishing job.  

Preparation
Lay out and organize all tools and supplies in a convenient and easy to reach location. 
It is a good idea to keep several towels on hand. Remove any metal tools or other objects from the work area. 

This kit has been designed to work with the Magnavore brand of magnets. A spacer pad is used when the magnet is too strong for the thickness of acrylic.  If a spacer is required, (see chart below) the outside magnet will need to be modified.  Peel the blue felt from the face of the magnet. Firmly attach the self adhesive loop provided in the kit, to the face of the magnet, making sure it is centered.

Choose the right pad and spacer
Feel the scratches with a finger to determine approximate depth.  Choose the deepest scratch and start in that square.  To determine the starting grit use the guidelines below. If the scratches cannot be felt, do a visual inspection. If there is still question start with 3200 and work on one square foot for 10 minutes. If the rate of removal is too slow go to the next courser grit. The deeper the scratches put onto the surface of the acrylic, the more time it will require to remove them. 

• Hairline Scratches:  Many very light scratches- haziness.  Hairline scratches will appear like circular patterns or a halo effect.  These scratches cannot be felt with a fingernail. Start with 3600 grit.
• Minor scratches:  Just barely felt with a fingernail.  Start with 2400 grit
• Major scratches:  Easily felt with a fingernail.  Start with 1800 grit 
• Deep scratches:  Easily felt with a fingertip.  Start with 1500 grit
• Severe scratches:  Deeper scratches will require a sander kit

Using the proper sanding grit attach the hook and loop sanding pad to the inside magnet; put in a safe place. Attach the appropriate number of spacer pads and wrap the polishing cloth around the outside magnet. (See chart for magnet size and spacer requirements). Attach magnets to the aquarium in a sliding together motion; never let the magnets slam onto the acrylic panel.  To spot sand (only polish the damaged area(s)); try to place the magnet on or very near the damage.  

CHART

Remove the scratches

Using the timing device, write down the start time and begin sanding.

To refurbish the entire panel carefully work the damaged area using a straight line motion moving left to right from one side of the panel to the other side. Overlap each pattern by 50%.  Do not use a circular motion.  Create a uniform scratch pattern in one direction until all of the damage has been removed. Remove the wax pencil marks on the aquarium as damage is removed.

To spot sand, slide the magnet back and forth perpendicular to the scratch or damage until the scratch is no longer visible.  Do not use a circular motion. Remove the wax pencil marks on the aquarium as damage is removed. Create a uniform, straight scratch pattern in one direction.    

When either of the above two steps have been completed, write down the grit used and the amount of time the process took. Removing the original scratch or damage is the most time consuming part of this process. 

the new grit in a straight line motion, but this time crossing your previous scratch pattern at a 90 degree angle. (Top to bottom) or perpendicular to the previous scratch pattern. Polish until the previous scratch pattern has been removed. Look for all top to bottom sanding patterns, or a new scratch pattern perpendicular to the previous pattern.  If spot sanding, fan or spread the sanding pattern out from the damage about an inch with each grit, keeping inside the wax pencil lines.  Fanning the sanding pattern out helps reduce the chance of optical distortion from sanding in one place too long.   
 
The process will usually take about 6 minutes for every square foot of acrylic. To get this calculation divide the total square footage of the area being refurbished by the total time sanded in minutes. If the rate of removal seems too slow or does not appear to be working after 6 minutes per square foot, move to the next coarser grit.  

Proceed with all of the above steps, using a finer grit each time.

After all scratches have been removed, wipe down the entire tank with the flannel cloth.  Wash off all sanding pads with fresh water and store in a dry place.