Stella Posted September 23, 2008 Report Share Posted September 23, 2008 I have an aquarium that has water spots all over the outside, a bit like on a glass shower. Just like my glass shower, a rub with Mr Muscle doesn't do a thing I think it is from sitting outside in the weather for a long time (don't worry, I had it completely re-siliconed before using). What can I do to get these off? Bear in mind that it is full of fish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cricketman Posted September 23, 2008 Report Share Posted September 23, 2008 i couldnt get my side mirrors clean of that droppletty stuff, until my grandad recommended half a potatoe... just rub it al around untill it gets dirty then slice a little more off and keep going, then just wipe off the starch with a damp towel... worked a treat... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stella Posted September 23, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 23, 2008 you are kidding me?? Wow, that is different. I wonder how it works? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cricketman Posted September 23, 2008 Report Share Posted September 23, 2008 no idea, but you can see all the black crap on the cut potatoe, i also thought what the hell granpa, until i did it... lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southerrrngirrl Posted September 23, 2008 Report Share Posted September 23, 2008 I've heard about rubbing the cut side of a potato on your windscreen something about it stopping it fogging up or going hazy.. but to remove water spots?? I googled to see if I could find out how it works, but so far no luck. Can't hurt to try right?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cricketman Posted September 23, 2008 Report Share Posted September 23, 2008 yer that works too, same as how in diving you spit into your mask, the small mount of starch repels the water and stops it misting up. as my instructor told me "the greener the cleaner!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whetu Posted September 24, 2008 Report Share Posted September 24, 2008 I find those chemical-free cleaning cloths work really well. There is a cloth with a coarse weave (I can't remember if it's sold as a "glass cleaner" or a "bathroom cleaner"). My tank glass has never looked better! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie Posted September 24, 2008 Report Share Posted September 24, 2008 The JBL glass cleaner works very well and is fish safe. check out your lfs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TM Posted September 24, 2008 Report Share Posted September 24, 2008 Water marks can be a carbonate based type mark. You can used a light acid or a brand new sharp razor blade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barrie Posted September 24, 2008 Report Share Posted September 24, 2008 one of the worst thing to leave on glass is water Water contains line and the lime eat into the surface of the glass and distroys it. There are as TM mentioned, acid based product that will help but effectivley the surface is now damaged. In showers after you have installed new glass, buy some polimer (brands include clear shield, force shield, CRL Glass, invisable shield is the one we use and even rainx (for car windscreens). Most of those products will cost around $20 to $30 and will last for many many years. diamond fusion is probably the best but at a cost of $250 plus to do just the shower, in my mind its simply not worth while. I use the above products on all my windows. It makes the glass slipery and the droplets cant hold onto the glass as mush so the residue is reduced. Also ALWAYS USE A SQUEEGE AFTER EVERY SHOWER!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted September 24, 2008 Report Share Posted September 24, 2008 Or do what I do, not care if it looks a little frosted, I don't want anyone looking at me when I'm showering anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barrie Posted September 24, 2008 Report Share Posted September 24, 2008 LOL Ira... my wife makes sure shes nowhere to be seen if Im in a state of disrobe.... I dont blame her Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Navarre Posted September 24, 2008 Report Share Posted September 24, 2008 LOL Barrie...your wife makes sure your not around when I am there with no clothes on either..lol Just joking. I have used White vinager to clean this sort of stuff of glass with good effect as well.... HTH Navarre Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catfish Posted September 24, 2008 Report Share Posted September 24, 2008 I just use one of those razor blade scrapers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barrie Posted September 24, 2008 Report Share Posted September 24, 2008 now I know whos been eating my Chocy biscutts At least my Carlton Blond beer stash is still intact There are quite a few things that will hide the problem but the glass is damaged and there fore you must be carefull about storing tanks/glass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warren Posted September 24, 2008 Report Share Posted September 24, 2008 I had a light milky discolouration all over the glass of my 8' aquarium. It was about 25 years old and came from Rotorua which has quite hard water (lot's of lime). I fixed it by mechanically polishing it. I got some fine metal polish and spread it on the glass. As the tank was 8' long I decided to go with an electric buffing machine to do the hard work. The polish effectively cut the surface of the glass, removed the calcium staining and left the glass highly polished and as clear as the day it was made. If your tank is reasonably small you may elect to polish it by hand. You have to rub quite hard though... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caryl Posted September 24, 2008 Report Share Posted September 24, 2008 There should be a law against clear glass in shower stalls! :lol: So Stella, has the potato trick worked? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warren Posted September 24, 2008 Report Share Posted September 24, 2008 There should be a law against clear glass in shower stalls! :lol: So Stella, has the potato trick worked? But only if there are multiple showers in a line... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barrie Posted September 24, 2008 Report Share Posted September 24, 2008 if you decide to polish, use Jewlers Rouge and a wollen buff and a VERY SLOW grinder or a heat bloom will occure giving rainbow effect. This sometimes show depending on light but if the surface is pitted, you will be grinding for hours and hours. Warren... you were lucky or the film was extremely light Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stella Posted September 24, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 24, 2008 So Stella, has the potato trick worked? Um, seriously, you should see the state of my potatoes.... I would rather not. I haven't looked at them in months.... :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skaffen Posted September 24, 2008 Report Share Posted September 24, 2008 In showers after you have installed new glass, buy some polimer (brands include clear shield, force shield, CRL Glass, invisable shield is the one we use and even rainx (for car windscreens). I nearly crashed my car after using RainX for the first time. I was so mesmerised watching the rain beads streaming off the windscreen, I nearly ran off the road :oops: You don't need wipers for a few weeks after using it, rain just beads up and runs off Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spoon Posted September 24, 2008 Report Share Posted September 24, 2008 i use vinegar works ok for most some are pretty stubborn tho Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ira Posted September 24, 2008 Report Share Posted September 24, 2008 Um, seriously, you should see the state of my potatoes.... I would rather not. I haven't looked at them in months.... :lol: Maybe you just need to ask them nicely and they'll walk over and rub themselves on it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warren Posted September 24, 2008 Report Share Posted September 24, 2008 if you decide to polish, use Jewlers Rouge and a wollen buff and a VERY SLOW grinder or a heat bloom will occure giving rainbow effect. This sometimes show depending on light but if the surface is pitted, you will be grinding for hours and hours. Warren... you were lucky or the film was extremely light It took all day - about 30 minutes to polish an area 300mm x 600mm. I used a woolen buff on slow speed. Heat was a problem as well. As long as the glass temperature only rose by about 25-30'C it was ok. At 55+'C the glass would crack. I had no problem with rainbowing... It also reduced the visibility of a couple of scratches as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barrie Posted September 24, 2008 Report Share Posted September 24, 2008 Yes In general scratches are a problem as if you can feel them with your fingers, they are too deep to come out but buffing dose hide them One of the problems I have in these things is that as its my trade, I expect probably a higher degree of prefection. A lot of the time, what I would think of as not suitable, most of the punters would think was good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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