Steel Wool

[Anonymous]

Anyone else ever heard of this?

I work at an automotive body/paint shop, and when we're detailing the cars, we use steel wool to remove over-spray from the paint job, as well as whatever else is on there at the time.

So, I decided to try this on my glass tank with some I grabbed from the shop. Cleaned away the salt caking, grime, and even made the scratches look better on the back of my tank. I thought, "huh, thats nifty; I bet I could get myself into some trouble by offering up this information on RDO!", and so I did; but let me just say that I would never try this on acrylic, and I wouldnt try it on the front of your tank at first, just incase Im insane or something.

*shrug* Thought you guys might wanna know...

 

[Anonymous]

Yes, I've heard of steel wool. I think I first learned of it say around 1972 or so.

 

[_range_]

Be careful about any chemicals from the steel wool, they are sold for cleaning but I'm sure you can find some good old plain steel wool. Let me know if you start to see little scratches on the glass after using it for a while, that would be my real concern.

 

[holry7778]

Well if the tanks empty, I might try it.

But if you like the scratch pattern, you should see the really nice patterns a peice of really coare (like 40) sandpaper on a random orbit (non spinging) snader does. Now obviously you might not want to try this with water in the tank. But the outcome is really nice and professional looking.

Just a nice finishing technique.

Again for the people who have trouble seeing sarcasm:

DO NOT TRY THIS WHILE THERE IS WATER IN THE TANK!

 

[Anonymous]

Yes, I've heard of steel wool. I think I first learned of it say around 1972 or so.

:roll: Har har har.


holry7778 (why such a difficult name? ), it might just be the glass thats employed in wind-sheilds and windows, but the steel wool actually makes the scratches fade more and makes the whole thing cleaner and smoother. Thats why I even suggested the idea that it might be a nifty idea for glass tanks... Salt grime and other stains would probably be much more easily removed, without the risk of streaking from tap water and a towel to wipe it all off, and would most likey be easier...

 

[holry7778]

The name comes from my past, A place I once worked. For those who have worked there, it makes it IDs us. Just a suttle reminder of fond memories.

Any hootin' nanny, Now I understand what you wanted to do with the steel wool. My concern would be the reaction to the salt water by the steel wool. I figure it would oxidize in our little systems very quickly and seeing how long it takes me to clean the glass, it may leave a heavy trace iron in the water. Not sure if that would actually happen but it is my initial concern

 

[Anonymous]

The name comes from my past, A place I once worked. For those who have worked there, it makes it IDs us. Just a suttle reminder of fond memories.

Any hootin' nanny, Now I understand what you wanted to do with the steel wool. My concern would be the reaction to the salt water by the steel wool. I figure it would oxidize in our little systems very quickly and seeing how long it takes me to clean the glass, it may leave a heavy trace iron in the water. Not sure if that would actually happen but it is my initial concern

Oh no no; I didnt mean on the inside of the tank! I dont feel that would be quite the intelligent idea... Although, as I know it, you can get stainless steel "ribbon-esque" sponges that restaurants use to scrub tough pots and pans (I was a dish washer for two summers... ), and its completely un-treated and inert. That may work for coraline and other stuff, but Id just as soon grab a scraper and skip the whole scrubbing exersize... :lol:

The steel wool *shouldnt* be treated with anything, although I dont really know. Im fairly sure the stuff I use isnt stainless, as I witness what *looks* like oxidization, although that could easily be the dirt and stuff collected from scrubbing, and the new ones are naturally darker-looking...

Anywho, the premise was to use it on the outside glass to clean and improve the surface texture and quality, atleast the way it does with auto glass (which I cant imagine being much different from tank glass, besides the inner anti-shatter laminate material in autos that probably isnt present in glass aquariums... Although that wouldnt be a bad idea.... Hmmm....).

I think Ill try it next time I get a fresh pad of steel wool, so I can finally stop talking and start walking; this thread was designed as a toss-out for an idle idea... :wink: