painting back of the tank??

Jamie1210 · 11/01/2006, 12:20 AM

I finally got sick of using the blue background on my tank, taping it all the time, and having the tape get encrusted with salt, and then having the background fall to the ground ... I'd like to have the back of my tank painted, but there's one thing i'd like to get around: taking out the inhabitants of the tank. Is there any way I can seal the tank really well and paint the back of the tank? (it's very accesible, so that's not the problem) or is it not worth risking? If so, spray paint is totally out of the option, huh?

Thanks in advance!
Jamie

ever818 · 11/01/2006, 02:05 AM

Don't use spray paint roll it I used black oil base paint

MIKEMARTIN · 11/01/2006, 09:55 AM

use a paint brush with enamal paint. It will be fine.

marinelife · 11/01/2006, 10:09 AM

I painted mine with a roller with all fish and coral in the tank

gabegmonkey · 11/01/2006, 11:30 AM

try to find some low V.O.C. paint too... to minimize any airborne junk getting absorbed into your tank...

JOSEPHLB · 11/01/2006, 11:37 AM

Couldn't you mask it off with paper?

Better yet.. get a roll of that plastic that is used for painting.. Probably called "drop cloth" in the painting section in Walmart. Most of it is huge.. 12' x 9', etc..

You could cut the rectangle out of the middle of it, and aligned it up to the tank and tape it down. Press down on the tape to insure it is in contact with the entire surface.
Then throw and wrap the excess drop plastic around and over the top and edges of the tank. There would then be no overspray.

Of course, you'd only do this if you wanted to use spray paint

Jamie1210 · 11/01/2006, 08:30 PM

Thanks for the suggestions everybody. I really like the idea of spray paint the best b/c it sounds like it'll do a streak-free job. I'll go w/that "drop cloth" idea. Thanks!

reefnetworth · 11/01/2006, 11:31 PM

window tint! if you change your mind, you can change the colors.

ever818 · 11/02/2006, 02:03 AM

if you roll it you don't get any streaks at all

11/01/2006, 12:20 AM	#1
Jamie1210 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Alhambra, CA Posts: 1,733	painting back of the tank?? I finally got sick of using the blue background on my tank, taping it all the time, and having the tape get encrusted with salt, and then having the background fall to the ground ... I'd like to have the back of my tank painted, but there's one thing i'd like to get around: taking out the inhabitants of the tank. Is there any way I can seal the tank really well and paint the back of the tank? (it's very accesible, so that's not the problem) or is it not worth risking? If so, spray paint is totally out of the option, huh? Thanks in advance! Jamie

11/01/2006, 02:05 AM	#2
ever818 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: chatsworth Posts: 145	Don't use spray paint roll it I used black oil base paint __________________ My LFS told me it would be easy... MASLAC Member Current Tank Info: 100 gal money tank

11/01/2006, 10:09 AM	#4
marinelife Registered Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Union, Ohio, USA Posts: 6,590	I painted mine with a roller with all fish and coral in the tank __________________ I'm a SaltGeek are You? All LED since 2010. Current Tank Info: 375 Gallon Reef with siporax, all LED lighting, and Red Dragon 3 and Abyzz A200 on 2 closed loops.

11/01/2006, 11:31 PM	#8
reefnetworth Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 3,810	window tint! if you change your mind, you can change the colors. __________________ GIVE A MAN A FISH, YOU FEED HIM FOR A DAY. TEACH A MAN TO FISH, HE FEEDS HIMSELF FOR LIFE. (NEVER, underestimate another man's greed) Current Tank Info: SPS dominated barebottom display with BB sump since 2005, most consistant parameters in 19+ years of reefkeeping.

11/02/2006, 02:03 AM	#9
ever818 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: chatsworth Posts: 145	if you roll it you don't get any streaks at all __________________ My LFS told me it would be easy... MASLAC Member Current Tank Info: 100 gal money tank

11/01/2006, 09:55 AM	#3
MIKEMARTIN Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 100	use a paint brush with enamal paint. It will be fine.

11/01/2006, 11:30 AM	#5
gabegmonkey Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 413	try to find some low V.O.C. paint too... to minimize any airborne junk getting absorbed into your tank...

11/01/2006, 11:37 AM	#6
JOSEPHLB Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Spring Grove, PA Posts: 287	Couldn't you mask it off with paper? Better yet.. get a roll of that plastic that is used for painting.. Probably called "drop cloth" in the painting section in Walmart. Most of it is huge.. 12' x 9', etc.. You could cut the rectangle out of the middle of it, and aligned it up to the tank and tape it down. Press down on the tape to insure it is in contact with the entire surface. Then throw and wrap the excess drop plastic around and over the top and edges of the tank. There would then be no overspray. Of course, you'd only do this if you wanted to use spray paint

11/01/2006, 08:30 PM	#7
Jamie1210 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Alhambra, CA Posts: 1,733	Thanks for the suggestions everybody. I really like the idea of spray paint the best b/c it sounds like it'll do a streak-free job. I'll go w/that "drop cloth" idea. Thanks!