Paint For Tanks

Lynden-Jeff · 01/28/2008, 06:11 PM

Hi,

What kind of paint can I use to paint the back of my new tank? I have never painted a tank before so any other tips would be great.

Thanks!
Jeff

DanInSD · 01/28/2008, 06:20 PM

As far as I know, the only rule is, "don't paint the inside"

I believe that you can get plastic sheets that stick by static charge (sort of like those stickers that you get for oil changes, or some window decals). Those would be easier than painting.

Dan

customcolor · 01/28/2008, 06:32 PM

u could use a dark window tint also.
but to realy answer your q, you can use any paint aslong as you tape off the tank top so nothing will get in it. i have used latex and have used krylon fusion. all will scrape off if you hit them with somthing.
now window tint is durable,uv safe, wont be harmed with salt water i do believe.

pgaschulz · 01/28/2008, 07:29 PM

I used rust oleum (if I spelled it right) on my 55 gallon...it worked great, I used black

tcollins · 01/28/2008, 07:50 PM

When I painted my tank, everyone suggested Krylon. You can get it at Wally World. Only regret is I painted behind my overflow and now have a fish there I'm having fits trying to get out and it's tough to see down into it with the plumbing.

bdif · 01/28/2008, 08:22 PM

It begins and ends with this... Trust me, I've tries em all.

Lynden-Jeff · 01/28/2008, 08:35 PM

Flat/gloss any difference? Im looking for a navy blue.

Cheers

bdif · 01/28/2008, 08:50 PM

Not just flat, Ultra Flat. Don't get caught up in the gloss thing. It will all look the same from the inside. Ultra sticks best.

ledford1 · 01/28/2008, 08:57 PM

I've used Krylon Fusion in the past with success.

Has anyone tried using a truck bed spray liner? I saw it on a tank, and it looked great.

Lynden-Jeff · 01/28/2008, 09:33 PM

Do they make an ultra flat in a navy blue?

Cheers

pass1over · 01/28/2008, 09:57 PM

I had no luck with spray paint. Used a self-leveling oil base paint and brushed it on.

Perfect coverage, no streaks, no chipping or anything.

FranktheTankTx · 01/28/2008, 10:48 PM

Can I make a suggestion?

Have your tank tinted. I went to Alta Mere and had them tint two sides of my 36g corner tank with 5% limo tint. They charged me $39 to do this. I just hated the idea of painting my brand new tank.

Here's a picture...

Well, scratch the picture... apparently I can't upload a jpeg??? What a joke RC!!

Anyways, it looks really, really good! I would highly recommend it.

kdblove_99 · 01/29/2008, 04:50 AM

Krylon Fusion

tank o tang · 01/29/2008, 08:34 AM

I painted all my tanks with navy blue latex rustoleum. I'd rather brush on a few coats then get overspray in the tank. Works great but takes a couple coats.

Lynden-Jeff · 01/29/2008, 03:44 PM

Well I went with the fusion since it says glass right on it. One note, CLEAN WELL. I cleaned with windex and still a few small spots where it didn't adhear at all.

Cheers

Aquacris · 01/29/2008, 04:32 PM

I just picked up RUST-OLEUM textured finish today for my sons 10g. . I went with mineral brown for the color so it would blend in with the rock. I did one coat so far doesnt look to bad.

01/28/2008, 06:11 PM	#1
Lynden-Jeff Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Southern Ontario Posts: 27	Paint For Tanks Hi, What kind of paint can I use to paint the back of my new tank? I have never painted a tank before so any other tips would be great. Thanks! Jeff

01/28/2008, 06:32 PM	#3
customcolor Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: kaukauna, wi. Posts: 3,879	u could use a dark window tint also. but to realy answer your q, you can use any paint aslong as you tape off the tank top so nothing will get in it. i have used latex and have used krylon fusion. all will scrape off if you hit them with somthing. now window tint is durable,uv safe, wont be harmed with salt water i do believe. __________________ PLEASE DONT USE GREAT STUFF (THE YELLOW STUFF) IN YOUR TANK........USE POND FOAM (THE BLACK STUFF).. I BEG YOU! Great stuff====$5 a can 24-48 hour cure Epoxy to cover it====little as $5 for small projects or up to $100+ for larger projects and another 24-48 hour cure I hope you covered it well cuz if you didnt it will start to break down in a few months sand is another added cost to cover up the yellow. Pond foams====$9-$15 a can 24-48 hour cure DONE! You can cover it with sand if you want to (YOU DONT HAVE TO) though but thats added cost again Current Tank Info: 75 gal under way

01/28/2008, 10:48 PM	#12
FranktheTankTx Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 2,306	Can I make a suggestion? Have your tank tinted. I went to Alta Mere and had them tint two sides of my 36g corner tank with 5% limo tint. They charged me $39 to do this. I just hated the idea of painting my brand new tank. Here's a picture... Well, scratch the picture... apparently I can't upload a jpeg??? What a joke RC!! Anyways, it looks really, really good! I would highly recommend it. __________________ Frank the Tank "What, I thought we were in the trust tree... in the nest? Are we not?" Current Tank Info: Custom Rimless 60g (30.5"x24.5"x18.5")

01/29/2008, 08:34 AM	#14
tank o tang Thread Lurker Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: CT Posts: 1,527	I painted all my tanks with navy blue latex rustoleum. I'd rather brush on a few coats then get overspray in the tank. Works great but takes a couple coats. __________________ A 5 gallon bucket of water dosen't look like much till it's on your living room floor Current Tank Info: 180gal

01/28/2008, 06:20 PM	#2
DanInSD Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 1,255	As far as I know, the only rule is, "don't paint the inside" I believe that you can get plastic sheets that stick by static charge (sort of like those stickers that you get for oil changes, or some window decals). Those would be easier than painting. Dan

01/28/2008, 07:29 PM	#4
pgaschulz Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Monee Illinois Posts: 162	I used rust oleum (if I spelled it right) on my 55 gallon...it worked great, I used black

01/28/2008, 07:50 PM	#5
tcollins Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Lansdale, PA Posts: 250	When I painted my tank, everyone suggested Krylon. You can get it at Wally World. Only regret is I painted behind my overflow and now have a fish there I'm having fits trying to get out and it's tough to see down into it with the plumbing.

01/28/2008, 08:22 PM	#6
bdif Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 140	It begins and ends with this... Trust me, I've tries em all.

01/28/2008, 08:35 PM	#7
Lynden-Jeff Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Southern Ontario Posts: 27	Flat/gloss any difference? Im looking for a navy blue. Cheers

01/28/2008, 08:50 PM	#8
bdif Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 140	Not just flat, Ultra Flat. Don't get caught up in the gloss thing. It will all look the same from the inside. Ultra sticks best.

01/28/2008, 08:57 PM	#9
ledford1 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: NW Arkansas Posts: 2,241	I've used Krylon Fusion in the past with success. Has anyone tried using a truck bed spray liner? I saw it on a tank, and it looked great.

01/28/2008, 09:33 PM	#10
Lynden-Jeff Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Southern Ontario Posts: 27	Do they make an ultra flat in a navy blue? Cheers

01/28/2008, 09:57 PM	#11
pass1over Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Melrose, FL Posts: 170	I had no luck with spray paint. Used a self-leveling oil base paint and brushed it on. Perfect coverage, no streaks, no chipping or anything.

01/29/2008, 04:50 AM	#13
kdblove_99 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Frederick,CO Posts: 8,683	Krylon Fusion

01/29/2008, 03:44 PM	#15
Lynden-Jeff Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Southern Ontario Posts: 27	Well I went with the fusion since it says glass right on it. One note, CLEAN WELL. I cleaned with windex and still a few small spots where it didn't adhear at all. Cheers

01/29/2008, 04:32 PM	#16
Aquacris Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: n.y. Posts: 90	I just picked up RUST-OLEUM textured finish today for my sons 10g. . I went with mineral brown for the color so it would blend in with the rock. I did one coat so far doesnt look to bad.