Paint?

Toad42013 · 02/21/2008, 04:55 PM

I wanted to paint the back of my tank. However im not sure what type of paint to use. Its a glass tank and i want to brush it on. I know it would look smoother is i could spray it. But its not an option for me. Thanks for any help

justdiving · 02/21/2008, 05:02 PM

Hey I saw a segment on body painting latex, wonder if that paint would work

Aquarist007 · 02/21/2008, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by justdiving
Hey I saw a segment on body painting latex, wonder if that paint would work

that would do it for me

papagimp · 02/21/2008, 05:08 PM

I've heard of people using latex to paint tank backs when dealing with freshwater, but havn't ran across anyone doing that with SW setups. Not sure on saftey where the livestock is concerned but theoretically, would work very very well.

Fuzzfish · 02/21/2008, 05:12 PM

I think I would stick with a water based latex, may be smoother if u roll it on with a foam roller....The issue is going to be getting it to stick. Glass is obviously smooth and non-porous and u want the paint to be able to "hang" on....U could try a fine grit sand paper and lightly rough up the area to be painted prior..... I should say I've never tried painting glass but I used to be a professional painter so I do have some experience. If u try to paint with no sanding, the paint will likely peel off in areas, especially with moisture/temp changes. Good luck!

Aquarist007 · 02/21/2008, 05:18 PM

I would think marine enamel would stick or be fine

I read posts here where people have painted the room where the tank is with latex based and run into problems with fish in their tank.
IMO spraying of anything would definetly be a no no

I not being condescending here:
but's what's wrong with the background wallpaper you can get at any FS?

Toad42013 · 02/21/2008, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by capn_hylinur
I would think marine enamel would stick or be fine

I read posts here where people have painted the room where the tank is with latex based and run into problems with fish in their tank.
IMO spraying of anything would definetly be a no no

I not being condescending here:
but's what's wrong with the background wallpaper you can get at any FS?

There is nothing wrong with them. My LFS sucks lol. They only have a few to choose from. I was thinking of going with a solid blue one. but I really wanted black.

papagimp · 02/21/2008, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by capn_hylinur

I not being condescending here:
but's what's wrong with the background wallpaper you can get at any FS?

Well, just for an example. I recently constructed a styrofoam/concrete background for one of my tanks. The process called for me to cut the "rocks" out and silicone them on the back of the tank individually. I stuck a black background on the back of the tank and when viewed from the front, got a nice almost mirror like reflection between all the rocks. Don't get that with the tanks I've painted with Krylon Fusion. Just a thought

bkwudzjeep · 02/21/2008, 05:26 PM

Last night I just put my third coat of Rustoleum oil-based black. I have heard of others doing this too, so I went for it.

I have used Krylon Fusion spray cans in the past, but I did not have the option to take the tank outside this time without waiting a while, so I rolled it on for 2 coats and brushed the third. Looks good so far IMO.....

Toad42013 · 02/21/2008, 05:26 PM

Thats a neat idea. Do you have a pic by chance?

RedDmon · 02/21/2008, 06:20 PM

Forget about the paint, go to you local sign shop and get some flat black vinyl, cut it to size and stick it to the back of your tank. It's self adhesive, a little soapy water before applying it and you'll have a perfectly smooth flat black background. Colors are available, but flat black looks best IMO.

Red

Tswifty · 02/21/2008, 06:24 PM

I used Rustoleum oil based flat applied with a roller on my 90g... 3 coats...

worked great...

way easier than when I spray painted the back of my 55g

craighenry · 02/21/2008, 06:27 PM

or you could use a window tint, which you can get in different shades and you will be able to still view from behind

OneReef · 02/21/2008, 07:52 PM

I spray painted the back of mine with Krylon Fusion. I took it back in the house and did the flashlight behind to make sure it was thick enough. I could see light coming through, so I brushed on 2 coats of some oil based Rustoleum on top of the fusion, and it worked great.

02/21/2008, 04:55 PM	#1
Toad42013 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 185	Paint? I wanted to paint the back of my tank. However im not sure what type of paint to use. Its a glass tank and i want to brush it on. I know it would look smoother is i could spray it. But its not an option for me. Thanks for any help

02/21/2008, 05:02 PM	#2
justdiving Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 40	Hey I saw a segment on body painting latex, wonder if that paint would work __________________ davesbmw.com Current Tank Info: 29g salt 55g salt

02/21/2008, 05:08 PM	#4
papagimp COMAS Rocks! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 8,185 Blog Entries: 2	I've heard of people using latex to paint tank backs when dealing with freshwater, but havn't ran across anyone doing that with SW setups. Not sure on saftey where the livestock is concerned but theoretically, would work very very well. __________________ 58g Softie & 75g Stoney Member, Central Oklahoma Marine Aquarium Society Current Tank Info: 58g Mixed Reef Project - Started June 2011

02/21/2008, 05:18 PM	#6
Aquarist007 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Hamilton, Canada Posts: 28,240 Blog Entries: 1	I would think marine enamel would stick or be fine I read posts here where people have painted the room where the tank is with latex based and run into problems with fish in their tank. IMO spraying of anything would definetly be a no no I not being condescending here: but's what's wrong with the background wallpaper you can get at any FS? __________________ I prefer my substrates stirred but not shaken Current Tank Info: 150gal long mixed reef, 90gal sump, 60 gal refugium with 200 lbs live rock

02/21/2008, 05:26 PM	#9
bkwudzjeep O\|\|\|\|\|\|\|O Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Central Florida Posts: 2,078	Last night I just put my third coat of Rustoleum oil-based black. I have heard of others doing this too, so I went for it. I have used Krylon Fusion spray cans in the past, but I did not have the option to take the tank outside this time without waiting a while, so I rolled it on for 2 coats and brushed the third. Looks good so far IMO..... __________________ "You can lead a horse to water, but a pencil must be lead." ~Laurel and Hardy Current Tank Info: Taking a break for a while

02/21/2008, 05:12 PM	#5
Fuzzfish Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 76	I think I would stick with a water based latex, may be smoother if u roll it on with a foam roller....The issue is going to be getting it to stick. Glass is obviously smooth and non-porous and u want the paint to be able to "hang" on....U could try a fine grit sand paper and lightly rough up the area to be painted prior..... I should say I've never tried painting glass but I used to be a professional painter so I do have some experience. If u try to paint with no sanding, the paint will likely peel off in areas, especially with moisture/temp changes. Good luck!

02/21/2008, 06:20 PM	#11
RedDmon Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL Posts: 385	Forget about the paint, go to you local sign shop and get some flat black vinyl, cut it to size and stick it to the back of your tank. It's self adhesive, a little soapy water before applying it and you'll have a perfectly smooth flat black background. Colors are available, but flat black looks best IMO. Red __________________ Gun Control Means Never Having To Say I Missed You. Current Tank Info: 75 gallon mixed reef; Ricordea; Red Open Brain; Star Polyps, 'smrooms, Finger Leather, Zoanthids

02/21/2008, 06:24 PM	#12
Tswifty Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: PA Posts: 14,022	I used Rustoleum oil based flat applied with a roller on my 90g... 3 coats... worked great... way easier than when I spray painted the back of my 55g __________________ "Enough light? Heck I could go barebottom and grow SPS in the stand!" - DiscoReefRover

02/21/2008, 06:27 PM	#13
craighenry Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 15	or you could use a window tint, which you can get in different shades and you will be able to still view from behind

02/21/2008, 07:52 PM	#14
OneReef Reef Guru Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: the great South Posts: 3,218	I spray painted the back of mine with Krylon Fusion. I took it back in the house and did the flashlight behind to make sure it was thick enough. I could see light coming through, so I brushed on 2 coats of some oil based Rustoleum on top of the fusion, and it worked great.