Painting the back of a glass tank?

[Rborgia]

I want to paint the back of my tank. What kind of paint should I use? And any suggestions as to where I can buy it?

Thanks
Rich

 

[aaron]

spray paint is probably the easiest way, just make sure you cover and mask off the rest of the tank (and your floor)

 

[pmui]

any paint will work, just got to put on several coats to get it even. the finsih won't matter either, as it will look glossy through the glass.

P.

 

[jenniebutterfly]

i have done 2 tanks so far. i put it down on the front glass, taped newspaper on the sides and top, and spray about 5 coats. one can was enough for a 29 gallon, and a 65 gallon. the trick is to use thin even coats. then be careful if you are hanging anything from the back. it scrapes easily

 

[marrone]

When I've paint the back of the tank I've put down the coats of paint so they weren't even, this gave the back ground some light and dark area creating an interesting effect from the light shinning through.

 

[zahner]

Krylon is a good brand of spray paint; make sure you clean the glass well too

 

[pmui]

yes make sure the glass is clean (rubbing alchohol and windex) then paint it.

 

[Noodus]

is paint safe?

 

[zahner]

we are talking about painting the back glass on the outside, so no real safety issues there that I can see.

 

[jhale]

instead of painting check out this stick on background, I used it. It works great, as long as they have the color you want it's much better than painting.


oceanvisions

 

[inkblue]

yeah, besides if you paint it the reSale value of your tank will g0 down significantly

 

[jackson6745]

I don't think so Ink. Besides paint comes off with a razor blade

 

[inkblue]

Oh, cool... theN sPray away :yo:

 

[pmui]

anyone know where to get Krylon Fusion paint in Manhattan?

 

[pecan2phat]

Actually most used tank buyers hope that a possible prospective used tank is painted besides all the other goodies such as RR, starphire, euro-bracing etc.

In a reef tank, the back wall will eventually be covered in coralline unless you use the tank as a room divider. I would still either paint it or cover it with Jonathan's method for the short time period as to limit the amount of light scatter onto the back wall. I have one tank that is painted, one that has acrylic siliconed to the inside of the back glass from the manufacturer (Oceanic) and one tank that has a 4'x2' piece of acrylic covering from the outside of the glass.

 

[cali_reef]

Solid black or blue contact paper from walmart works like the paper Jonathan linked. Much cheaper and no waiting to get it.

 

[DevIouS]

I used the canned Latex paint from HD. Rolled on a few layers with a smooth roller.
Came out perfect. Dries with a few hours.
If you ever want to remove it, it peels right off.

 

[stingnyc]

instead of painting check out this stick on background, I used it. It works great, as long as they have the color you want it's much better than painting.


oceanvisions

i have a few feet of this stuff if you want....

 

[bad coffee]

Most hardware stores now carry Fusion in the basic colors, black, white, red, blue, i've seen yellow and green once in a while. check HD

If you're going to spray it, put a lamp inside the tank (if it's empty) It will help you see where you need to paint. I painted a tank with regular blue spray paint. Just do a few light coats, rather than one heavy coat.

BC

 

[herman]

I just bought plastic, same kind for tinting car windows. Most craft stores should have it. Wet the glass and use a squeegee to disperse the air bubbles. Does not fall off, looks good and even easier to take off incase you ever want to sell.
hth,
Herman