Painting a tank

[Anonymous]

No not reef keeping the GARF way....

I want to paint the back of my tank. Up till now I've always used those plastic backgrounds. (mostly because I never though about it until the tank was full of water.) But now I'm setting up a new (to me) tank and I actually thought about it ahead of time. So what kind should I use?

Glenn

 

[ZeroMaintenance]

I have never painted one but I am pretty sure you will need special paint that will stick to glass. Check with your local paint store.

 

[Green Lantern]

I can't find the can but I am fairly certain it was a marine epoxy that I painted my old tank with. It did crack and peal a little over two years mostly where I dripped my kalk.

One question I have is: would sanding, to rough up the glass a little, help with the bonding?

 

[mortimersnerd]

I've used oil based enamel on glass tanks and latex house paint on acrylic tanks with great results. No problems with chipping or peeling, and both seem to stand up to water just fine.

Justin Collins

 

[AnotherGoldenTeapot]

Spray paint works really well - you need 4 or 5 coats - since each coat dries so fast that's not a biggie

 

[dattack]

Yep, I third or fourth the glossy spray paint. Definitely get glossy.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks guys. I'll pick some up from the ol Home Depot today.

Glenn

 

[DeathWish302]

Rover:

Use standard indoor/outdoor paint. For a real treat go to your local Sherwin Williams dealer and pick up a gal of "Isle of Capri", WOWWW!!! Definitely check this out.

DW302

 

[Reef-lite]

Spray paint works fine. Just apply multiple light coats. I used a gloss black and really like the perception of depth it gives.

 

[Lunchbucket]

i just painted my 10 gal nano w/ Engine enamel spray paint...rated to 500degrees. it is ford blue and looks awesome!! i did like a couple thin coats the plastered it on....even put clear coat over it to make sure it would be protected even more!

later
Lunchbucket

 

[esmithiii]

When I got my 180, I wanted to paint the back but didn't because the LFS that I bought the tank from said that it is almost impossible to get the paint to stick w/out roughing up the surface. They said that it would be fine for several months and then peel off.

I did some research and most people at paint stores said that glass is difficult to paint on, and basically confirmed what the guy at my LFS had said. I would be curious as to some experiences of others on this board who have painted their tanks.

On a humorous note, I wanted to paint the back of the tank light blue and the guy at Home Depot said that I would have to use a primer first, and suggested this grey primer!

Ernie

 

[hurrifan]

I recently painted the back of my glass tank with a oil based marine grade paint. I bought it at The Home Depot and it was awesome. It is designed to be used below the water line on boats and therefore is peerfect for the saltwater tank application.

 

[JohnD]

I have painted the backs of several of my tanks flat black using an aerosol. I carefully covered sides, top and front with plenty of masking tape and old newspaper. Apply sevral light coats and allow sufficient time between each coat for proper drying. Not once did I sand paper the glass to increase adhesion.

I must confess, the idea of a sealer coat does sound good.

esmithii - did you ever have the unenviable job of removing old paint that was put on both the wood frame and glass of a window by a sloppy painter? Well, let me tell you, it is a b@tch to get off!!

Don't ever believe from the LFS or others that paint will not stick to glass!!

Belive me, it will stick - all to well.

 

[Terry McGee]

We have painted quite a few with spray epoxy. Mask it off first,with masking tape and newspaper. This has been done over a number of years with no problem. Most have been blue or light green and a few black. Take care Terry

 

[playfair]

Well, this topic has been beat to death a little, but only JohnD uses flat paint?

I tested different finishes, and gloss paint peels off 10x easier than flat. I sprayed both my tank backs with Rustoleum flat black enamel, and I couldn't get any of it off even if I wanted to after several years.

The flat finish will look shiny through the glass, even though it's dull from the back. Besides taping, make sure the glass is clean, as every speck of dust will show up. final cleansing with alcohol won't hurt either.

 

[Anonymous]

Tank is painted. Rustoleum glossy black. No problems so far. I'll put it up on a web cam and we can watch it dry......

Glenn