Painting back of tank...questions.

[cjsparky]

OK so my tank is in place. I had a plastic background taped on to the tank, but it made magfloating the back of the tank a chore, and when water splashed, it would get between the plastic and glass...unsightly! I know that Krylon is the suggested method, but there is no room behind the tank to do that. There IS room however to fit a low profile roller, and roll paint onto the back. IS there a paint that can be rolled on that needs no primer, will stick to glass, and give me the colored background effect like I sprayed it on?

CJ

 

[gnashty]

Ive rolled 2 of 3 tanks in the past. I used a flat black paint and laid it on in stages. You have to apply many thin layers to keep it from sliding down the glass. Comes off easily with a razor blade.

 

[cjsparky]

Gnashty, Did you use a plain old Acryllic? Water based? Oil based? What brand would you reccommend if I went to HD. I am assuming a flat black wall paint wouldnt really work too well. I was also interested in at least a semi-gloss so my mag-float would still work on the back glass...thoughts?

CJ

Edit: Thoughts on this?

http://www.krylon.com/products/color_creations_acrylic_latex_enamel/

CJ

 

[gnashty]

Latex is what I used I think, I really cant remember honestly. Whatever you use I dont think its a good idea to uses the mag float on it. You will be able to peel it off with a fingernail.

 

[cbj25]

Water based is widely recommended but when I was researching I believe many use laytex based as well without problems

 

[grouper therapy]

latex is water based You can get rust olem in the quart size and a snall roller The ro is thicker a little easier to deal with than the others

 

[elfloyd]

grouper therapy;737973 wrote: latex is water based You can get rust olem in the quart size and a snall roller The ro is thicker a little easier to deal with than the others

I used the rustoleum and a small roller... Three coats did the trick. In two years I have never had to clean the back of my tank. YMMV

 

[rdnelson]

Since his tank is already up and running are there concerns about the fumes messing with the chemistry???? Just curious because that is ONE MORE STEP I knew nothing about when I set my tank up. LOL Funny how you find all of your mistakes after the fact.

 

[jimknutson]

Ok I have a suggestion. I used black tint on the back of my tank and it looks awesome. Depending, I still have enough for a 75 or smaller if you want.

 

[cjsparky]

Thanks for the offer!!! Already put on the first coat. Looking splotchy, but I am sure after several coats it will be looking ok!

CJ

 

[j_b_]

@ JimKnutson

Do you have a picture of your tank with the tint film on it. I've thought about doing this in the past, but wasn't sure how it would look.

 

[mrflameangel]

I used black vinyl. The type they put on cars as decals. It went on like putting screen protector on a phone.

 

[sleepyreef]

I used flat black Rust-Oleum enamel paint and it worked well. I had the same situation. I used a low profile roller and probably had to do two coats, then another touch up where I could see light coming through. I haven't moved the tank so I'm not sure if any dripped :wow2:

 

[cjsparky]

Went with a Blue gloss latex enamel...looks pretty good after 3 coats...

CJ