Painting the back side of the tank

Discussion in 'New To The Hobby' started by Degcds, Apr 7, 2011.

to remove this notice and enjoy 3reef content with less ads. 3reef membership is free.

Page 1 of 2
  1. Degcds

    Degcds Plankton

    Joined:
    Apr 2, 2011
    Messages:
    17
    Location:
    Columbus, Ohio
    I want to paint the back side of my 90 gallon tank before we put water in it (obviously the outside of the tank! LOL but my question is how many of you have done this and how many recommend it and if you recommend it what type of paint? ;D\

    Thanks!!!
     
    Degcds, Apr 7, 2011
    Degcds, Apr 7, 2011
    #1

    2. Click Here!

  2. glampka

    glampka Coral Banded Shrimp

    Joined:
    Jan 17, 2007
    Messages:
    366
    Location:
    Williamsville, NY
    Do it on all my tanks. Normally I use the least expensive spray paint I can find. Some will use a small roller to coat it.
     
    glampka, Apr 7, 2011
    glampka, Apr 7, 2011
    #2
    1 person likes this.
  3. jonjonwells

    jonjonwells Great Blue Whale

    Joined:
    Dec 9, 2008
    Messages:
    2,835
    Location:
    SE Kansas
    I taped the edges and rolled a latex paint on. It takes quite a few coats to get it to cover well. The roller tends to slide instead of roll on the smooth surface.
     
    jonjonwells, Apr 7, 2011
    jonjonwells, Apr 7, 2011
    #3
  4. loaded_guy

    loaded_guy Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Feb 10, 2011
    Messages:
    31
    Location:
    Hillsboro, OR.
    Both of my tanks are painted on the outside back. My 30 gallon is custom airbrushed and my 150 is straight matte black with a clear matte finish for protection against salt.

    Suggest taping all edges before painting and using denatured alcohol as a pre-cleaner and post cleaner for any over-spray.
     
    loaded_guy, Apr 7, 2011
    loaded_guy, Apr 7, 2011
    #4
    1 person likes this.
  5. Servillius

    Servillius Montipora Digitata

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2011
    Messages:
    1,062
    Location:
    Houston, Texas.
    I wouldn't leave a tank without it. Black is my color of choice and it looks best if kept clean, but those are questions of aesthetics. As for how, I use Kylon Fusion, tape the sides and spray with nice even strokes keeping the tip an even distance from the glass and facing straight and perpendicular to the painted surface. It looks great.
     
    Servillius, Apr 7, 2011
    Servillius, Apr 7, 2011
    #5
    1 person likes this.
  6. Seano Hermano

    Seano Hermano Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Apr 7, 2010
    Messages:
    10,056
    Location:
    Northwest Ohio
    I cleaned the tank's outside with vinegar before painting. I used Krylon matte-black spray paint and I love how it looks. I also scrape the inside of the tank to keep it looking sharp. ;)
     
    Seano Hermano, Apr 7, 2011
    Seano Hermano, Apr 7, 2011
    #6
    1 person likes this.

    7. Click Here!

  7. SnooknRedz

    SnooknRedz Vlamingii Tang

    Joined:
    Sep 4, 2010
    Messages:
    1,869
    Location:
    Melbourne FL
    SnooknRedz, Apr 7, 2011
    SnooknRedz, Apr 7, 2011
    #7
    1 person likes this.
  8. Zechenia

    Zechenia Corkscrew Tentacle Anemone

    Joined:
    Jan 13, 2011
    Messages:
    731
    Location:
    Spokane, WA
    I just taped it off, and used the cheapest paint I could find. Took a lotta coats (and from the backside, which is against a wall, it looked kinda runny) however inside it looks great. It's a lot easier than I imagined it would be.
     
    Zechenia, Apr 8, 2011
    Zechenia, Apr 8, 2011
    #8
  9. Vinnyboombatz

    Vinnyboombatz Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2010
    Messages:
    6,344
    Location:
    Dunnellon, Florida
    As a painter it warms my heart to see so many good responses.K+ all around I am buyin.;D8) Because you are painting the opposite side of what you are looking at and while I encourage good painting practices you really cant mess up.Just tape off the edges and protect the rest of the tank with plastic or paper (lots of overspray with aerosol cans) I wouldn't recommend latex unless it is sealed with some sort of clear afterwards. Snookz DIY is great.
    Good luck.
     
    Last edited: Apr 8, 2011
    Vinnyboombatz, Apr 8, 2011
    Vinnyboombatz, Apr 8, 2011
    #9
  10. Degcds

    Degcds Plankton

    Joined:
    Apr 2, 2011
    Messages:
    17
    Location:
    Columbus, Ohio
    Thank you for all of your responses!! All of you guys are wonderful! I can say all of you have made this process so much easier! I can't wait to get water in the tank this weekend!!! bought 120 pounds of live rock for 1.60 a pound cured (local craigslist ad) - picking it up Saturday!
     
    Degcds, Apr 8, 2011
    Degcds, Apr 8, 2011
    #10
Page 1 of 2