used a primer for oil based paint on the outside, and used latex zap (like killz) on the inside. also copious sanding and a bit of wood filler.
thanks for the compliment, i used the simple stand build thread from the diy forum here on rc and then skinned it how I wanted it combined with what I could come up with being only the second stand I have built. if I had it to do over I would have skinned it with a grade plywood instead of the b-c, and I would have reduced the size of the top brace to get my protein skimmer cup out easier.