How should I tape for painting around holes?

[Virtual Balboa]

I'm not exactly new here but wasn't sure where to post this question. I'm working on a 75 gallon build and am ready to paint the back of my tank. I have 4 holes drilled in the back. Two are for a Synergy Reef overflow. And two are for my return line bulkheads. With the overflow box there will be rubber gaskets on the outside of the tank between the tank and the box. So when I paint I'm assuming I should avoid painting where the gaskets will go. On my return bulkheads the gaskets will be inside the tank so I don't see a problem with just painting around the holes. What would be the best way to tape off a circle around where the overflow gaskets will go?

 

[SFish]

I'm going to do something similar and was wondering the same thing myself. I'll be interested to see what is suggested.

 

[ericarenee]

if you use bulkheads properly the seals are on the inside so you do NOT need to tape around the holes....if there is a seal on the outside then i would say 1/4 inch wide around the hole

 

[Virtual Balboa]

if you use bulkheads properly the seals are on the inside so you do NOT need to tape around the holes....

The way the overflow box is made you must use gaskets between it and the outside of the tank.

 

[ericarenee]

The way the overflow box is made you must use gaskets between it and the outside of the tank.

you are right.


1/4 inch around the holes will be enough.. i was adding that to my above post..

 

[Virtual Balboa]

you are right.


1/4 inch around the holes will be enough.. i was adding that to my above post..

Any ideas how to make a nice circle other than freehand? I saw in another thread where you were talking about a jebao dc return pump too. How do you like it? That's what I was thinking about buying.

 

[ericarenee]

Any ideas how to make a nice circle other than freehand? I saw in another thread where you were talking about a jebao dc return pump too. How do you like it? That's what I was thinking about buying.

Put blue tape over the hole say a 3x3 inch square.use your finger to and push around the edge of the hole. then place the seal onto the correct location , with a razor blade run it around the outside of the seal. peal the tape off ..


Simple easy and done.. leave the hole covered this will keep paint out of the inside of the tank.

 

[Virtual Balboa]

Put blue tape over the hole say a 3x3 inch square.use your finger to and push around the edge of the hole. then place the seal onto the correct location , with a razor blade run it around the outside of the seal. peal the tape off ..


Simple easy and done.. leave the hole covered this will keep paint out of the inside of the tank.

Thanks I like that idea! I am still wondering about that return pump.

 

[johnike]

Tape it from the inside and clean the hole?

 

[Jwheld]

Peel the tape when the paint is wet, or you will risk chipping the paint.

 

[Virtual Balboa]

The way the overflow is designed you end up making the holes larger than you would for a regular 1 1/2" bulkhead. This allows you to move it around a bit in the hole. So I wanted my taped off holes to be bigger to account for the box shifting side to side a little when installing it. This probably doesn't really matter but it took me about 10 minutes to do. I also was a little afraid of just tracing the gasket on the back of the tank with a razor blade in case I slipped. Once I cut the tape circles I used a light from underneath to center them over the hole.