Painting glass help?

J

junbug1970

New member
i'm going to paint the back of my 45 gallon tank black. any threads about this process or tips anyone can help?

Do i need to sand the tank first? gloss, semi gloss, or flat? any particular paint or general spray paint that will work for as long is noted that can apply on glass. right?

thanks

Junus



thanks

Junus
 
I didn't sand or anything, I just cleaned the glass with water, then dried it, then painted it black with Krylon Fusion. It seems to have worked well.
 
I have painted a couple tanks in the past with black epoxy paint. If you can, buy the kind made for outdoor furniture or house trim.
Just clean the glass with vinegar first and roll it on. It will stay on there forever.

Jeff
 
I haven't had too much issue with salt creep I guess. It doesn't get on the back of the tank at least, mostly up near the lid of the tank.
 
I used spray paint. 3 coats and made sure to tape the bulkheads holes and the trim. I also covered the tanks, so no paint would get on the inside.
 
When I spray painted, I taped everything up with masking tape and made a skirt of sorts out of newspaper around the part I was painting so it wouldn't go anywhere else. Do it on a dry day when it's a bit warm if you can wait.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9691031#post9691031 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by junbug1970
roll it on? not spray paint?
Click to expand...


I rolled it on...
I doubt it matters though.
 
On my old 58g I just used regular old spraypaint and it came out great. I used painters tape and newspaper to cover all the sides and the top of the tank, then sprayed away. I let it dry for an hour or so, then put on a 2nd coat. The supplies to do it shouldnt cost you more than $10 (can of spray paint, painters tape).
 
mask it off with tape and newspaper- Krylon Fusion about 3 coats sprayed on

Overspray so you don't puddle - Overspray means start spraying before you hit the tank (left) and extend past the opposite edge (right)

I'd wait till it's not so cold - Paint will remain tacky otherwise

Here's another tip -

Get the Michaels Crafts and Joann Fabric coupons from the newspaper - Michaels sell the Krylon Fusion for like $5.00 - Coupons are typically 25-40% off and Michaels takes the Joann coupons as well
 
Last edited:
damn i'm sooo inpatient. already taped, newspaper and mask and sprayed first coat. lol

i already bought gloss indoor outdoor spray paint. i painted in my basement,its rather dry and warmer downstairs than outside. hope te fumes go away before the wife gets home. lol

thanks again for the advise
 
Oh man, you're like me then. I did mine in winter in the garage. I would periodically open the entry door to the house to let the garage heat up a bit and then close it because of the fumes... but there was no way I was going to wait for a warm day. :)
 
i know right. i have the day off, so i'd have to jump on it now while the wife isnt home. lol

the other i cut acrylic in my kitchen and she would not stop complaining cuz i have acrylic debris all over the kitchen. lol
 
I used a Krylon paint too. I sprayed the bottom of the tank a darker blue color, than tapered it off towards the middle of the tank. Then I used a lighter blue on the top. The two overlapped and the color change turned out really subtle (thanks to spray cans, you can't do that with a roller!) You can tell the difference if you compare the top to the bottom, but the gradual fading (or gradiation) effect is hard to see. I'll see if I have a pic of it somewhere.
 
LOL, i know right. She barks loud, but never bite. hope she never goes in here and read this posts. lol

tank is all done. YAY. Got my sand, sump is ready, i'm ready to rock and roll. i'm ready to put it all together and fill. wohooooooooo

1 tank down, 2 more to go. :(



<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9692100#post9692100 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by yankeereefer
Don't tick her off Junus - I met the woman and bet she could take you :D

Ryan
Click to expand...
:(
 
I didn't paint. I used the double sided (black-blue) aquarium background, I applied it to the back of the tank with petrolum jelly.
It looks great, can't even tell is not paint.
 
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