Advice please on painting tanks, do you use Spray paint?

[Zebra Pleco]

Hi all, going to be in receipt of some new tanks in the near future. Just going to use them as breeders, so out of sight.

Normally I have bacgrounds on my tanks, but want to paint the base, sides and backs of these tanks in blue.

Just wondering, do you use spray paint to paint the outsides of tank or gloss/emulsion paint.

What shade of blue does everyone use and is there any pitfalls that I need to avoid.

I just don't want the paint to interfere with the silcon seals etc.

Any advice on paiting appreciated.

 

[Zebra Pleco]

lol I need to learn how to use a keyboard, my spelling and typing is atrocious (used MS Word spell check to check how to spell atrocious)

 

[Lornek8]

I've just used any cheap spraypaint. Paint won't affect the silicon, it won't really stick, not much sticks to silicon once cured.

Just taped off all the areas that I didn't want paint or overspray & go to town. Helps if you can use a light (shine from inside/look from outside) to see areas that you might have missed or gotten inadequate coverage. Quite easy to miss until its too late otherwise.

 

[FF MkII]

I use blackboard paint, leaves a nice matt finish.

I never use blue paint, can't bare it personally.

 

[Tener ds]

i dont use paint,i us black paper.i get it printed for me at work

 

[Zebra Pleco]

thanks all, will take a trip to B&Q or Homebase and see what they have in stock

 

[MICKSNOWDOG]

i'm a house painter by trade, for the ultimate adhesion wash the glass thoroughly first, then apply ESP made by flood company. it will chemically prepare the surface and make it heaps harder to scratch off accidentally.
depending on the finish you want is the next step. if you use an enamel i would not use the tanks for a week or so, if you use an acrylic it should be ok, personally i would not use spray packs, they are full of ultra cheap enamel pissed down heaps with turps.

 

[Joby]

Some tanks i've acquired have black paint backing and to be honest I find it a pain as a lot of my fish are black with white markings so I lose them in there :wb: trying to count a spawn of Queen Arabesque that were stuck to the back of the tank was a nightmare :lol: Just something to consider :thumbup:

 

[MICKSNOWDOG]

i've got a few second handys that someone has painted blue acrylic straight onto the glass, it looks **** and is half scratched off

 

[simonas]

I use royal blue tile paint from B and Q it works a treat and I personally prefer that to black, it looks great with the sand and green plants. It leaves a perfect finish very easy to apply and I think its Ronseal

 

[MICKSNOWDOG]

tile paint is a much better idea. it will be made to adhere to smooth surfaces. i would recommend never using it on showers, baths or sinks. it dies and peels in about 5 years.

 

[foti]

there is a product called ESP (Easy surface prep) to help paint bond.
It is a clear liquid that you wipe over the glass with a clean cloth and allow to dry.
Once cured you can paint your chosen colour straight over the top with no chipping or flaking problems...

i like black iv used blue over it
(its your tank tho so blue is what you want just do it)

just roll the paint on no need to spray it

 

[MICKSNOWDOG]

^yep, thats it. if you paint acrylic over the top it will not fully set for 28 days, but i've never had a drama with it.

 

[JoePlec]

On all of my tanks in fish house i used Sky Blue Emulsion...

Ive had no problems at all and still looks nice. Use a mini 4" roller rather than a brush you will get a better finish. It will take 3 coats to get emulsion on a tank looking perfect.