Advice Please On Painting Glass Tank Sides Black Using A

[Aqua Andy]

Hi,

today it is my mission to paint the to sides of my glass tank which face walls black.

I'd like to use a paint which is as easy to remove as possible incase of a future location change of the tank.

I would much appriciate advice from people who have done this themselves.

What type of paint is best to use?

Where to buy it (I live in the UK)?

How to prepare the glass for painting?

And anything else you can think of that might be of help.

Thanks for reading my post,


Andy

 

[windsor-aquatic]

I would advice a water-based (emulsion) type paint. Avoid an ail-based paint; I have rwice seen incidents where this has reacted with the silicone. You will now be inundated with dozens of poste swearing by gloss paint, but I am speaking as a tank manufacturer for the last 32 years.

 

[Aqua Andy]

I would advice a water-based (emulsion) type paint. Avoid an ail-based paint; I have rwice seen incidents where this has reacted with the silicone. You will now be inundated with dozens of poste swearing by gloss paint, but I am speaking as a tank manufacturer for the last 32 years.

Thanks windsor-aquatic.

So I'll have to brush it on rather than buy an aerosol? Can you get water based aerosols?

It would be a little less mucky.


Andy

 

[windsor-aquatic]

I've not come across an aerosol in emulsion, but it's worth asking about. You'll probably find it will need a couple of coats, but it's usually pretty quick drying.

 

[Aqua Andy]

Thanks again.

I've just picked up a 125 ml tin of mat black emulsion from Focus.

Black emulsion is surprisingly difficult to find!

How should I prepare the glass before painting?


Andy

 

[Lateral Line]

I have always used 2-3 coats of blackboard paint. Clean the glass with alcohol first. I have used it on and off for 40 years and never had any trouble with it. All of my current display tanks, (ie not breeding tanks), have at least the back painted with it, at least on eof them has been with me and painted for 15 years.

 

[Aqua Andy]

I have always used 2-3 coats of blackboard paint. Clean the glass with alcohol first. I have used it on and off for 40 years and never had any trouble with it. All of my current display tanks, (ie not breeding tanks), have at least the back painted with it, at least on eof them has been with me and painted for 15 years.

Thanks for the reply LL.

I don't have any industrial alcohol. Could I use white spirit (turpentine) or vodka?

Andy

 

[windsor-aquatic]

You could also use meths, as it dries very quickly (we use it for cleaning the glass prior to building a tank).

 

[Aqua Andy]

You could also use meths, as it dries very quickly (we use it for cleaning the glass prior to building a tank).

Thats what I ended up using.

I've just put the first coat on. It's going to need at least two.


Andy

 

[Aqua Andy]

Finally finished.

The picture's are poor. It looks good in the flesh.

Thanks for your guidance.


Andy

QUOTE(Lateral Line @ Oct 15 2005, 01:40 PM)

I have always used 2-3 coats of blackboard paint. Clean the glass with alcohol first. I have used it on and off for 40 years and never had any trouble with it. All of my current display tanks, (ie not breeding tanks), have at least the back painted with it, at least on eof them has been with me and painted for 15 years.

My Dad had some blackboard paint that I could of used. I should have spoken to him before buying the emulsion.