Background Question

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
I learned from the window tinting guys. Spray a soap/water mix out of a $0.99 spray bottle, then apply the BG sheet and use a "bondo spreader" or a credit card to work out the air pockets/bubbles. Once the bubbles are out the BG material sticks/dries and you have a smooth install that can be pulled off later. Tape is the easy way out and you can tell when someone uses tape..
 
I always used taped backgrounds until I started to just paint the backgrounds. A roommate did use the soap water applying method that JK47 mentioned, and it looks 1,000 times better than tape. The background adheres to all the glass as opposed to tape just adhering the corners and sides. Wet it and slide out the air bubbles and you are golden. You can also do this with backgrounds in windows.
 
you could go get some vinyl and wrap it like i did on my 240. The 9foot by 3 foot piece I got was 12 dollars. Here is a step by step link of when I did it to my tank.

http://www.houstonfishbox.com/vforum...ainting-a-tank


Tell me what ya think and hope it helps! :)
Click to expand...

Wow, thanks a lot. i really like that. Ize think im going to do that. :headbang2

I would paint it but I would have to empty the tanks because they are against the wall.

I learned from the window tinting guys. Spray a soap/water mix out of a $0.99 spray bottle, then apply the BG sheet and use a "bondo spreader" or a credit card to work out the air pockets/bubbles. Once the bubbles are out the BG material sticks/dries and you have a smooth install that can be pulled off later. Tape is the easy way out and you can tell when someone uses tape..
Click to expand...

Thanks a lot, that is very helpful. Im going to try that on my 30 gallon.
 
ok are you ready for this

I noticed many a year ago that when I first applied a background
any spots that may have been wet adheared to the glass
and picked up the light from the hood x10 brighter and moar vibrant
The water however, dries, bubbles, and fails
so naow I'm thinking..

vasoline
Petroleum Jelly
See above post for the window tint method
but with vasoline

The only reason I don't paint ALL of my tanks is that
this method works SO WELL that I have
the most vibrant backgrounds in town

doesn't dry
doesn't bubble
doesn't crack
would recommend
 
I guess I've been lucky with backgrounds. All I've ever done is use four pieces of tape on each side top and bottom. But I have used limo tint before and it looked damn good.........
 
I painted mine after messing with tape and water getting splashed in between the glass and background by the big guys and trying to clean it , I sprayed it dark blue and it showed some spray lines and just as a thought I sprayed over the blue with flat black and like magic it hid all the lines and looks flawless and I don't have to worry about cleaning the back and you would never be able to tell it wasn't vinyl or store bought backing minus the shadows and tape .
 
ok are you ready for this

I noticed many a year ago that when I first applied a background
any spots that may have been wet adheared to the glass
and picked up the light from the hood x10 brighter and moar vibrant
The water however, dries, bubbles, and fails
so naow I'm thinking..

vasoline
Petroleum Jelly
See above post for the window tint method
but with vasoline

The only reason I don't paint ALL of my tanks is that
this method works SO WELL that I have
the most vibrant backgrounds in town

doesn't dry
doesn't bubble
doesn't crack
would recommend
Click to expand...

Wow, okay im going to pick up some vasoline. That's great. Im tired of messing around with the tape.

I painted mine after messing with tape and water getting splashed in between the glass and background by the big guys and trying to clean it , I sprayed it dark blue and it showed some spray lines and just as a thought I sprayed over the blue with flat black and like magic it hid all the lines and looks flawless and I don't have to worry about cleaning the back and you would never be able to tell it wasn't vinyl or store bought backing minus the shadows and tape .
Click to expand...

Exactly, I got water at the back of my tank and now I have to dry it. So I was wondering what you guys did to stick it up.
 
ar0wan;4691249; said:
ok are you ready for this

I noticed many a year ago that when I first applied a background
any spots that may have been wet adheared to the glass
and picked up the light from the hood x10 brighter and moar vibrant
The water however, dries, bubbles, and fails
so naow I'm thinking..

vasoline
Petroleum Jelly
See above post for the window tint method
but with vasoline

The only reason I don't paint ALL of my tanks is that
this method works SO WELL that I have
the most vibrant backgrounds in town

doesn't dry
doesn't bubble
doesn't crack
would recommend
Click to expand...

Pretty sure my background is more vibrant than yours... check the sig. :grinno:
 
why not paint the background? if you cannot take the tank out. use paint not spray paint. and just paint it on. and easy to remove if you want it it remove. just a thought.
 
I always put my backgrounds on with standard tape and let it sit for about a week. This allows the roll to flatten out. Then I take it off, spray it down with soapy water and stick it back on the tank (after I wipe down the tank of course...usually I foget this step and have to do it all over again! lol). I usually tape it on again to hold it in place, but using a razor, I trim the tape at the panel seems. If you do this, be careful not to cut into the silicone though!

Using soapy water or a light oil makes the background look so much better!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom