need help with diy stand finishing

[smartlove_518]

hi,

I had a diy tank stand made for my 180 gallon tank about a year ago..but it is just made of wood and has no finishing to it...I dont like how it looks.I'm a complete newbie in all this..could anyone please guide me as to what i have to do to give my stand the glossy fine finish of all the other stands i see on mfk..i need to know what to apply first and how many coats and how long do i leave it before applying anything else....i dont know anything in this matter. and i want the stand to be black,

thank you

 

[bob965]

If you want it to be glossy black, then you use gloss black paint. Use wood putty to fill in any blemishes, then sand it. I like to use killz primer on stands. It comes in white, but you can get them to tint it for you at the store. I have a can of it that's dark gray that I use for black stands, since it would take a ton of extra coats to cover white primer with black paint. Then paint it with any latex paint. Two or three coats should do.

 

[smartlove_518]

If you want it to be glossy black, then you use gloss black paint. Use wood putty to fill in any blemishes, then sand it. I like to use killz primer on stands. It comes in white, but you can get them to tint it for you at the store. I have a can of it that's dark gray that I use for black stands, since it would take a ton of extra coats to cover white primer with black paint. Then paint it with any latex paint. Two or three coats should do.

thanx for the reply...I have a couple more questions....why do i need the latex paint...and do i paint the latex paint after the primer?? secondly, arent transparent primers available???

thank you

 

[bob965]

I recommended latex simply because it's most commonly available. You could use any type of paint you want really. I use a primer because I feel it adds an extra barrier against moisture, it's not required. Primer goes on first then paint.

 

[smartlove_518]

I recommended latex simply because it's most commonly available. You could use any type of paint you want really. I use a primer because I feel it adds an extra barrier against moisture, it's not required. Primer goes on first then paint.

oh thanx for the replies...i got the idea..now ill start with the painting tomorrow...

 

[JrayJ]

I'd stain it black. With a couple clear coats.

 

[calcnerd]

Stain it your choice of colors & then give it a few coats with polyurethane. Wipe on poly is great. That's what I used on my stand.

 

[smartlove_518]

Stain it your choice of colors & then give it a few coats with polyurethane. Wipe on poly is great. That's what I used on my stand.

that is a great idea too..how many coats of stain do i need to apply?? the darker the color the more coats i apply right