Was wondering if there is some type of clear non toxic waterproof paint I can put on a figurine so i can put it in my tank. I want to put one of my pewter dragons into my tank. Unfortunately I have never seen this as a tank ornament before, so was just wondering if anyone else has done something like this before. Thanks.
ornaments-DIY
- Thread starter pinnky
- Start date
I use a clear acrylic spray a few years ago but only lasted 6mo. before it started to whiten up.
Marine epoxy would be next.
Just don't have pleco's in the tank
.
Dr Joe
.
Marine epoxy would be next.
Just don't have pleco's in the tank
.Dr Joe
.
I will check out the polyurethane and the clear acrylic spray out, maybe they make better versions now. Thanks guys.
Happy Holidays
Happy Holidays
The polyurethane spray in gloss or satin works well. The acrylic spray reacts with water over time. I use the Minwax Fast Drying Polyurethane spray.
I usually spray a coat and let dry. Then shoot another coat and let sit in your garage or someplace like that for a week. There should be very little plastic smell when the pieces are dry and the finish should be hard. I hear some folks soak their finished pieces in water for a day or two to leach out any leftover VOC's. This is great for store bought decorations.
You will find that the paint on the decoration will not come off and will fade a lot less. When you need to scrub the algae off just use an old soft toothbrush under running water and bang, you're done. I scrubbed mine yesterday along with my water change.
HOWEVER
You are using pewter so I would make sure that it has NO HOLES in it anywhere where water can get in (I'm betting it's cast). Polyurethane spray is not thick enough to fill gaps. If the figurine has an open cast well on the bottom then by all means it needs to be completely sealed and resin or polyurethane dip is the way to go. Get a quart can of the poly and dip the figurine several times. If you go with resin make sure it is mixed well like Rally said. A warm hair dryer aimed at the piece will lower the viscosity of the resin and it will drip off and leave a thin layer.
Hope this helps.
Merry Christmas
I usually spray a coat and let dry. Then shoot another coat and let sit in your garage or someplace like that for a week. There should be very little plastic smell when the pieces are dry and the finish should be hard. I hear some folks soak their finished pieces in water for a day or two to leach out any leftover VOC's. This is great for store bought decorations.
You will find that the paint on the decoration will not come off and will fade a lot less. When you need to scrub the algae off just use an old soft toothbrush under running water and bang, you're done. I scrubbed mine yesterday along with my water change.
HOWEVER
You are using pewter so I would make sure that it has NO HOLES in it anywhere where water can get in (I'm betting it's cast). Polyurethane spray is not thick enough to fill gaps. If the figurine has an open cast well on the bottom then by all means it needs to be completely sealed and resin or polyurethane dip is the way to go. Get a quart can of the poly and dip the figurine several times. If you go with resin make sure it is mixed well like Rally said. A warm hair dryer aimed at the piece will lower the viscosity of the resin and it will drip off and leave a thin layer.
Hope this helps.
Merry Christmas