Putting together a DIY canopy, I have some questions.

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
M

MilitantPotato

Candiru
MFK Member
Jul 19, 2006
722
2
48
Missouri, USA
Both are on paint,
The first is:
What brand and/or style of paint matches the black used on All-glass/perfecto stands?

2nd is

What have you all used to seal the inside? Some time on google and searching the forums came up with polyurethane paint, are there any others that are inexpensive/readily available that anyone has used and liked?

Thanks!
 
I would assume that on a canopy you could just put down a good coat of Thompsons Water Seal, or something of that sort. Since its not going to be in the tank it shouldnt have any effect on the fish. Just give it ample drying time.

If Im wrong please correct me, just making an assumption here. And we all know what that leads to.
 
Well I'm in the process of building my own canopy, already cut the 3/4" birchwood.

I plan to stain it with mahogany red, then polyurethane it with 3 coats. Thats for the outside only, I plan to paint the inside white with the mildew proof paint that you use for the bathrooms.

I figure using the mildew paint, because its white therefore with the fixture inside it will make the tank look brighter from the reflection of the white paint.
 
Hmm, mildew inhibitors sounds dangerious, fish splashing and condensation when the lights are out is to risky for my taste.


Polyurethane is just a general purpose top coat/sealer that can be applied to just about any paint/stain right?
After this one the wife is having me do one for her display tank and she wants it stained. :irked:
What brand of stain will you use?


Deck sealer has mildew inhibitors also I think, I'll give them a call and check.
Great idea :headbang2
 
Using minwax stain for the outside of the canopy. Mildew resistant paint dangerous? Nah..I doubt it, only reason I'm using is to protect the wood inside of the canopy from condensation and what not. The paint is made for bathrooms instead of using regualr flat latex paint. The paint doesn't peel and what not.

Worst case enamel based paint should do the trick too, protect the wood inside and if you use white or possibly silver it should reflect the lights better. Also I'm putting in a small fan in the back of the canopy to exhaust any hot air built up from the light fixture.

I'm also going to use All glass versa tops for the tank itself. You're not planning on using glass/acrylic tank covering inside the canopy?
 
I baught flat black indoor/outdoor latex. I'm hoping the coating of polyurethane semi gloss will give it the same reflective look and offer some protection.
 
I think you got a handle on it MP...I used Krylon Fusion for the inside on some and seemed to work fine.

Get a high grade of poly that's waterPROOF if you can, Water resistant can get a milky look if exposed to high humidity for prolonged periods.

Your right to question the mildew inhibitors, same amount as in the bath silicones, KILLZ brand is off the chart (that's why it's so good)...Any condensation that could drip/leak back down into the tank is not going to be benificial to the fish or the bacteria in the filter.

Hey, where's the pix? (:D )

Dr Joe

.
 
I'll get pics once it's done, it looks like hell, needs some patch work.
This is my first time doing wood work since shop class making compressed Co2 cars on a table saw, I'm very surprised it's all lined up well enough that I can use wood mud on it.

I went to home depot and snagged these three cans, please tell me if I made a mistake, I'd hate to paint this thing just to trash 2+ days of work.

Glidden "Gripper" Int/Ext grey primer:
"Water based acrylic multi-purpose bonding primer" (refundable if wrong)

Glidden "Evermore" Int/Ext flat: "exterior flat paint" "100% acrylic Latex"
- I had this dyed black (non refundable)

Minwax int/ext "Helmsman" Spar Urethane clear semi-gloss: (Refundable if wrong)
I've read spar is superior to poly as it lasts longer and doesn't yellow, hopefully this is true.


I'm sort of at a loss on how to seal the inside of this thing.

I've read two ways of doing it:

Prime/Paint/seal with urethane or just seal with poly/spar urethane and skip the paint process, what should I do?

Thanks for the help and advice.
 
MilitantPotato;625195; said:
I'll get pics once it's done, it looks like hell, needs some patch work.
This is my first time doing wood work since shop class making compressed Co2 cars on a table saw, I'm very surprised it's all lined up well enough that I can use wood mud on it.

I went to home depot and snagged these three cans, please tell me if I made a mistake, I'd hate to paint this thing just to trash 2+ days of work.

Glidden "Gripper" Int/Ext grey primer:
"Water based acrylic multi-purpose bonding primer" (refundable if wrong)

Glidden "Evermore" Int/Ext flat: "exterior flat paint" "100% acrylic Latex"
- I had this dyed black (non refundable)

These two should be ok for the outside, they sound compatible.


Minwax int/ext "Helmsman" Spar Urethane clear semi-gloss: (Refundable if wrong)
I've read spar is superior to poly as it lasts longer and doesn't yellow, hopefully this is true.

Read the label to make sure it adhere to the latex properly. Yes this is a better choice. Slightly softer to prevent cracking (on boats)

I'm sort of at a loss on how to seal the inside of this thing.

I've read two ways of doing it:

Prime/Paint/seal with urethane or just seal with poly/spar urethane and skip the paint process, what should I do?


Are you using a tank cover?

Are you going to have a reflector inside the hood? If not paint it white and seal it. If so just seal it, you can always paint it again later.

A graduate of wood shop class huh? You should sent your old teacher a pic when finished :ROFL:

Dr Joe

.
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
MonsterFishKeepers.com
Top Bottom