Removing a Painted Background

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uncwnells

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Aug 18, 2008
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Wilmington, NC
The previous owner to my tank has painted the back of it a light blue, I want to remove the light blue paint and repaint it with black. I am planning on using black latex spray paint when I redo it. Will the fish that are living in the tank now survive in a 100 gallon, and a 50 gallon rubbermaid until I can get the blue removed and black on and dry? Any tips on painting the tank are welcome, along with tips on how to ensure my fish will survive.

*Wasn't sure where this belonged, move to DIY if it belongs there*
 
If it's a glass tank, just use a glass scraper. These are pretty cheap at any hardware/ home improvement store. Go ahead and get a few extra blades; they can get dull pretty quickly. How easily it comes off will depend on what kind of paint it is. Latex or acrylic comes off much more easily than oil.

If it's an acrylic tank- good luck!
 
Its a glass tank, and Im hoping they used Latex paint!
 
For repainting, why not try Oyama paper instead? Not sure if you have these in your country....its a stick on paper that works magically with water when applying it to the tank, and it sticks on once it dries up.
 
I use white vinegar and I heat it up to almost boiling in the microwave. Brush it on the painted surface, let it sit for a little while and scrape it off with a razor blade. It literally comes off in sheets. When it starts getting harder to scrape re-heat the vinegar. It is the easiest way I've found.
 
Thanks for the vinegar trick I will definetly have to try that! As for the sticky paper, I am not sure that I have ever seen that. I bought flat black spray paint today, will this work or should I get the glossy kind?
 
make sure to clean all the streaks and finger prints off the back BEFORE you paint it!
 
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