Spray painting the wood trim

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Idealconcepts

Feeder Fish
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Mar 8, 2006
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Ok, I got a couple used tanks in my possession, an 80gal and an 40gal. The only problem is they have the wood color trim and the stand I built for them is all black, these tanks will be in a spare bedroom used as grow out, hospital, and quarantine tanks. I plan on spray painting trim with black spray paint so it will be a closer match to the stand. I did a search and was able to get some information but wanted to confirm a few things. I’m going to tape the edges and use a piece of cardboard to make sure I don’t spray on the glass. My questions are:

1. Can I just give the trim a good cleaning and give the trim a once over with acetone? (or do I need to do anything else?)
2. Is it ok to flip the tanks over so I can spray the bottom edges of the trim? (or will this put too much stress on the tank?)
3. Any type of spray paint, or brand you guys recommend? (or what should I stay away from?)
4. Anything else to you guys would suggest to do or avoid with spray painting the trim?

Thanks in advance.
 
1. Yes, that should be fine

2. Yes, that should be fine IF you use two people on the 80g (40g wouldn't hurt too) and make sure it's on a clean level surface (and of cardboard will help prevent chipping).

3: Krylon Fusion, is for plastic and serveral here have had good success, let it dry one day longer than instructions say.

4: Tape edges then tape newspaper to that tape just like they do when painting a car etc.
Seal the inside of the tank by taping plastic wrap to the inside of the tank just below the plastic trim.

Several like tack coats before a final cover coat are better than trying to cover in one shot and less runs (cafefully clean any runs immediately and respray while other is still wet to blend better)

Good Luck

How about some before/after pix, some may want to do this after they see how good yours turns out.

Dr Joe

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Once again thanks Dr Joe. I'll take pics today for the before pictures, and hopefully I can get started on spray painting the trim this weekend and take some after pictures.

I have two additional question, more like just need to confirm the following:

1. Should I work on the top then let it dry for a day or two then flip it and work on the bottom and let it dry for a day or two? Instead of trying to do both the top and bottom trims pieces at once?
2. If I want to put some additional silicone to seal the inside of either tank, say under the trim, where the glass and trim meet and the inside edges of the glass, should I spray paint first or should I silicone then spray paint? Which order is prefered and why?

Thanks.
 
Idealconcepts;586577; said:
Once again thanks Dr Joe. I'll take pics today for the before pictures, and hopefully I can get started on spray painting the trim this weekend and take some after pictures.

I have two additional question, more like just need to confirm the following:

1. Should I work on the top then let it dry for a day or two then flip it and work on the bottom and let it dry for a day or two? Instead of trying to do both the top and bottom trims pieces at once?
2. If I want to put some additional silicone to seal the inside of either tank, say under the trim, where the glass and trim meet and the inside edges of the glass, should I spray paint first or should I silicone then spray paint? Which order is prefered and why?

Thanks.
Click to expand...


1. Do the bottom first, let it dry, then when you turn it over to paint the top, if anything sticks to it or scratches the edge it won't matter as much since it's the bottom and the stand will hide it.

2. Silicone first, after cleaning to get better adhesion. Tape off just above the edge of the plastic so you get a clean smooth edge. (the blue paintiers tape is good for this and remove it right after putting on the silicone (pull the tape at a 45* angle toward the silicone so any silicone threads will fall back on silicone seam).

Dr Joe

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Thanks again Dr Joe.

I actually did the top first, because I was thinking of spray painting the bottom of the glass because both tanks would be bare. When I flip the tanks I will be placing them on cordboard or some type of foam.

I went to Lowes to buy the Krylon but they didn't have it, instead I bought a Lowes Brand American Tradition (by Valspar SP???) called Plastics, which is suppose to bond to plastic and is an enamel. Is it ok to use enamel paint and can I use it on the bottom glass as well?

Once all the spray paint drys say after 3-4 days, I should be fine if I house the entire tank off with a garden house, right? I want to make sure I get any dust from sanding out of the tank or any dust from the garage.

Thanks.
 
Only thing I'm worried about is the weight of the tank pressing on the fresh paint (even a week old) on anything may stick. Put it out in the sun if the weather is good, to help cure it better. A sun lamp may melt or warp the plastic.


I don't think I've used that brand before but enamel is great.

Clean everything well and the paint should stick, remember it will give a gloss/mirror finish to the bottom.

Dr Joe

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Ive painted a few frames just scuffed with sandpaper and painted.one painted with latex housepaint to match the stand:D
 
Brush on paint will be better in this case. It will take much less time to paint, and can be put up with water only 4 hours after the paint is on if you use a latex. Spraypaint is dangerous in that you may end up getting some paint on the glass (inside or out).
 
Hey Dr Joe, it went well. I have the larger tank in the house with some fish, looks awesome. The smaller tank is in the garage, I'm going to test it for a few days to make sure it doesn't leak. I ended up painting the bottom, and looks good, the GF liked how it looked too. Love the nice black trim. I'll see if I can take pix tonight and post them. Thanks for your help and everyone else who replied.
 
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