exterior painted background-how to?

[jeremy1]

I'm wanting to paint the outside of the back of my tank rather than use a taped on paper one.has anyone ever done this? any tips or tricks that I should know about? Thanks for any input!!

[d_frag]

Painting the back of a tank can be quite easy. I tend to paint them with a flat spray paint. Any color would be fine, but might look strange if you had a bright yellow background in a tank. Slightly off white, black, blue are common colors. Make sure if you do use spray paint to tape and or cover the sides, top and front so no overspray ends up all over them(and it will). I tend to do a couple of coats, the first reasonably covering the back, and then the second with a flashlight to find the spots that shine through from the light.

[Rav100]

Painting the back of a tank can be quite easy. I tend to paint them with a flat spray paint. Any color would be fine, but might look strange if you had a bright yellow background in a tank. Slightly off white, black, blue are common colors. Make sure if you do use spray paint to tape and or cover the sides, top and front so no overspray ends up all over them(and it will). I tend to do a couple of coats, the first reasonably covering the back, and then the second with a flashlight to find the spots that shine through from the light.
Just to add to what d_frag said. IMO its better to choose a latex base paint. Just incase you need to remove the paint you just peel it off easily.

[jeremy1]

yea im thinking of trying to "mist" white and two different shades of blue.luckily i have some glass to practice on. guess we'll see if i have any artist in me....

[dsap92]

I have had good luck with just rolling on Latex paint. I never have had to peel it off, but a good point was made. I think it would be hard to remove spray paint, but the latex comes off pretty easy.

[Longstocking]

Depends on what type of spray paint. There is some stuff that comes off easier than others. I don't recall the name though :lol:

[m1ke715m]

i had to paint the outside of the back of the tank just in the spots where there were cracks in my 3D backgrounds to block the light from shining through. we just used regular black latex paint and a paintbrush. it took 2-3 coats for it to be effective thou. 1 coat is def not enough if you want it opaque

[98dak83cam]

Find a local sign shop and get a piece of vinyl from them. That way if you do not like it later you can pull it off.

[m1ke715m]

latex paint peels right off with a razor blade

[twong727]

If you are OK with blue or black I recently used a background with adhesive called "Blue Life": you clean the glass, spray the background with soapy water to activate the adhesive and then squeege the water out just like car window tinting. I got it for about $24 for a 72 x 30 piece. Since I have used only 72 x 18 for my 125g I still have leftovers for other smaller tank if I want to. I think it is a pretty good value. It is also a lot less messy than using the "Seaview" background gel to glue your background.