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Painting back glass?


Teamsherman

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Hey guys,

To make sure my items within my upcoming display tank really stand out I'm wanting to paint the back glass black as I will be going with a yellow and blue fish, white gravel and driftwood which I want to be the main focal pieces in the tank.

What paint is best to use on the back? Will I want gloss or a matte paint and will it be best as a spray or brush on?

I've not painted glass before so just want to know what most of you guys prefer to use.

Cheers,

Alan.

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My 2 current tanks I just used a tin of flat black Killrust rolled on with a fluffy roller

Beware that Killrust is an industrial epoxy enamel. Sticks to anything and drys very hard. I think I'd buy new tanks than try and clean it off.

I've used acrylic based chalkboard paint before as well. Its easier to get off. It can crack and blister over time a little too though. Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn't.

Either works though.

You can also use a black contact if you dont like the idea of paint or for ease of removal later down the track.

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Ive used both 0% VLT (Visable Light Transmission) window tint film and decorative Adhesive Vinyl (Applied the same as window tint slightly soapy water and a squeegee)

Both work well and wont scratch off as easy as paint if it get knocked

The Vinyl is available in a range of colours including black and a few shades of blue

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Ive used both 0% VLT (Visable Light Transmission) window tint film and decorative Adhesive Vinyl (Applied the same as window tint slightly soapy water and a squeegee)

Both work well and wont scratch off as easy as paint if it get knocked

The Vinyl is available in a range of colours including black and a few shades of blue

Where can I get the decorative vinyl mate? I think I'd prefer something I can just easily peel or scrape off if I ever wanted to.

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or you could paint a muriel on the front of your favorite fish and landscape and u wouldnt have to feed em wouldnt that be fun

nah best time of day first thing in the morning and a tank full following you around the room waiting for you to feed em. who needs a shower after that.

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Ebay Link

Comes in either 40 or 60 cm widths and is priced by the meter comes with application instructions also

Awesome! Just bought some of this to save me painting it. And if I decide to remove it I can just peel it off and carefully use some eucalyptus oil to get rid of any glue residue it leaves behind!

Cheers!

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Ebay Link Comes in either 40 or 60 cm widths and is priced by the meter comes with application instructions also

Received my roll of this stuff yesterday.

Now to find a home for some of the fish and then work out how to get the foam backing inside the tank out! That job is going to suck!!

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  • 1 month later...

Just a heads up if using vinyl: the cheap stuff on Ebay is typical what's called 'Monomeric' or 'Calendered' vinyl, meaning it's manufactured from a large semi solid blob of material and rolled into a sheet. It's cheaper to produce, however the vinyl has memory and over time will try to shrink back into it's original shape, a ball.

The more expensive stuff, Cast vinyl is produced by pouring liquid into a giant mold. It has no memory and is made with higher quality adhesive. It's also much easier to apply.

The cast stuff is about double the price, but it sure beats trying to reapply it to the back of the tank after 12 months with no working space.

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