Bad Background

[irishladkm]

Has anyone ever had to take a painted background off their tank?
What would be the best way to remove the paint from the tank?
Thinking of purchasing a used marine tank, with painted background(horrendous powder blue)If you have any advise on how to remove the paint would be helpful.Thanks for your help in advance
Irishladkm

 

[debbers]

If the background is painted on with acrylic paint, it should pretty much peel off. Other than that, I'm not sure...

 

[irishladkm]

I believe it is latex, any suggestions?

 

[debbers]

hmm... I'm not sure about latex. Have you tried to peel any of it off? Is the tank glass or acrylic? If it's glass you can *gently* scrape at it and see if it looks like it will cooperate. Don't try that if the tank is acrylic, though.

 

[ryebread]

I used a razor blade........................several razor blades........they will wear out quickly.

 

[irishladkm]

Well, I have plenty of blades so I guess I got some work ahead of me.

 

[danrw84]

i'll tell you right now the best way...
go to wal mart
pic up a can of CARBERATOR cleaner from the auto dept. .78 cents
spray it on ... wipe it off. it will turn the paint back into a liquid and u can get it off that way. rub it off. we did it on a buddies tank. Try not to get any inside the tank, and be sure to throughly clean it off before use, i suggest soap and really do a good job
by the way, try not to breathe the stuff in, not good for ya.
let me know how it works for you.
dan

 

[pstanley]

Paint thinner won't work with Latex...only oil based paints.

 

[slick]

maybe try paint remover.

 

[hnf2k]

try a towel with rubbing alcohol. alcohol seems to take off anything.

 

[mirdok]

Originally posted by HNF2K
alcohol seems to take off anything.
Including some peoples clothes. . . Err I mean.
I'd agree most of the solvents here would take it off of glass, but i would make sure that you clean if off after doing it. And then clean it again and knowing my eccentricities I'd clean it a third time. No way that I would want any sort of trace chemical in my tank.
But the safest way for the fish would be Rye's. Scrap. . .Scrap. . . Scrap. . .

 

[slick]

The razor blade is most likely going to be your best bet.