removing paint

[Jennie]

I'm seriously considering scraping the paint off my 125.. I will be leaving the fish in the tank while doing so. What is the best way to do this as quickly as possible?:p

[Disgirl]

I just used new razor blades. Quick and easy, just keep using new ones when they get dull. Took me 3 or 4 to scrape my 125.
Barb

[Jennie]

How long did it take and did you use any chemicals

[Disgirl]

Took about 15 min. at most, no chems at all. Just scraped the old paint, then gave the glass a good cleaning with windex. With fish in the tank though, be careful what you clean the glass with! Mine was empty. Get the 2" razor blades, very fast scraping. Good luck

[Jennie]

Thanx, great Idea on the wider blades too. Never would have thought of it..

[wendy9722]

Go to a store that carries paint and you find a handled razor blade. They dont cost much either and will save your fingers too.
Wendy

[ockyra215]

razor blades and some coffee should do the trick !

[Jennie]

LOL, a little JB sounds better!

[ockyra215]

Personal preferences may vary lol id wet the paint a little first let it soak in unless its latex but if you wet it it will loosen it up some JMO and be patient lol!

[William Palumbo]

Yes Jen...wet the paint with some hot water first. Wipe it down good with a hot, wet towel. If done right, the paint will peel off easily...Bill

[Jennie]

Ok Will do! It is latex indoor house paint that was rolled on

[Jhhnn]

These work great, accept standard single edge razor blades-

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=folding+razor+scraper&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=13777239163303929781&ei=o8ExTZ3nHo3ogQerzq3jCw&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CCgQ8wIwAg#

The blade locks back into the handle when not in use, and the handle locks in several positions. Widely available at hardware stores & home centers. Get a 10 pack of blades for future use, or do like I did- get a 100 pack. The price premium is small enough to justify a lifetime supply...

[nc0gnet0]

Do you have a steamer?

[Sea Hag]

Are you removing the paint to repaint a different color? Just curious, and if you are what's the new color going to be??

[Jennie]

Well I did a metallic on another tank so I am considering other metallic colors in Abstract..no steamer so will go with the hot water and scraping

[roundfishross]

it helps me to hold the razor blade in a pair of vice grip pliers other wise my hands cramp up trying to hold the little razor blade to scrape.

[Jennie]

ok papa Leo, now I'm positive I'll get a scraper to put the blade in! :)

[roclement]

doing the same thing at home right now...tough on the carpal tunnel hands! Use the scraper!

Rodrigo

[roundfishross]

I think in the future I may just start painting foam its just so much easier on the indecisive folks.

[Jennie]

Done Deal Rodrigo
doing the same thing at home right now...tough on the carpal tunnel hands! Use the scraper!

Rodrigo

I am actually going to check out the hobby store for paintable poster board or something similar if I can find it in 70 in length. If not I will test my idea on a small poster board first befor painting the tank again!
I think in the future I may just start painting foam its just so much easier on the indecisive folks.

[Jhhnn]

Done Deal Rodrigo

I am actually going to check out the hobby store for paintable poster board or something similar if I can find it in 70 in length. If not I will test my idea on a small poster board first befor painting the tank again!

I use 1/2" foamboard from the home center. The foil covered stuff accepts any kind of paint, while the white styro stuff doesn't do well with spray paint- it melts. You may have issues with your HOB filters, dunno... Art supply places sell foam core 1/4" posterboard, too- might as well get a little insulative value if you can...

[Jennie]

70 in lengths John?

[Eddie]

Yes Jen...wet the paint with some hot water first. Wipe it down good with a hot, wet towel. If done right, the paint will peel off easily...Bill

So much easier using Bill's method. I just let the towel sit on the panel for a while with warm water and it peels off so easy.

[Jennie]

ok I'll try first. save a few bucks on scraper.

[angel eyes]

I've always done razor blades or paint thinner when it comes to pulling paint off aquariums.