Changing tank trim color?

[Armando]

Hello DIY experts, i have an Oceanic 75 tank with Oak trim. I would like to change it to cherry. How can this be done without looking bad? Paint over? Which type of paint? I don't know what is the material they use for trim, some sort of plastic I think. TX!

[RobboT]

I painted over oak trim on an all glass tank once. Getting a cherry look might be tough. I used spray paint that gives a hammered finish when it dries. All I did was sand the plastic rim first to help the paint adhere a bit better, primed it then painted like three coats. Just make sure you do a spectacularly good job of covering the glass, if its acrylic this is even more important.

[NateHanson]

I painted my oak trim with the same color that I painted my stand. Latex paint. Two coats.

If you want a cherry trim I could make you some pieces to put real cherry wood over the trim. If it were varnished and attached with a resiliant adhesive like a marine adhesive I think it would work very well. Is there something made of cherry that you're trying to match the tanks to?

Nate

[Armando]

You mean some sort of veneer? that could work. i'd like to match a cherry stand that i have.

[NateHanson]

It could be veneer (very thin) but that might be harder to stick to the trim without distorting. I was thinking of something slightly thicker, like a 1/8-1/4" thick, and shaped to wrap around the plastic trim.

[Armando]

Do you think painting wouldn't work too well?

[wrassefan]

You can prob sand lightly and prime/paint would stick. I would use an oil base primer like kilz and then a latex topcoat or 3.

I just tried a latex stain from minwax that worked real well on my canopy extension. At HD, you have to have the paint guys mix it for you (I used the color Sangria I think it was called). I was trying to match a cherry stand and canopy and the color is real close. I did have to poly it with a water base poly (minwax 3 coats) to protect it but you could probably test it on some scrap acrylic and it will let you get an idea what the tank frames will look like.

[willray]

You can also get paints that dry with a wood grain look .they come in various wood colors

[NateHanson]

Do you think painting wouldn't work too well?

I don't think paint can match wood very well, but I suppose at a distance it could tie things together.

It wouldn't be very expensive to do the wood, and I like wood, so that would be my choice.

Nate

[Armando]

Nate I appreciate your offer to get me the trims. I ended up getting a good deal on a new tank so I'm going this route. But thank you anyway.

[NateHanson]

Certainly an easier solution. And a great excuse for a new tank! Glad you got it figured out.

Nate