How did you SKIN/Paint your tank stand/canopy
- Thread starter xaflatoonx
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marvelousone
Well-Known Member
This is the one I built for my 180 .
Thank you, it's just a matter of practice really, been doing this about 30 years, most anyone can do it w/ enough practice and decent tools and materials
OP
OP
xaflatoonx
Valuable Member
Absolutely amazing work man. Thank you so much for sharing it with us.
Other reefers - please continue to chime in. I am sure people like me who will look up this thread will be grateful for the ideas.
Other reefers - please continue to chime in. I am sure people like me who will look up this thread will be grateful for the ideas.
OP
OP
xaflatoonx
Valuable Member
@davocean
In your post on May 10th
Second picture
Where you have the doors laying on the floor
Did you paint the doors too? Or those premade?
How do you get that cabinet quality look if done yourself?
Thanks
In your post on May 10th
Second picture
Where you have the doors laying on the floor
Did you paint the doors too? Or those premade?
How do you get that cabinet quality look if done yourself?
Thanks
I think you mean the ones on grass, those I stained myself, but those doors in particular I ordered at my local mill, just because they can make them cheaper than I can buy material probably.
For raised panel doors it's just more efficient, it's what many in the trade do.
I'm a General Contractor, w/ my own focus on carpentry, both rough and finish, rough usually pays the bills, finish work pays the spirit!
alton
Valuable Member
Very nice stands and setups here! The following attachments are from my 300DD build in 2010 showing the use of 3/4" oak hard woods and the strength of it. My first stand I built was 2x6's, I learned you do not need all that weight and support to hold an aquarium.
![300%20full%20tank%20shot4-8-10[2].jpg](https://www.reef2reef.com/data/attachments/772/772421-012508fa242d4108119b7edc765729a5.jpg "300%20full%20tank%20shot4-8-10[2].jpg")
OP
OP
xaflatoonx
Valuable Member
fair enough -
the stain is my main query here - would you be kind to share the process of getting that finish?
or if its a trade secret - by all means ignore this question
the stain is my main query here - would you be kind to share the process of getting that finish?
or if its a trade secret - by all means ignore this question
fair enough -
the stain is my main query here - would you be kind to share the process of getting that finish?
or if its a trade secret - by all means ignore this question
No secrets, whole reason I share this stuff is to help others.
I have a very strict regimen on this to make perfect.
Sand w/ 150 first, then w/ 220
Apply stain, minwax usually, follow directions on that.
Apply 2nd coat pretty much al;ways, sometimes a 3rd if wanting darker.
Roll and or brush clear coat, minwax fast drying polyuerethane pretty much always.
Sand w/ 220, apply 2nd coat, rolled and or brushed (Not in direct sun, shade gives time for it to smooth out on it's own)
Sand w/ 320 and or a fine scotch brite pad, wipe clean w/ tack cloth.
The last step is important, clean area, usually first thing in am before winds and while still cool, and usually under a plastic tarp'd off area to keep dust off, tack cloth again, and SPRAY the last/3rd clear coat (It comes in spray cans too) , and that almost always gives a perfect or near perfect smooth glassy finish.
And no matter what, if it does not come out perfect, or you biffed it, just sand w/ 320 and do last step again, it's pretty forgiving like that.
Squeaky McMurdo
Active Member
Subbing because although my husband says he wants to skin my stand in tongue and groove, it will probably take him another year to do it unless I try to do something myself. Lol
OP
OP
xaflatoonx
Valuable Member
Excellent stuff - thanks so much man...
2 to 3 coats of stain, and 3 coats of polyurethane... wow...
2 to 3 coats of stain, and 3 coats of polyurethane... wow...
pluikens
Valuable Member
I looked through some of your other work pics and I see that you do some great work! Would you mind explaining your corners a little bit? What do they look like on the inside? Are they mitered at the corners? If these are super simple cabinet building questions, feel free to just direct me to a reference I should read before asking these questions.Being a carpenter I've built a lot of stands for myself and others.
Basically I do the same thing, build a frame just to get the tank up and running/cycling, and then do the pretty part, so my skins work on wood frames or metal frames, they are all basically a U shape that is free standing, slides right over frame, or can even be pulled away if needed.
Once they are up against frame I don't really think you can tell it's not attached, especially once doors and ledge are on.
This can be done w/ either 1x face frame, or a solid sheet of ply, birch is pretty much my go to.
I avoid MDF when I can and don't like it for marine applications personally.
I looked through some of your other work pics and I see that you do some great work! Would you mind explaining your corners a little bit? What do they look like on the inside? Are they mitered at the corners? If these are super simple cabinet building questions, feel free to just direct me to a reference I should read before asking these questions.
Thank you, most everything I posted on this thread has mitered corners, w/ the exception of the one that has chair rail tied into the wall and no doors on face(Backwall garage access for gear/sump) and that one I posted as an example for those that might not be able to do mitered corners, it has quarter round for corners instead.
It's also a nice way to stretch an 8' sheet of ply to be able to wrap an 8" long tank as it bumps 3/4" each side so you can do the return walls and keep at tanks perimeter
Heezie
Community Member
Did you ever get a skin done? I’m deciding on which finish, now. Please post pics
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