convert oak trim tank to black trim?

weldon

AC Members
Jan 7, 2006
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Is there an easy way to "convert" an oak trim tank to black trim? The plastic trim is black on the bottom of the tank and just has the oak look around the outside of the top trim.

Can this peel off? Can I replace the entire piece of trim? Should I just run some electrical tape over the oak piece?

I'm afraid to go at it and leave it looking ragged and horrible. Any tips?
 
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The more I think about it, this wouldn't be a bad solution. Just mask off the areas well. Maybe someone else has an easy fix.
 
I'm a big fan of spray paint...provided the tank is empty when you do it. :)
 
Could be worth a try. It'll take some time to mask carefully before I start spraying though.

I picked up a decent stand with the used tank I found on Craiglist and my wife and I are going to refinish it in antique black with red burnishing. I wanted to get the tank trim to match with the stand a little better.
 
I spray painted my tank trim black with a semi-satin and it looks great! Definately be careful when masking though. I did all the masking and painting in one day. The masking really only took about 15-20 minutes. I just used blue painters tape and newsprint. Then I would periodically come along and give it a coat of paint throughout the day...about 5 coats in all and I have a ton of paint left from one can. It was easy!
 
I would try Krylon Fusion spray paint (made to bond to plastic)... I havent painted tank trim with it but I am sure it would do well as I have used it on other kinds of plastic with great results
 
I agree, Krylon fusion would definately work well. I didn't use it but I roughed up the trim with some 200 grit sand paper first and it still looks new. Its been about 4 months now.
 
Krylon Fusion is for plastic, right? Does anyone know if different finishes are available?

Maybe I'll try spary paint on the back side and see how it goes. There is oak trim on the bottom and the top, but it's clearly on the outside face only. I can't quite tell if it's a sticker or some other treatment to the plastic trim face.

I'll try some fine grit sandpaper on it first too, to see if that helps with bonding the spray paint to the trim.

Thanks for all the tips.
 
Fusion comes in different finishes .... I would use satin finish if it were me...not too shiny yet wont be flat looking either.
 
Make sure you rough the surface slightly with steel wool before you start painting. If you use a fine grade, it will leave a smooth looking surface to paint and if my memory is correct, will leave a surface that is already black although it may be slightly dulled by the abrasion.
 
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