staining a canopy to match the stand?

[myjohnson]

So I finally got a canopy for my 75g tank.  However, the tone of the canopy is a rich dark brown/red.  My stand on the other hand has a plan lighter brown stain.

What could I do to match the stain on both the stand and canopy?

[mrairportjunke]

Re: staining a canopy to match the stand?

i think your S.O.L. with stain.  paint it.

[alexarae]

Re: staining a canopy to match the stand?

I'd have to agree...unless you want to strip it, which is a PAIN. I did with my tank and I regret it.
I stripped it, sanded it, stained it a redish color, took some steel wool to it, then painted with a dark stain...it's alot of work.

Paint the thing black!

[myjohnson]

Re: staining a canopy to match the stand?

Man that sucks.  I don't really like painted wood.  Guess I have nothing to lose by trying to match the stain.

Don't have to be perfect....just want it as close as can be.

[myjohnson]

Re: staining a canopy to match the stand?

Would a darker stain make the canopy and stand match more?

[SteveCGG]

Re: staining a canopy to match the stand?

to try for the same color as the canopy use 2 or more coats of stain (the color of the canopy) to darken the stand

[myjohnson]

Re: staining a canopy to match the stand?

yeah that's what I was thinking. The stain one the canopy looks new also.  The stain on my stand is like 10-12 years old.  

What do you guys think I should coat the underside of the canopy with....I don't want any more water damage to the wood.

As of now there is minor water damage to the underside of the canopy cover.

[alexarae]

Re: staining a canopy to match the stand?

maybe if you go for a really dark stain...it'll turn out nice. Sometimes the natural color of the wood under and the stain mix together well.  

[PhishPhreek]

Re: staining a canopy to match the stand?

Get a light redish stain and regular brown one.  Add one coat, let it dry, then compair. .
repeat as necessary. Using the brown or the red depending on how close you are getting
I would do the inside of the canopy with white or chrome to reflect more light into the tank.

[myjohnson]

Re: staining a canopy to match the stand?

Yeah the trim on my tank already has a dark brown look. I'm stain both canopy and stand darker to match the tank trimming.

Do you guys have any suggest on which color and brand of stain I should get?

I'm thinking I'm put a coat of water proof gloss on the underside of the canopy.  What you guys think?

[myjohnson]

Re: staining a canopy to match the stand?

I would do the inside of the canopy with white or chrome to reflect more light into the tank.

I'm not too worried about how much light I'm losing.  The tank is for trophs and they get a lot light as is.  they can't eat all the green algae that grows.  But thanks for the advice.

[PhishPhreek]

Re: staining a canopy to match the stand?

I like Varathane Dark Walnut myself
canopy is plywood (ash) & stand is pine
Takes at least 2 coats to get them close

[eklikewhoa]

Re: staining a canopy to match the stand?

Killz comes in white and is a sealer.

[myjohnson]

Re: staining a canopy to match the stand?

even better than.....i'll look into it.

But first things first.....i got to still try and get the canopy and stand to match.

Its a show tank that is build into the wall so i want to make it looks it's best for people that come over.

[Hanson77]

Re: staining a canopy to match the stand?

Depending on whether or not your stand has a coat of polyeurathane or not, you might not have to strip it.  You are just going to have to get creative with your stain colors to match.  How drastic is the difference?  If there is no polyeurathane, which you can tell because there is water won't bead up on it, you can just keep adding layers.  I would do some testing in an inconspicuous area to see if you can get the color combo close.  But like Phish said, it may take two different shades to make the color that you are looking for.