Is it possible to paint a tripod?

[DNathan]

I've got silver tripod legs, and I don't like seeing them in my wedding videos. Is it possible to paint them black without creating a mess? I'm very rough with my tripods.

 

[Paul Hudson]

There is a good chance it would cause it to be difficult to move vertically. Maybe powder coating would be better.

 

[Richard Crowley]

I've got silver tripod legs, and I don't like seeing them in my wedding videos. Is it possible to paint them black without creating a mess? I'm very rough with my tripods.

Assuming that "silver" is only the color and the material is actually alunminum.

I would not recommend anything except anodization. Anything you try to apply to the surface (paint, power coating, etc) will tend to bollux up the adjusting and clamping operation (not to mention being subject to cutting and abrasion from rough handling.)

It will mean that you would have to take the tripod apart and take all the aluminum tubes to someplace that does aluminum anodization. Most have a variety of colors (actually liquid dye) which they can apply to the freshly-anozided aluminum. The dye seeps into the surface pores of the metal and becomes part of the surface.

 

[Jordan_S]

This is why duct tape is available in black.

 

[mikkowilson]

This is why duct tape is available in black.

Or more importantly, one of the million reasons why Gaffer's tape exists.

- Mikko

 

[Jordan_S]

Another being a way to set an obscene price for black tape.

 

[Huy Vu]

Tape in general would interfere with the operation of the tripod.

 

[DNathan]

Hehe. Thanks guys.

 

[MadHMC150]

I have the same problem... I have been considering getting the new black version and ebaying the old one...

Unless you take it apart and anodize, no paint will really last long..

 

[Smifis]

Permanent Marker pen?

lol

 

[DNathan]

A Sharpee!!

Here we go! SqeekeeeSkweekeeSkweekee...

 

[MattinSTL]

I have the same problem... I have been considering getting the new black version and ebaying the old one...

That's the only smart solution for turning a silver tripod black.

 

[Smifis]

A Sharpee!!

Here we go! SqeekeeeSkweekeeSkweekee...

You can see it happening...

in all seriousness, its much less hassle to just buy a back legs.

 

[rafikiwilliams]

another vote for black legs. save your self the hassel.

 

[Ron Rodenmeyer]

Sell it and get a black one.

I did see someone tape up a tripod years ago. It was an (already) ancient heavy set of wooden sticks, and the videographer was prepping it for a hunting shoot. He covered the tripod legs with some kind of camo print tape. I know the taping job took a looooong time. He had to do it in small sections and make sure he wasn't impeding the pod's ability to boom up and down.