Lid very hot! ;)

[MarkW19]

I've just upgraded my lighting, and now my tank lid (black ash type wood) is getting VERY hot on the underside when I take it off.

Is it possible that it could get so hot that some of the paint falls off and into my tank or anything?!? :P

[seaham358]

If it gets very hot there could be a chance of a fire over time IMO. what about a small fan blowing in that area.

[MarkW19]

Got the fan sorted, just not arrived yet

Do you think the paint thing will be an issue?

[seaham358]

I would keep a eye on it if it starts to bubble up then it would be a possible issue. If its paint you would see signs of it coming off before it falls into the tank. And if it does IMO I dont see dried paint being a real issue.

[MarkW19]

Its not bubbling up yet

[Gatorfreak]

My tank was given to me used. Some of the paint inside the hood around the MH lights had bubbled and flaked off by the time I got it. So it's certainly a possibility. As part of my cabinet and hood restoration, I spray painted the inside of the hood with some paint from an auto parts store that is meant for painting exhausts/headers. This paint can withstand very high temperatures. With adequate ventilation (fans) it will stay cool but if you're really worried about it, you could try some of the high-temp paint.

[MarkW19]

So, before anything bad happens, the paint will start bubbling to give me a warning?

[Gatorfreak]

Probably depends on what the hood is made of and how hot the lights get. In this particular case, the paint came off but the hood never caught fire.