Waterproofing wooden enclosures

[ChristinaM]

I don't have enough time to use polyurethene (sp) because m' new snakie will be here on Friday.

So I'm trying to find away to make a wooden enclosure water-resistant/water proof....

idea's?

[EXXXtacy2000]

use epoxy... just do a few coats in the inside and wait a few more days for it to cure and it'll be good for years...

[Big Mike]

Get a rubbermaid to house your snake. It takes days, more likely weeks for sealants to dry enough to be safe for animals. This is not something that you want to rush. Putting a small animal into an enclosed space with fresh sealant would be fatal. Make very sure that it is completely dry and is not off gassing before you put your snake into your wood enclosure.

Rubbermaid containers are the most handy things and they are very inexpensive. You will need a supplementary enclosure anyway, for when you clean out your main enclosure.

[morph]

Ditto Big Mike, put it in a rubbermaid till it's permanent enclosure is fully ready and cured.

Scott

[Linds]

I agree with the above advice. As far as I know, there isn't any overnight waterproofing technique. Epoxy is the best for waterproofing. The kind I use takes 5 days to be fully cured (3 before it can be filled with water). Epoxies will waterproof an enclosure. Urethanes will not. They will provide a degree of resistance to moisture, depending on what kind you use. These take much longer to set and air out enough to put a reptile in (several weeks for oilbased). A temp enclosure is really your only option unless you just decide against sealing it.

[Icefire]

Linds, what is the sort of epoxy paint you got?
I haven't see them in Montreal yet so a brand and the model would help very much please

[ducktx]

Anybody interested in waterproof epoxies should check out their local marine/boating supplie resource. Marine epoxy boat paints are waterproof & can be ordered in a variety of colors.

good luck!

[ChristinaM]

I ended up going with : Varathane Colours in Plastic, plastic enamel. :)

and the snake is in a temp enclosure for a while, this stuff reeks.

[EXXXtacy2000]

Here are a few companies who make epoxy; Interlux Epiglass, West System, MAS Epoxies.... I listed them from Ok to best.. Hoped that helped, Good luck.

[Linds]

Originally posted by Icefire
Linds, what is the sort of epoxy paint you got?
I haven't see them in Montreal yet so a brand and the model would help very much please

The epoxy resin I use is available from Niagara Protective Coatings for $55/gallon. It is called Epoxal 3:1. Your best bet is to look in the phone book for any place that specializes in protective coatings. They will be able to supply you witha product. Epoxies generallly aren't available from hardware stores, etc.

Originally posted by Bichiraddict
I ended up going with : Varathane Colours in Plastic, plastic enamel. :)

and the snake is in a temp enclosure for a while, this stuff reeks.

It will continue to stink for a loooong time. I believe it can offgas for several years. I know a few people on here, Jeff included, tried it and ended up going over it with other finishes trying to seal it in, and the stuff still came through.