Sealing A Vivarium? quick!

[striko_69]

Hey
I am deciding what to use to seal my vivarium for my bp, and have considered using two coats primer, and one coat gloss paint.
Is this suitable, what is more effective?
I do not want to use epoxy for the risk of toxins and all that crap, i am however openminded to anything that wont potentially harm my animal!
thanks in advance
alex

[Icefire]

epoxy is actualy safer than gloss paint/primer
the best thing is to look at a paint that can be in touch with food
those would be the safest.

[Invictus]

Icefire is right, epoxy cures to a plastic finish - you can literally eat off of it. Gloss paint is laytex-based, and can produce fumes for years afterward. I would strongly recommend you avoid it.

Melamine paint is an alernative which I've heard works well. Though also Laytex-based, it cures much more solidly and with no fumes. But really, the epoxy is your absolute best bet if you can afford it.

[striko_69]

Oh i didnt know that, cheers guys.
So how long does epoxy usually take to cure?

[EXXXtacy2000]

Curing times have a lot of variables... Temps and what kinda resin you are using slow, medium, fast, etc. I use the MAS epoxies. After mixing resin and slow hardener, you have 30 minutes to get it out of the cup and approximately 4 hours of open working time at 70 degress F. It's blush free, you can recoat within 36 hours without washing/sandingthe surface. Smooth finishes. excellent barrier coating. cures in high humidity, recommended for large surface coating and lamination. Surface cures blush free, eliminating the need for time consuming wash downs. Blendalbe with fast or medium hardener for customized working and curing times. Mix with appropriate MAS resins in a 2 part resin to 1 part hardener. But back to the question, with the slow hardener at 77 degress F you have a pot live of 23 minutes, thin film sets in 5 hours, and is fully cured in 5 days... Her is their web site. check it out..
Epoxy Boat Marine Epoxy Fiberglass Resins Hardeners Glues Adhesives MAS Epoxies Boatbuilding and Repairs Phoenix Resins

[EXXXtacy2000]

Guess the web site didn't go up. it's www. MASepoxies.com

[EXXXtacy2000]

Correction, it's not resin, it's the hardener that comes in slow, medium, and fast.

[striko_69]

So where can i order some of this stuff from?
I live in england

[EXXXtacy2000]

EUROPEAN SUPPLIERS

CHINAWIND YACHTS
Old Workshop
Barrs Lane, Bennington, Boston Lincs. England Pe220ed
TEL: 011 44 1205 760 662
Email: Peterjchinawind@aol.com

[EXXXtacy2000]

I haven't been to England, so... This is the only place I could find. Hope that helps you out... Good luck.

[Greg West]

Another product that seems to work well is Marine Enamel. With a couple of coats, it has a hard finish that stands up well to abuse. It offgasses a fair bit as wekk so you will need to give it some time to air out.

Greg West.

Epoxy would most likely be the best finish to use, but a lot of work from what I have been told.

[Linds]

Originally posted by Greg West
Epoxy would most likely be the best finish to use, but a lot of work from what I have been told.

I actually find it quite easy to work with. It is extremely versatile and easy to apply. I prefer to work with it over house paints and urethanes.