Sealing Enclosures.

[mettle]

When building enclosures out of wood, a lot of people coat them in whatever type of paint, etc. However, I was wondering if there was a clear liquid that could be used, safely, to seal the wood instead of a specific type of paint. The reason I was is because I wanted to do something interesting and decoartive to the wood inside the enclosure and a clear glaze of sorts to go over top would be more ideal.

Thanks for any help.


Stephan.

[BOAS_N_PYTHONS]

STEPHEN:

You can try poly urathene or 2 part epoxy. Both will work each has its pros and cons and price ranges. Check out your local hardware store ask the same questions and its applications and from there judge best material for your needs and budget.

Hope this helps.

Cya...

Tony

[mettle]

Thanks! Much appreciated.

[Linds]

I use Epoxal 3:1 available from Niagara Protective Coatings. It will provide a tough-as-nails, completely waterproof seal for your enclosures, making them safe from whatever you choose to use underneath. It is used for everything from swimming pools, pharmaceutical facilities, croc enclosures, floors, and snakie cages :) It's easy as pie to work with (provided you use it in a well-ventilated place) and actually works out to be cheaper than even the cheapest urethane at $55/gallon ( I didn't even use one gallon on 6 large enclosures, inside and out) - you don't need to be applying coat after coat, one or two works perfectly. Urethanes won't give you a 100% waterproofed seal, or give you any proteciton from any underlying toxicities. It also has to be re-appled every so often (depending on use), as it wears out with time and use. You have to give it many coats for a decent seal on it as well.

EDIT: Epoxy also comes in clear (as in will not even so much as change the hue of the finish, just make it shinier), whereas urethanes often provide an amber hue to wood finishes.

[mettle]

Wow. Thanks Linds! I'm gonna jot down that info right now and keep it on hand.

[enjpeters]

I used envirotex lite pour on high gloss finish. I painted my wood and mixed the envirotex (2 part resin) poured on the envirotex and 24 hours later a clear waterproof finish. It's a bit messy but after 1 week no fumes in the cage. I paid 20 bucks for the smaller bottles which coated a 5ft x 2ft x 2ft cage. The bigger bottle was 50 bucks I think.