Product questions. Safe to use?

[polito]

Hey guys,

Pretty new to the forum so I apologize if this is a topic that is brought up often. My girlfriend and myself are starting to sculpt a number of statues and decor for our enclosures. We plan to just make it for ourselves, maybe if they turn out well we might sell some at local expo's. First want to just make a couple before we even think about that haha.

We both have quite a large amount of experience with cements, resins, foam products, paint, silicone and sealant. We both used to work in the film industry (as special effects artists) and have done a ton of projects using all of these products. This will be our first time applying these skills and product knowledge towards making something for our enclosures.

The items we will be making (statues, hides, backgrounds) will be sculpted in a water based clay, then molded. The exterior shell of the item will be in cement (probably 3-4 layers) and the interior expanding foam. Giving a nice hard shell, durable to claws, and the elements (heat/water etc.) After painting is all done, a sealant will be applied.

I'm currently looking at materials and would be curious to know if anyone with more experience in creating items for enclosures could point me in the right direction. I know most people use tile grout to coat their creations, but what I need must be a liquid so I can pour it into the mold, and splash it around to form coat by coat. I'm looking at using a gypsum cement, which I have lots of experience using. NOT in this type of situation though. I want to make sure what I use is safe. I'm seriously looking at using this product here: Sculpture Supply Canada - Product Detail

It's very strong, high water absorption resistance (which should not matter as it will be covered in paint, then a water proof sealant afterwards).

Sealant wise was thinking of using an acrylic sealant. Much like this one:
Sculpture Supply Canada - Product Detail

Or an alternative if that is not safe, I will use light coats of aquarium safe silicone.

Very sorry as this all might seem like a ton of questions at once. Hope it all makes sense haha. Let me know what you guys think. I would love to hear everyone's opinions as I do NOT want to use something that could possibly do damage!!

[guyabano]

I think whatever you throw in/decide to use to actually build should be fine as long as you seal it with something inert. Goes without saying but, make sure everything's cured nicely and has no discernable odor before use.

Good luck with your projects and please do share when you're done with them!