Specific Epoxy Resin Brand

scalawag · 05-03-04, 12:07 PM

Still banging my head here in New Orleans trying to research and find product to build an enclosure. I've talked to quite a few people at stores about epoxy resins, the ones that can understand what I want, don;'t know of a particular item to use. Does anyone have a specific brand of product that I could use to use on an enclosure, epoxy resin, cures fast , without excessive offgasing. Any help appreciated. Thanks

Linds · 05-03-04, 01:06 PM

I use Epoxal 3:1 available from Niagara Protective Coating, however that doesn't do you much good since they are up in Niagara Falls. If worse came to worse I suppose you could order it, but hopefully you will find something locally instead. My best advice is to go to a place that deals specifically in protective coatings, they will know all the products they sell inside and out and be able to give you the best one to suit your needs

McCarthy Boas · 05-03-04, 01:14 PM

I use Envirotex Lite it is a clear, two part epoxy finish that I use on the floors of all my cages.
Here is the link for more info on it. http://www.eti-usa.com/consum/envtex/envlite.htm
I seal the whole cage inside and outside first with the Minwax Helmsman Spar Urethane
3 to 4 coats of this. Here is the link for the Helmsman. http://www.minwax.com/products/protective/helmsman.cfm
Then after it has dried I coat the inside bottom of the cage with Envirotex. (The clear, high build epoxy finish).
I let it cure for 2 weeks or more before I use it for any of my boas.
After it is cured I turn the heat mat and the CHE on and close the cage up.
I then let it sit for 24 hours. After the 24 hours are up open the cage up and if it smell
at all I just let it cure a few more days. Once the smell is gone it is ok to use for your reptiles.

It cost about $20.00 (US) for 32oz.
I use two 32oz. bottles for my 6'x2'x2' cages.
Hope this helps you out.

Take care,
Tom

scalawag · 05-03-04, 01:16 PM

Thanks Linds, I just talked to MAS Epoxies company tech support, extremely helpful.- She had Green Iguanas so she knows what I want. Said the MAS is good, no offgasing because there are no solids in it and can be re-coated when tacky and finishes in 3-5 days. Just don't want UV lights because that could cause problems. But I'm just using fleurescnet which is ok.

scalawag · 05-03-04, 01:25 PM

Tom, I was at a paint store earlier and was looking at the Envirotex Lite. More research, ahhhhhhh

McCarthy Boas · 05-03-04, 01:33 PM

I have been using Envirotex Lite in my cages for over 5 years now and I have not had one problem with it.

Take care,
Tom

Icefire · 05-03-04, 01:46 PM

I used something like that "Envirotex Lite " stuff before
just another brand...
you should email that compagny, because those stuff really Offgas
toxic vapor like h*ll when not cured...
I was using it for playpad, so it was only shoes on it.
so I don't know if this is good once cured...

Jeff Hathaway · 05-04-04, 08:42 PM

I use System 3 epoxy resin and hardener, with a 2:1 ratio. Yes, it offgases like h*ll when curing- they all do. And it is still MUCH better than any of the polyester resins- no respirators required! Once cured, it is food grade, as are most epoxy products, I believe.

Jeff Hathaway
Sciensational Sssnakes!!

FoShizzleDizzle · 05-04-04, 11:27 PM

I'm totally with Jeff. I used the MAS epoxy myself and really liked the results.

scalawag · 05-06-04, 12:33 PM

Thanks for the replies. Due to a $607 front end suspension work on my car, I had to take the cheap way out, and heavier. I'm using the 3/4 " melamine. But I am going to go with Birch for my Lucy Texas Rat enclosure in the next month. Thanks again. Pic's when avail!!!

latazyo · 05-06-04, 01:14 PM

must have a volkswagen

crocdoc · 05-16-04, 02:59 AM

I've just noticed this thread (sorry for resurrecting it!) and thought I'd throw my 2 cents worth in.

I use West Systems epoxy. I think the ratio is 1:4 (?) but I use the handy dispenser attachments on the containers to squirt it out at the right proportions. Cures overnight, not much offgassing (smells vaguely nutty, nothing like polyester) and is tough as nails after a day or two. It's available at boat building places both here in Australia and in Canada, so I imagine it's available in the US. My brother built a cedar strip canoe and coated it with this stuff and it is still waterproof 16 years later. I've used it on monitor enclosures (I add woven glass fibres to toughen it) and it's claw and water proof.

JRQ · 05-27-04, 04:40 PM

hey guys, also since there is the possiblity of clawing and sratching the liner, herculiner is awesome, its used a truck bedliner. This stuff wont chip at all. My dad and I put some on his 88 4x4 Truck and it is awesome, plus got a new squeecky clean look too. Oh this stuff is potable so its all good.