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12-19-02, 10:18 AM
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#1
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Former Moderator no longer active
Join Date: Feb-2002
Location: Christchurch
Posts: 10,251
Country: 
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Marine Enamel? Alternatives?
OK, so I'm building a 4x2x2 cage for my little tortoise. Now it's going to have several inches of dirt and plants, etc in the bottom so a few coats of urethane isn't going to cut it. I need to be able to waterproof the entire interior (not only is the bottom going to be full of moist dirt, but it is going to be holding 80% humidity as well). Someone mentioned fibreglass epoxy, but I would like something a little easier to use that I can do myself. I *was* planning on using marine enamel until I heard that the stuff offgasses like CRAZY  Any thoughts on this? Does anyone have any other ideas? I'm at a loss for anything............. 
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12-19-02, 10:24 AM
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#2
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Member
Join Date: Jul-2002
Location: Brampton, Ontario, CANADA
Age: 70
Posts: 478
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Scrounge around for an old waterbed liner. You'll be hard pressed to find any kind of paint that will stand up to the abuse that you are planning on throwing at it. The slightest crack that develops and you'll start running into difficulty. Fibreglass is about the best but as you said very awkward to work with unless you have a warm, outdoor shed to do the lay up in and the time for it to fully cure.
__________________
:eb: Scotty Allen :eb:
"For once you have tasted flight you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skywards, for there you have been and there you will long to return." -- Leonardo Da Vinci
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12-19-02, 10:26 AM
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#3
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Guest
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line the inside with plexi, seal all the edges with aquarium grade silicone(which could also be used to 'glue' the plexi down)
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12-19-02, 11:21 AM
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#4
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Member
Join Date: Jul-2002
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 2,355
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My melamine terrarium has a layer of plastic sheeting at the bottom and about 2 inches up the sides. It is sealed with silicone. I have only had the terrarium for a few months, so I really cannot comment on how durable this method is.
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12-19-02, 11:24 AM
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#5
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Member
Join Date: Jul-2002
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 2,355
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Another method you could try that is relatively easy is to buy those fake floor tiles for the kitchen/cellar that come in a big sheet. Just cut out the size you want and stick it to your cage floor and a little up the sides. You can buy this stuff at Home Depot, and it is relatively inexpensive.
Hope this helps.
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12-19-02, 12:55 PM
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#6
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Member
Join Date: Mar-2002
Location: Saskatoon, SK
Age: 45
Posts: 281
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What about those plastic sheets you can get for lining shower stalls? Line the inside and run a bead of silicon along the corners, and that should do it (<i>probably</i> cheaper, and definitely thinner than most plexi).
Dawn
__________________
various cornsnakes, 0.1 black pine snake, 1.0 uromastyx geyri, etc.
"The only thing worse than a human who had no respect for other animals was a human who assumed all other animals thought and felt just like he did." --Julia Ecklar, "ReGenesis"
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12-20-02, 12:23 AM
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#7
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Former Moderator no longer active
Join Date: Feb-2002
Location: Christchurch
Posts: 10,251
Country:
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I was considering that as well, but I am still at a loss for finishing off the rest of the cage. It's going to have a constant 80% humidity and I'm just worried that regular urethane won't cut it. I can put a liner in the bottom but I sitll have the rest of the cage to contend with. I can't line the entire thing as I have to consider there will be a basking spot in there and I don't want to melt or cause anything to start offgassing all over...........
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12-20-02, 02:19 AM
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#8
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Member
Join Date: Mar-2002
Location: BC
Posts: 9,740
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....
We use food-grade safe paint for all our monitor cages and it works great! Its a one-part enamel and if you paint in the summer or use heat lamps to properly cure it, it doesn't produce residual fumes at all.
Either that, or go for an under-water two-part epoxy. It comes with a catalyst (the 2nd part or "part b") and the catalyst fully cures the paint. Only problem is, its $100 a gallon.
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12-20-02, 02:06 PM
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#9
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Former Moderator no longer active
Join Date: Feb-2002
Location: Christchurch
Posts: 10,251
Country:
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Re: ....
Quote:
Originally posted by Jeff_Favelle
We use food-grade safe paint for all our monitor cages and it works great! Its a one-part enamel and if you paint in the summer or use heat lamps to properly cure it, it doesn't produce residual fumes at all.
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Can you explain? Brand name? Etc? Sounds like my best option...
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12-20-02, 09:47 PM
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#10
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Member
Join Date: Mar-2002
Location: BC
Posts: 9,740
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...
Its at a friend's place. I have to go take pics of our monitor eggs tonight, so I'll find out then. We get it for $21 a gallon (4 litres), but we know the wholesaler.
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12-21-02, 10:22 PM
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#11
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Member
Join Date: Aug-2002
Location: Detroit Area
Age: 46
Posts: 317
Country: 
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what about tiles like for shower walls?
__________________
~~Curently Owned~~
Crested Gecko: 0.0.2
African Fat Tail Gecko: 1.1
Ball Python: 0.0.1
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12-22-02, 03:35 AM
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#12
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Member
Join Date: Dec-2002
Location: Hanover Pa
Age: 44
Posts: 33
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This fiberglass, do you mean just the resin, or do you actually use the fiberglass mat as well???
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12-22-02, 09:45 AM
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#13
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Member
Join Date: Oct-2002
Location: N.W. Indiana ( USA )
Age: 59
Posts: 322
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I use a two part clear, high build epoxy finish on my cage floors.
Here is a link for it.
http://www.eti-usa.com/consum/envtex/envlite.htm
Take care.
Tom
__________________
http://www.mccarthyboas.com
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12-22-02, 05:18 PM
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#14
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Former Moderator no longer active
Join Date: Feb-2002
Location: Christchurch
Posts: 10,251
Country:
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Wow that looks great Tom! Is it easy to work with?
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12-22-02, 08:29 PM
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#15
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Member
Join Date: Oct-2002
Location: N.W. Indiana ( USA )
Age: 59
Posts: 322
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Hi Linds,
Yes it is easy to work. I just mix the two parts in equal amounts. You have to mix it very well, it will have a lot of air bubbles in it.
Just pour it on the floor of your cage. Then I just rock the cage from side to side to help spread it out. I then let it set up for about 15 minutes or so.
Then I use a propane torch to pop the air bubbles in it. Just hold the torch a few inches above the floor and wave it back and forth.
Once you start doing this you will get the hang of it.
Take care,
Tom
__________________
http://www.mccarthyboas.com
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