Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Okay, this has been my project for quite a while now. This is not what it looks like right now, i di this more so that you can see where i started, ontop of all of that is a thick layer or plaster of paris... and now has come the time to seal it all off, and paint it, and i have no idea how to do this.

From my friends on a pond forum, i have been recommended to use Drylock Masonry Waterproofer, 2 coats, to water proof the entire enclosure.

Ontop of this... i am going to use spray paint. In order to add a surface to the drylock i'm going to use a "plastic primer" it comes in a spray can, this should resurface the paint so that i can spray paint.

After adding the spray paint, i'm going to reseal the whole thing with another clear sealer, probably thompsans water sealant, id probably use the stuff that comes in a spray can.

Its actually this final coat that i am worried about. as this is the one that has to be clear and completly free of toxins, and be able to stick to spray paint.

I'm kinda making this all up, and i have no idea if it'll work as well as i am imaging it will. does anyone have any better ideas for sealing plaster of paris and painting it.

First off the enclosure looks good so far, one question wouuld be what will inhabit this enclosure?

Sealer, paint, then a clear coat sounds like a lot of waste to me. Personally I would look in to natural stain for the plaster and use a clear grout sealer over the entire enclosure that should provide everything you need.

>>From my friends on a pond forum, i have been recommended to use Drylock Masonry Waterproofer, 2 coats, to water proof the entire enclosure.

I have used Drylock and it is not what you want for this application. Honestly do you really for see the enclosure actually holding water. Also if you did use drylock you would not need the plastic primer. Why because drylock penatrate the masonry it does not cover it like normal paint. After useing it you end up with the same surface just a different color, it is also waterproof, but thats besides the point. Drylock is pretty expensive as well.

By the way a friend of mine that breeds Darts uses triple expanding foam, "Great Stuff". With no sealant and directly exposed to water. It doesn't break down or realease toxins so if you plan was to seal the plaster to prevent the expanding foam from getting wet it isn't required its pretty tough. Just a note, not questioning your motive just a note.

Honestly I think you should look into grout stain and sealer it would be your best choice. Also applying different types and colors of sand to the surface will add that naturalistic look you are seeking.

This are all just thoughts, I actually havn't worked with any masonry projects before.

Hope I helped a little.
Good Luck
-----
Jeremy

"I am become death, the destroyer of worlds" July 16, 1945 Robert Oppenheimer

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Yes i can and i do expect it to hold water.
Underneath the water fall is where the pool of water will be on the otherside is going to be a nesting site.
I have a chinese water dragon, two actually. My adult is 24inches, and my baby is 12... he's not quite big enough yet to go live with her...
and besides i've already bought the drylock, 20 bucks a gallon.

I'm making a seal to protect from the plaster, not from the foam... you could eat the foam if you wanted to.

Ok, honestly, your best bet when your trying to seal masonry/plaster would be to use a hand pump garden sprayer, some exterior latex paint ( various colors out there to your liking ) and some water. Basically, you want to dilute the paint to a "milk" like consitancy, not totally watered down but still "thick" enough to stick to the surface, as I'm sure you know, masonry/plaster is very porous and will suck up anything you put into contact with it. Throw your color in the garden sprayer, pump it up and spray away, go lightest color first, then use your artistic talents to decide when enough is enough. Using exterior latexs works well because their made to be exposed to outside elements and do contain some sealing properties by itself and it will give you a dulled natural rock looking enclosure. My only concern with spray paint is that some times it comes out looking uniform and giving the project an unrealistic look and it can seal the surface completely, making it very hard to get anything to stick to it after the paint's cured. ( you mentioned sealing after applying color ) On a side note, if you wanted to seal the plaster after coloring it with my method, easiest way is to go get some masonry sealer ( I use the product that Behr has on the market, I used it on my latest concrete waterfall, could post some pics if need be, once the stuff is cured, I cylced the water for 30 days and not once didn't leach anything into the water that wasn't already in the water to begin with, had the water tested... ) Just a thought, sorry this was so long... best of luck to you...