Reptile & Amphibian Forums

along with my posts below about the cages i'm building for my boas, does anyone know of a brand of nontoxic paint i could use for the inside of the cages?
thanks

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1.2 leopard geckos1.0 jungle carpet python
1.1 columbian BCI

Pretty much all paints are safe once cured, but certainly the new breed of high performance acrylics is a good choice. Sherwin Williams has a paint recommended for bathrooms and kitchens that is supposed to be very good, albeit a little pricey.

Get the highest gloss that you can stand looking at. It will be easier to clean.

I have also heard very good things about a paint called "Cabinet Coat". It's also expensive but flows out very well and sticks to most surfaces.

Also, another forum poster bought an industrial floor paint from Sherwin Williams that is said to be safe. Maybe you can find his post and email him and see how it's working.

For waterproofing, it is very hard to beat the combination of cost and performance of the Drylok latex masonry waterproofer. It's a hydraulic cement "paint" that pretty much sticks to anything and truely makes it waterproof. However, it's highly textured due to the cement in the paint, which can be good or bad. I plan to paint my next cages with drylok.
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Current snakes:

0.0.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Java locale (green)

1.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Jave local (green)

2.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Seleyar locale (all black)

1.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Celebes locale (Black & Tan)

i was doing a little digging and found a paint called marine epoxy paint. it drys extremely fast and can stand up to anything. it seems like a brilliant idea but wanted some opinions. thanks
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1.2 leopard geckos1.0 jungle carpet python
1.1 columbian BCI

As far as I know all marine epoxy paints are still solvent based. That does not necessarily rule them out, however, as some of them are still considered safe. But if you were going to go that route I'd rather see you use something that is potable water safe and/or fish safe. You can ask for two part pool paint locally or order Sweetwater epoxy online (use google to find the fish place that sells it).

These are nasty to work with but very durable once cured. Definately get a respirator.

A similar option is the new waterborne epoxy paints designed for garage floors. These are low VOC but the hardener that comes with them has to be handled carefully by itself. Once it's mixed in with the resin it's fairly safe to work with unless you are spraying it.

If you want a clear coat there are two part waterborne wood floor coverings that are basically clear versions of the garage floor paint.

BTW, all of these options are expensive and perhaps a bit overkill, but should make for a long lasting cage.
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Current snakes:

0.0.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Java locale (green)

1.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Jave local (green)

2.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Seleyar locale (all black)

1.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Celebes locale (Black & Tan)

Marine epoxy was used years ago (and maybe still) for huge plywood aquariums with glass fronts. Safe for fishes means probably safe for reptiles.

Just a quick note of clarification... marine epoxies have been used to seal plywood aquaria, but not all marine epoxies are certified as potable water safe, which is what the fish people look for when selecting an epoxy.

Chances are most of them would pass that certification, but still probably best to look for one that is considered safe.

So I would not go out and buy the first marine epoxy product I found. Of course at this point I would not use a marine epoxy for any animal project, even a fish one.
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Current snakes:

0.0.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Java locale (green)

1.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Jave local (green)

2.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Seleyar locale (all black)

1.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Celebes locale (Black & Tan)

check it out. looks great. nontoxic, biodegradable, 24 month wood sealer and waterproofer. a fair price too.

http://www.soyclean.biz/shopping/productsdetail.asp?cat=SS
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1.2 leopard geckos1.0 jungle carpet python
1.1 columbian BCI

That's not the type of product you want. That's a sealer that is designed to get into the pores of the wood to keep the moisture out.

What you want is a film finish that sits on top of the wood.
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Current snakes:

0.0.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Java locale (green)

1.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Jave local (green)

2.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Seleyar locale (all black)

1.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Celebes locale (Black & Tan)

ohh. okay. thanks. i didnt know that. i'm an idiot when it comes to constructing anything. thanks
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1.2 leopard geckos1.0 jungle carpet python
1.1 columbian BCI

The difference can be confusing and many companies seem to take advantage of that when they market a product.
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Current snakes:

0.0.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Java locale (green)

1.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Jave local (green)

2.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Seleyar locale (all black)

1.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Celebes locale (Black & Tan)

i was reading up on Drylok latex masonry waterproofer and it doesnt seem to be made for wood, though i'm guessing it will hold up fine, correct?
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1.2 leopard geckos1.0 jungle carpet python
1.1 columbian BCI

It's not made for wood yet it will stick to pretty much anything, including things regular paint won't stick to.

There are plywood aquaria sealed with drylok that have held water for months, some for over a year now. I think you'll be okay.

I think I've already said it, but I'd use something else for the floor.
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Current snakes:

0.0.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Java locale (green)

1.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Jave local (green)

2.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Seleyar locale (all black)

1.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Celebes locale (Black & Tan)

would you recomend something like linoleum or vinyl tiles and use silicon or culk to seal it, then use that drylok on the sides?
also, why is it not a good idea to use drylok on the bottom?
thanls for your help
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1.2 leopard geckos1.0 jungle carpet python
1.1 columbian BCI

Drylok is very textured which would make it hard to clean. I would drylok the entire cage, including the floor, and then silicone linoleum, Sintra, or FRP over the floor. That way if some water does seep under the floor the drylok will be there to offer some additional protection.
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Current snakes:

0.0.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Java locale (green)

1.2 Gonyosoma oxycephala - Jave local (green)

2.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Seleyar locale (all black)

1.2 Gonyosoma janseni - Celebes locale (Black & Tan)