Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am trying to make an outdoor enclosure for my Bearded Dragon for just a few hours a day during the summer to get some natural sun. I just need to find a reasonable price on mesh. I have found galvanized steel mesh for quite cheap in the size I need. My question is will the galvanization hurt my dragon or other reptile of he licks, bites, or otherwise comes in contact with it? If so, is there any way I can coat the mesh in something to not allow him to get to the galvanization? Thanks.

P.S. If you have any other economical brands of mesh or places to get it that you used to make your outdoor enclosures I would appreciate it.

The process to galvanize mesh leaves a zinc residue on the metal which can be ingested. It is a toxicity problem for pet birds but they would have far more direct mouth contact with the mesh then your BD is likely to have. Scrubbing the mesh with vinegar will remove the zinc but open the cage up to rust down the road. It can be painted with a liquid plastic type paint but galvanized surfaces must be primed first.
This amount of hassle tends to make the ready-made plastic coated mesh appear to be not that expensive after all!