Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This is a paint that can be applied on wood cage interiors. Water-resistant and non-toxic, formulated specifically for reptile and small animal use.

I believe LST Exotics has it. Anyone tried it?
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Mark

No, I'd like to see some specs on it. I've looked but not found anything.

I believe the can says flamable so I'm guessing when they say non-toxic they mean non-toxic once cured. Understand that all finishes can make that claim, in fact the US government requires it.

Also, the price listed makes it much more expensive than 100% marine epoxy resin. I can guy West Systems and the most expensive hardener for less than that.

Don't get me wrong, this product may be good but I just can't see paying over $30 per quart for a non-catalyzed product.
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Currently keeping:

6.10 Gonyosoma oxycephalum (Javan, mixed colors)

1.1 Philodryas baroni

1.1 Lampropeltis triangulum multistriata

1.0 Rhodesian Ridgeback

Chris,
On the topic of epoxy resin; how does it perform when heat is introduced? I have read on their site that they discourage the resting of hot beverages on a surface covered in their product. I was contemplating using a router to cut a grove in the shelf of my rack for my flexwatt tape and then pouring in the epoxy resin. After reading the heat comments on their site I have now become puzzled. Would Repti-Shield be a better option when heat is involved?

Matt

I don't even know the basic formulation of ReptiShield so it's really hard for me to say.

What is it you're trying to do exactly? Are you trying to embed flexwatt in a layer of something?
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Currently keeping:

6.10 Gonyosoma oxycephalum (Javan, mixed colors)

1.1 Philodryas baroni

1.1 Lampropeltis triangulum multistriata

1.0 Rhodesian Ridgeback

That is correct. Rather than having the flexwatt directly on the surface of each shelf I had planned to route a groove of about 1/8" to recess the tape into each shelf. I could simply leave the tape exposed in that manner, but I have contemplated pouring epoxy resin into the groove and embedding the tape. Have any experience or heard of any experiences doing this?

I have not heard of anyone doing this. Epoxy is a bad choice for a few reasons and you certainly don't want to use Reptishield as I don't believe it's designed to go on that thick.

I think you're better off finding a piece of sheet metal or aluminum that you can lay over the flexwatt and that comes up flush with the surface of the shelf.

If you really want to try something like this you might looking into casting polyester, which can be bought in small amounts at craft stores so you won't be out much. Make sure to get polyester and not epoxy as they are both often on the same shelf.

Avoid automotive polyester resin and polyester autobody filler. The casting resins are designed to be put down in a single thick pour and are a much better choice.

It's not something I would try myself but at least I've heard of heaters being embeded in polyester before. Do some research and set up a long term test before you do your final project.

Or just don't do it and try sheet metal like others have done before you.
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Currently keeping:

6.10 Gonyosoma oxycephalum (Javan, mixed colors)

1.1 Philodryas baroni

1.1 Lampropeltis triangulum multistriata

1.0 Rhodesian Ridgeback

Chris,

Repti-Shield goes on very thin as it is not meant to be it's own surface but rather coat an existing one, so you are correct.

We have thickened it in the past for specialty customers.

Sean

Thanks for the info. For the record, I don't have a need for your product but others have contacted me asking what it is.

Can you provide a basic description of what type of sealer this is?

And what it's limitations are? I assume it's not something that could be used to seal plywood that will hold species with extremely high moisture requirements.
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Currently keeping:

6.10 Gonyosoma oxycephalum (Javan, mixed colors)

1.1 Philodryas baroni

1.1 Lampropeltis triangulum multistriata

1.0 Rhodesian Ridgeback

One quart of Repti-Shield will cover 75 square feet of wood. Repti-Shield is a polyurea based polymer coating. The coating cures via a moisture cure process. This process extracts moisture from the air to catalyze (in this case harden) the chemical reaction. Once cured, the coating is impervious to water and most organic solvents. It takes approximately 36 hours for complete curing. This product will completely seal the surface of wood to prevent moisture from penetrating the wood. I would recommend that you use two coats to ensure that no pinholes are present that would allow water to get into the plywood. The second coat should be applied 30 - 60 minutes after the first coat.

I use Repti-Shield and flexwatt together in my display enclosures and for my racks. The only catch is that you cannot use tape to adhere the Repti-Shield to the wood. I use screws and overlap the flexwatt with a small piece of very thin wood or panel.

This product is also great for finishing off cracks and ends of melamine wood both pre and post install.

I believe you will find that this product will work extremely well to seal any wood from moisture and heat.

If you have any other questions please let me know.

Sean Trotter
LST Exotics, LLC.
PO BOX 2358
Asheboro, NC 27204
Tel: 336.337.9229
sean@lstexotics.com
http://www.lstexotics.com

Thanks for the information. I have read about some of the polyurea products used in the fish industry, I'm glad to see one was developed for use in reptile enclosures.

I also need to ammend what I said in one of my first replies about it costing so much for a single component product. The fact that it's polyurea explains the cost and I would expect good performance. I failed to even consider polyurea when I wrote that.

A local reptile exhibit has two exhibits sealed with a polyurea blend and they are very impressed with it. Granted it's a truck bed liner but it's still polyurea.

Downfall is that nothing sticks to it.
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Currently keeping:

6.10 Gonyosoma oxycephalum (Javan, mixed colors)

1.1 Philodryas baroni

1.1 Lampropeltis triangulum multistriata

1.0 Rhodesian Ridgeback

Hey Matt,

You don't have to embed the flexwatt in anything. If you recess the shelf 1/8 inch, the flexwatt will heat the tub just fine. This is what we've been doing for years.

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Randy and Michelle
Art In Scales
(719) 439-4199
info@artinscales.com

Thank you very much for the information and the picture. That definitely helps me make up my mind. Yours looks really great!

markg, sorry for hijacking your thread!

Matt

Oh hey, hijack away, I always learn something that way.
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Mark

Repti-Shield does not have issues with heat. Repti-Shield was formulated with properties that block heat issues.

Sean

Mark.

Please read my exchanges with LST below. Repti-Shield is a polyurea blend. I had not even considered that it might be polyurea when I mentioned it costing so much for a single-component product.

A local reptile exhibit has two of their exhibits sealed with a polyurea truck bed liner and they have been very impressed with it.
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Currently keeping:

6.10 Gonyosoma oxycephalum (Javan, mixed colors)

1.1 Philodryas baroni

1.1 Lampropeltis triangulum multistriata

1.0 Rhodesian Ridgeback