Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Is the thompsons water seal in a spray can ok to use in water sealing my custom wood cages? or is it toxic to my snakes?

Thanks in advance,

SH101

Definitely not recommended, as it really doesn't cure. I wouldn't do it.

You need something that dries (cures) to a non-toxic coating, or if not, is non-toxic in its liquid state, like salad bowl oil. Shellac, waterbourne polyurethane, polyurea, epoxy, paint are examples. Alot depends on the type (moisture level) of substrate and such. Or line the cage bottom with plastic sheet. Others will offer more info.
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Mark

i wouldn't use "salad bowl oil" as it's nothing more than mineral oil....which doesn't seal. use a good poly, with low voc's and paint it on with a brush or sprayer. thin it out with just enough thinner if you spray.

Pitoon
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What is "salad bowl oil"? Olive oil? It wouldn't be toxic, but does it seal wood? If so it is cheaper than what i use.

I think Mark means a Salad Bowl Finish like Behlen's. This is really just a waterborne urethane which happens to be FDA approved. It is marginally different from regular waterborne urethanes you get at the hardware store.

Some wooden salad bowls are just finished with tung oil or mineral oil. Not sure if that's what Mark meant but probably not the best idea for a cage.

To the OP, Thompson's Water Seal is not a good choice for a cage. It's really designed to fill the pores of wood and stay extremely flexible. For a reptile cage you want a film forming finish. Which one you choose depends on the species you keep and the characteristics you're looking for in a finish.

I have used Minwax polycrylic for a few years on several of my large enclosures with good results. It only takes about 24 hours to dry outside in the sun & air, but may take a bit longer indoors.Once it dries it has no smell at all, and I spray right on straight just as it comes. You can get it in quarts or gallons. I use a Wagner HVLP sprayer and it does a great job with stains and poly. I haven't tried to use it with paint yet.
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