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I bought some used neodeshas and I was wondering if there is anything that can lighten the yellowing/discoloring that the neodeshas get? Some kind of cleaning product? Also can neodeshas be drilled into without cracking? I would like to fix some jagged holes into perfectly round holes and then plug them up with a grommet (sp?). Thanks for any help you can offer, Lindsay

Did you get a good deal on them?

I think so I hope so! It was a 6 hour drive one way (12 hours total to get them but we got lost and it ended up being 13 hours). We bought 3 (4'x2'x18" neo custom cages w/ glass doors) plus steel rack for them. We were also given 4 heat pads (3 used 1 brand new), a large rock cave, and 3 flourescent fixtures w/ bulbs. The cages need alot of cleaning and some TLC but I think it was a deal.

Like I said I am trying to figure out if there is a product that can lighten the discoloring some. Also there is a hole in each cage that they used to run cords through. Anyways they arent drilled holes, look more like a knife was shoved through them. I am going to try and round the holes (by drilling) then plug them up with a grommet or something. There are also small holes through the back of the cages were they attached flourescent fixtures on the inside. I would like to fill those holes in with some product? Something that blends in with the neodeshas. Do they make a product I can do that with? Kind of patch them up but look nice? Thank you, Lindsay

The discoloration problems you're seeing is from cleaning products ironically. Several types of plastics react poorly to cleaning products. That is why the original Neodesha company said not to use anything other than soap and water to clean their cages. Bleach, ammonia and quaternary disinfectants can cause some plastics to discolor and even crack.

You could do a search on plastic polishes. You may be able to find something that will buff the plastic enough to reduce the coloration. You'll need to find out exactly what products cause these problems with the old Neodeshas as I cannot recall what they are. Obviously it's not realistic to forgo disinfectants altogether.

Regarding the holes, buy a titanium unibit to bore out the holes. You probably could patch them with a fiberglass autobody kit.

>>Like I said I am trying to figure out if there is a product that can lighten the discoloring some. Also there is a hole in each cage that they used to run cords through. Anyways they arent drilled holes, look more like a knife was shoved through them. I am going to try and round the holes (by drilling) then plug them up with a grommet or something.

>>There are also small holes through the back of the cages were they attached flourescent fixtures on the inside. I would like to fill those holes in with some product? Something that blends in with the neodeshas. Do they make a product I can do that with? Kind of patch them up but look nice?

You should probably talk to someone who knows how to do fibreglass or ABS plastic repair. Motorcycle bodywork often needs this, which is how I know anything about it. Do a Google search for "plastic repair" and you should find something. You might try taping across the bottom of the hole with duct tape. Then, use a two-part epoxy to fill the hole. After it cures, remove the duct tape and sand it flat.

I use the Marine Grade Epoxy from TAP Plastics for motorcycle stuff. They also have tints and dyes that can be used to color the resin (e.g. TAP Premium Opaque Pigments). For a few small holes, you probably don't want to buy a quart of resin, however. My guess would be that the TAP tints could be used with most two-part epoxies, including the double-barrel syringe-type that you can get at an auto-parts store or big box home center. The longer the "open time", the more time you have to mix the correct pigment into the resin...
TAP Plastics

It’s always nice to get new housing, isn’t it? I used to have around 20 Neodesha cages, but I don’t use many of them now. I managed to crack many of the cage bottoms over time, presumably from too-high heat applied underneath (although reading what Chris said about cleaning products, who knows if that many have been a problem, too). The discoloration I experienced came on those cages to which I attached overhead incandescent lights. The result was often big brown areas on the ceilings. So, be careful in your application of heat.

When I first saw a herp cage displayed at a show with holes drilled for the various probes and electrical wires, I thought to myself, “How can I drill holes in my nice new (expensive) cages?” Yeah, well, I got over that attitude in a hurry! Now if I remove, say, a temperature probe from one cage, leaving a hole, I just slap a piece of gaffer’s tape or duct tape over it. Of course, with those gray Vision cages that Tomas and I both like, you can barely see the tape.

I know I didn’t answer any of your questions, but wanted to share some of my experiences. I never bought any of the Neo custom cages specifically, but they seem quite nice. And I believe they have more floor area than the slant front ones. Have fun.

-Joan

Hi Lindsay.

I have a bunch of Neos and I love them. I don't think you'll have much luck with the discoloration, though. If you really want to fill in the holes (I have holes in mine that I just put a piece of white tape over) you might want to call them and ask if they still sell the ABS Plastic caulk that the original Neodesha Plastics used to sell. It came in a squeeze bottle and they used the stuff to attach the screen vents. I had a bottle of it once. It would seal the holes very well; use it just like caulk.

Bill