Reptile & Amphibian Forums

In my search for something to make finishing the inside my plywood python cage easier, I came accross a product today at Lowes. Its made by Underdeck.com and. It comes in 40'x2' rolls of off-white Vinyl sheeting (labeled flashing). Just looks like a huge roll of plastic that seems herp safe and is easy enough to cut. I can razor it to fit, glue it down with something (???) and caulk edges for a water proof seal. Its $39 for a roll of 40'. I am making multiple 6'x2'x2' cages and this may just fit the bill....

Has anyone else tried this stuff yet??? Is it safe?

Vinyl Flashing (second product down)

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Reptile-Pit.com

1.1 Woma Pythons
2.1 Olive Pythons
1.1 Granite Burmese Pythons
1.0 Indian Python
1.1 Eastern Indigos (waiting for hatchlings)
0.1 Ball Python (donation / rehab snake)

I incorrectly posted the link last time. Here is the right one this time

TT
Vinyl Flashing (second product down)

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Reptile-Pit.com

1.1 Woma Pythons
2.1 Olive Pythons
1.1 Granite Burmese Pythons
1.0 Indian Python
1.1 Eastern Indigos (waiting for hatchlings)
0.1 Ball Python (donation / rehab snake)

A strange suggestion... try "smelling" the vinyl sheet. Since this is a flashing product it may have stablizers against UV and other environmental conditions. These may give off a "toxic" smell. They could also take a very long time to offgas.

However, the lack of an odor does not mean the product is safe.

My question is about something I read on your website. I believe you used an acrylic latex paint product on one of your cages. How has that held up?

If the product is fairly durable you could use that on the walls and ceiling and then a plastic type product on the floor. If you don't trust the vinyl flashing there is always expanded PVC, FRP board, etc. The PVCX will be especially good in conjunction with under tank heating products.

Back to the paint, a friend of mine is curator at Black Hills Reptile Gardens. They have switched to latex paints exclusively for their snake cages. They are pretty happy with the durability. I believe they have to repaint the high-humidity cages every season but some of the moderate humidity cages are holding up for 2 or 3 seasons.

Yeah, good call. It may very well be treated for UV exposure. Thanks for the heads up! Your comments are always helpful...

I may just stick with caulking the edges and using old fashioned Arylic Latex paint. Its glossy and holds up extremely well. Now I only keep Olives in it and they are relatively clean and don't tip water bowls often. Other than that it seems to work and cures fast. Plus it will save me some $$$

TT

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Reptile-Pit.com

1.1 Woma Pythons
2.1 Olive Pythons
1.1 Granite Burmese Pythons
1.0 Indian Python
1.1 Eastern Indigos (waiting for hatchlings)
0.1 Ball Python (donation / rehab snake)

I agree with Chris. If you want a plastic bottom, go with Expanded PVC. This is what Boaphile and Moonstruck cages are made from. You can get 0.1" thick sheets from any sign shop or from plastic supply companies. It cuts easily and is safe.

I've done the plastic bottom thing, and it works, but if any of the seals around the edges are compromised, moisture can get under. That's why I do the following now:

1) Buy plastic cages, or
2) If using wood cages, just paint them. On the inside floor and about 4" up the walls, I used gloss acrylic latex. It is very tough and easy to repair or repaint when needed. The rest of the inside I just used satin finish paint.

Also, on one cage I bought some epoxy putty i.e. Bondo and molded it along all the seams inside the cage. This eliminated the crevices where moisture can get in, and the stuff is paintable. Much more work than silicon but you end up with rounded corners. The problem with silicon is that it can lift when you're trying to get stuck snake poop out of the corner of the cage.
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Mark

I like that Bondo idea. I have never liked silicone in the corners. I've used it, but never felt it was ideal.

What species have you used the acrylic latex paint for? How long has it held up?

Thanks for any input.

It is a boa. The paint holds up fairly well, but as you know it must be touched-up as needed. The boa cage isn't real humid but moreso than say for a kingsnake. Boas pass ALOT of liquid when they go.
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Mark