Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What type of coating is recommended for ¾” plywood, that needs to be high humidity, splash proof and semi resistant to monitor claws?

FRP board, around $20 for a 4'x8' sheet.

The hardest paint on/spread on coating would probably be an epoxy coating.
The epoxy is available at many marinas. I buy mine from West Marine.
Even if using FRP...you'd still need to seal the wod against moisture.
In that case, polyurethane would work just fine.
Serves two purposes...to seal against moisture, and keeps the bare wood from absorbing the adhesive compounds.

Hi Burmaboy

>>I buy mine from West Marine.

I've heard a lot of good things about this epoxy over on the monitor forum. How have you found it to work with compared to other epoxies. I've heard the self-leveling properties are very good and that the fumes are much more tolerable than other epoxies. Have you found this to be the case?

Also, how clear is the finish once fully cured?
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Current snakes:

1.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)

3.4 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)

2.1 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)

I have only used this in a marine application. And being as such was used in hot weather.
It spread well..leveled way, and stayed clear.
I used it for decking repairs.As far as standing up to a monitors nails I can say for sure as I usually cover the areas with carpet. But it holds up to my mistakes rather well.
Tool mistakes that is. Dropping screwdrivers etc.
I found it priced well too. I believe the last time I bought it, it was around $50 a gal, or for the kit...though I could be wrong.
It has been a while...I have also used the fiberglass resins. So that might be where I'm a little fuzzy on the kit, price etc thing.
I have seen others use the stuff to preserve marine relics, such as old ship's wheels, etc...and it works rather well.
And I have seen others use it for a coating on their bars.
I really do like the finish in that application. I guess if its clear and level enough for furniture, it would be more than perfect for a cage floor.
Actually I had considered using either the fiberglass resin, or epoxy for my cage floor. But when you cant walk through your work area, and the weather is turning cold...
You order a pre built cage.
I'm not sure if all my ramblings answered your questions.
I do need to stop at West Marine later today, I will check prices there.

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=10001&productId=34648

Chris I remember this being the one I have used.
In other applications I used fiberglass resins.
Both pretty much accomplish the same thing...the epoxy is clearer

Hey guys Burma reading your post made me think of something i have used alot of but not in about a yr since closing my company.

I use to use a product that was from HomeDepot made by Behr it was called Build 50.This was a two part mixture andcame in quart cans you mix them together and it goes on self leveling and can also be heated with a hair dryer to make it flow out even better. This product is made for high traffic use applications on Bartops and table tops etc.I used on several Bartops in Bars. It goes on thick like a clear molasses and is equal to 50 coats ( give or take ) of polyurathane. it has a very good hardness to it when it is fully cured and will appear by looking into it that you could reach 2 ft deep in it lol .It was also nice because if cigerette burns were in it you could easily use steel wool or sandpaper and remove them because of the thickness it has.Now for persay monitor nails as was mentioned by chris i think this could be a plus possiblybecause you could easily sand to remove them if need and still have a *new* look to the finish. Just thought i would mention it this kit was around $35 or so dollars if i remeber correctly.
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Buisnesses come and go everyday, what keeps you here is how you treated the customer the day before....My Boa Can Kick Your Boas _ss!www.cheapcages.com
Visit the new website while the Jungle gets made over.

Hi Alan,

That Build-50 is one of several products that is identical to the Envirotex Epoxy I so often recommend. One of these days I need to sit down and figure out all the different brands of this epoxy.

I love the stuff, primarily because it is so clear and so easy to work with. It also does not have any toxic solvents - I've used it in a living room and did not have to open a window or anything.

I guess I've upset a couple of people on this forum for recommending it. They've used it and had the cured product become quite cloudy. Turns out the stuff is very senstive to improper mixing, especially mixing ratios.

I spoke to a manager at some national chain restaurant that uses these products on every bar and table top in every restaurant they have. That's probably millions of square feet.

He mentioned that they do have batches that go on poorly and showed me some examples. It really does look horrible.

I don't know why I'm posting this, I guess just for general information. I'm sure you're as analytical and careful as I am when working with products such as this. I'm a bit more tentative to recommend it since a few people have had poor results.

Also, I have never buffed scratches out of this material so I've never specifically recommended it for monitors.

One question for you. Have you ever tried the satin finish you can put on this product?

If anyone is interested, here is that "deep" look that Alan referred to in his post.

Oak cage sealed with Envirotex Epoxy:

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Current snakes:

1.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)

3.4 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)

2.1 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)

Does Home Depot/Behr still carry this tuff?
It seems to be a whole lot easier, and cheaper than other brands.
At $35, I just might go buy some and try it on something...anything.
Awesome finish!

How ever i did some leg work for you.

Ok heres a run down on why more then likely the person chris stated were having issues with it becoming "milky " looking

The original product Behr Build 50 was a kit form made aprrox 3/4 gallon. With this you had two part epoxy to one part hardner mixture and if it wasnt mixed very well that causes the hardner to catalize and become milky/opaque.A common mistake when mixing this was to pour it together and stir it around and think you were done ... WRONG lol it had to be mixed VERY well.

New product:

This is a 1:1 mixture resin to hardner- comes in a one gallon kit
Available at - Village Originals
Phone # 800-899-1314 ask for Kevin
Price $30.00

I just spoke with him on the product and he says it is a much better product then the behr build 50 because theres less room for error in the mixing which was a common mistake on the build 50 when i used the build 50 it was on LARGE areas so i would always mix all 3 parts together and toss the waste less room for wrror in the mic unless you have digital scales to weigh the mixtures out. If you would like to try it give him a call he can fill you in on purchasing it.
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Buisnesses come and go everyday, what keeps you here is how you treated the customer the day before....My Boa Can Kick Your Boas _ss!www.cheapcages.com
Visit the new website while the Jungle gets made over.

I was under the impression the Behr product was mixed 1:1, not 2:1. They must be somewhat different. I was going on someone else's information and not my own research.

When you say the new product is a one gallon kit do you mean half gallon each of epoxy and activator or one gallon each (for a total of two gallons).

If I remember correctly the Envirotex was half gallon each (one gallon total). That was $50 so either way the product you mentioned appears to be a better value.

Thanks for the info.
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Current snakes:

1.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)

3.4 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)

2.1 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)

I was under the impression the Behr product was mixed 1:1, not 2:1. They must be somewhat different. I was going on someone else's information and not my own research.
The product from behr I used had 2 quart cans and a small thing of hardner. The 2:1 ratio was two parts epoxy/resin x one part hardner. Where many people mess up on this and the reasons is the average person would try to mix a smaller amount and this would leave them guessing unless they actuall weigh out the mix

When you say the new product is a one gallon kit do you mean half gallon each of epoxy and activator or one gallon each (for a total of two gallons).
I honestly didnt ask but I would assume it would make one gallon not a gallon of each but again I didnt ask

If I remember correctly the Envirotex was half gallon each (one gallon total). That was $50 so either way the product you mentioned appears to be a better value.
I would agree as the actual cost of this is really no more expensive then many of the lessor grade of urathanes(sp) and more durable.

Thanks for the info

No problem i try to help when i can lol . Here is another product i have used in finishing some cabient work before this is also rather resilient in its use and very durable.EPOXY Kleer Koat #30 here is the link to it http://www.shopmaninc.com/kk121.html
It gives you good basic tipson application process also this is another product that is well worth the cost and i have also used this in a few arboreal type enclosures as it was durable against resisting water spots and all that would sit on the finish
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Buisnesses come and go everyday, what keeps you here is how you treated the customer the day before....My Boa Can Kick Your Boas _ss!www.cheapcages.com
Visit the new website while the Jungle gets made over.

http://www.clarkcraft.com/cgi-supplies/shop.pl?type=topic&topic_name_value=epoxy_resin&cart_id=5e02efa9d950ddc61b7fd616c4a749a0

Ok...so know you guys have me searching for different easy to use epoxy...here's one

http://www.uscomposites.com/kk121.html

This one is intriguing.
I also noticed during my search, that all epoxy finishes run about $50 per gal.

I'm bookmarking this finish, as I think I may want to try it.

Hey burmaboy ,

Thats the one i mentioned above in my post . I have used it before also and it is rather nice stuff im sure you like it ALOT
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Buisnesses come and go everyday, what keeps you here is how you treated the customer the day before....My Boa Can Kick Your Boas _ss!www.cheapcages.com
Visit the new website while the Jungle gets made over.

I'm sure that's the fourth or fifth product I've seen that's identical to Envirotex. Basically the same product marketed under a different name.

Tap Plastics also carries one, although I see they no longer have the gallon kit.

It's pretty easy to find in local paint shops. I buy mine at Menard's, a Home Depot type HIC.

Should save a ton on shipping.

As I've already mentioned, this product is VERY easy to work with compared to other epoxies. Just be careful when mixing.

To take full advantage of the self-leveling properties you need to pour each visible surface on a different day. Otherwise you'd have to brush the product and that does not work well.

That oak cage took four days, for example (one each for the back, bottom, and two sides). The bottom is not exactly visible but it's such a big surface that it was easier to pour it rather than brush it on.

Be very careful with calculating how much to mix and making sure you have the exact amount of each. You also need to make sure each panel you are pouring is perfectly level (I used wood shims).

I can go into all of this in more detail if you like.

One more thing... a one gallon kit is enough to pour the equivalent of a full sheet of plywood.
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Current snakes:

1.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)

3.4 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)

2.1 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)

What is the usually application for FRP, the building supply places here hadn't heard about it. Is it a bathroom, kitchen, utility product?

FRP, aka Fiberglass Reinforced Panel is a wall liner used in commercial bathrooms. You see it a lot of gas stations, cheaper restaurants, etc.

If a HIC does carry it you'll most likely find it with showerboard.
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Current snakes:

1.1 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Silver/Yellow)

3.4 Gonyosoma oxycephala - (Green)

2.1 Gonyosoma janseni - (Black)

neat stuff but make sure to measure correctly and mix thourally to ensure no tackyness tough stuff