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could i use heat tape without warping or spliting? i don't think it would split. also could i paint it or would it just soak up the paint.

>>could i use heat tape without warping or spliting? i don't think it would split. also could i paint it or would it just soak up the paint.

I use heat tape with melamine although it is in routed channels it would be similar to particle board. I have never had problems but them most problems with warping are due to humidity which I don't expose to the bare particle core of my melamine. It also warps due to it being thin but I use 3/4" so it is not a problem.

Spliting is a problem with actual wood not particle board, I have seen particle board split but it was due to external forces not heat tape or moisture.

Particle board soaks up paint like sponge so you will want to prim it first. A lot of primer is tintable so if you are useing a dark paint get the primer tinted to match. Your finish will look much better. Often they tint primers one part per gallon of the tint used for actual paint. For example I need one gallon of forest green which requires so many parts then a gallon of primer just needs one part. Your primer will look weird but the finish is good. When I tinted the primer for my forest green it looked like Seafoam green or GE green for those Electrical or Space guys.

Good luck
Jeremy
-----
"I am become death, the destroyer of worlds" July 16, 1945 Robert Oppenheimer

1.1 Hypomelenistic Red Tailed Boas
2.0 Double Het Stripe Albino Red Tailed Boas
0.1 Suriname Red Tailed Boa
0.1 Anerthrystic Red Tailed Boa
1.0 Ball Python
1.1 Rhinoceros Iguana's
1.0 Green Iguana
1.1 Cream Golden Retrieviers
0.3 Catus Terribilis
0.1 Spouse

i was wondering why buy this board and then go to the time and expense to end up with something that's not as durable as melamine??? why not start with melamine??? have fun!

Where can i get large pieces of melamine. and how much more does it cost. I live in orange county california so if someone knows any place local i'd appreciate it.

>>Where can i get large pieces of melamine. and how much more does it cost.

I do not recommend buying it from Home Depot, Lowes, or other big box stores. If you buy it from a local cabinet supply shop or lumber speciality shop you'll get MUCH higher quality melamine.

I recommend 100 or 120 weight thermofused melamine for reptiles (racks, not so important). My guess is that you can get it for less than $35 per sheet. Oh yeah, melamine is overized by 1" which can come in handy for reptile cages. The extra 1" allows you to fit in 4' light fixtures if you require them.

If it's for a high humidity species then you can just use MDF and line the inside with vinyl film. Just depends on what you're trying to accomplish.

it's for a rack so not to much humidity. now i guess i need to find some place local that has it. thanks for the input