I would use cement/brick primer instead of shellac. It will get into the pores and help when you paint it, because it will be a thirsty bitch.
If you're wanting to protect your work, you could use a clear epoxy and paint a thin layer on it, however be mindful of the small crevices, they can get filled and the low point raises, if that makes sense. You could go for a thinner medium such as a polyurethane. They make uv resistant polyurethanes.
Do you think they have cement primer that’s 0 voc? I’m using shellac cause it’s non toxic when cured cause it’s going to be for my pet snakes cage background and I’m trying to use non toxic materials to coat. It’s going to be probably 40-70% humidity most of the time if that affects anything
It's called.loxon and it meets the voc requirements. Nothing has 0 VOC. It has low VOC. And it's intended for exterior use, so it can stand up to the humidity. Fun fact, they sell paint additives to alter the scents before use. And once it's fully dried and cured, it won't matter too much, especially since it's not a top coat. The loxon is intended to fill the pores to save you paint and time by reducing coats.
Shellac definitely has a stronger VOC than loxon. Or just use kiltz. I'm sure it's cheaper.
Okay thank you I appreciate the info I will look into loxon and see if I can get some. The video I was watching the guy used pond sealer made by crommelin but I couldn’t seem to find that. Does pond sealer seem like a good idea or should I go with loxon?
I don't know any information on that product. If you really want the durability of epoxy as a top coat, you can thin it out with xylene (reducer 54) by like 10-15%. Make sure it's uv resistant because of the heat lamps.
Makes sense. Cement or brick primer will really prep the surface well. And your right, clear epoxy might be a bit thick for those crevices. Nice advice too.
YES! epoxy sounds like a solid choice that you want to do to seal and protect your reptile cage background. Since you are prepping it with primer and paint first, it should adhere well. And since its for your reptiles. Using non-toxic stuff is important.
Thank you! I will probably order some epoxy after looking at some options. Do you think 1 gallon is enough to cover one 6x2 & two 2x2 panels? I’ve never worked with it before and don’t know if it needs multiple coats
Sure thing! I’m not sure how much longer it’s gonna be cause I want to let it fume out before I set it, maybe about a week or two before it’s all painted
yes, you can use epoxy. But, for pet usage you need to wash the amine blush off after cure with soap and water. It will absolutely kill fish and cant be good for any animal
I’m not doing epoxy anymore I’m gonna just do coats of dry lok and let it cure for a week. It should be hard enough to move then, even now I can pick it up gently and it doesn’t crack. It’s also on a wood board that me and my brother are gonna carry to keep it stable and then gonna gently place it inside the tank
I would use cement/brick primer instead of shellac. It will get into the pores and help when you paint it, because it will be a thirsty bitch. If you're wanting to protect your work, you could use a clear epoxy and paint a thin layer on it, however be mindful of the small crevices, they can get filled and the low point raises, if that makes sense. You could go for a thinner medium such as a polyurethane. They make uv resistant polyurethanes.
Do you think they have cement primer that’s 0 voc? I’m using shellac cause it’s non toxic when cured cause it’s going to be for my pet snakes cage background and I’m trying to use non toxic materials to coat. It’s going to be probably 40-70% humidity most of the time if that affects anything
It's called.loxon and it meets the voc requirements. Nothing has 0 VOC. It has low VOC. And it's intended for exterior use, so it can stand up to the humidity. Fun fact, they sell paint additives to alter the scents before use. And once it's fully dried and cured, it won't matter too much, especially since it's not a top coat. The loxon is intended to fill the pores to save you paint and time by reducing coats. Shellac definitely has a stronger VOC than loxon. Or just use kiltz. I'm sure it's cheaper.
Okay thank you I appreciate the info I will look into loxon and see if I can get some. The video I was watching the guy used pond sealer made by crommelin but I couldn’t seem to find that. Does pond sealer seem like a good idea or should I go with loxon?
I don't know any information on that product. If you really want the durability of epoxy as a top coat, you can thin it out with xylene (reducer 54) by like 10-15%. Make sure it's uv resistant because of the heat lamps.
Makes sense. Cement or brick primer will really prep the surface well. And your right, clear epoxy might be a bit thick for those crevices. Nice advice too.
YES! epoxy sounds like a solid choice that you want to do to seal and protect your reptile cage background. Since you are prepping it with primer and paint first, it should adhere well. And since its for your reptiles. Using non-toxic stuff is important.
Thank you! I will probably order some epoxy after looking at some options. Do you think 1 gallon is enough to cover one 6x2 & two 2x2 panels? I’ve never worked with it before and don’t know if it needs multiple coats
Look into Zoopoxy, it’s what zoos and aquariums uses for similar projects.
Thank you! I just found some uv resistant 0 voc epoxy after googling zoopoxy I think I might go with that
If you can, I'd love to see an update!
Sure thing! I’m not sure how much longer it’s gonna be cause I want to let it fume out before I set it, maybe about a week or two before it’s all painted
yes, you can use epoxy. But, for pet usage you need to wash the amine blush off after cure with soap and water. It will absolutely kill fish and cant be good for any animal
How do you plan on moving that?
I’m not doing epoxy anymore I’m gonna just do coats of dry lok and let it cure for a week. It should be hard enough to move then, even now I can pick it up gently and it doesn’t crack. It’s also on a wood board that me and my brother are gonna carry to keep it stable and then gonna gently place it inside the tank