DIY Home-made "realistic" Hides

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by pythontricker

mines been in the oven for 20 minutes already. 25 more to go!!! I can't wait!!!!!!!

---

YAY! Can't wait to see it! PM if you run into any problems :)

lol its still really hot. Im cooling it now. its been about a half hour since i started cooling it. im so excited.

how long should it take to completely harden?

If it's still slightly soft after cooling, place it in a DRY spot for a couple days to get the remaining moisture out. If it "dents" when you push on it, you made it too thick and it should go back onto the oven on a low temp.

I had that happen to a batch and they turned out fine....there is just a little moisture that needs to dry out. :)

These are so great. I might have to make a few. Thanks for the suggestion, hon.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by OhBalls

If it's still slightly soft after cooling, place it in a DRY spot for a couple days to get the remaining moisture out. If it "dents" when you push on it, you made it too thick and it should go back onto the oven on a low temp.

I had that happen to a batch and they turned out fine....there is just a little moisture that needs to dry out. :)

---

ok its back in the oven again. im kinda mad, it cracked a little while i was moving it. :( oh well it still looks pretty good IMO. Ill have some pics soon.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by pythontricker

ok its back in the oven again. im kinda mad, it cracked a little while i was moving it. :( oh well it still looks pretty good IMO. Ill have some pics soon.

---

Cracks are ok...makes it look more like rock :) It'll look great painted

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by OhBalls

Cracks are ok...makes it look more like rock :) It'll look great painted

---

I was just thinking that. I'm definitely going to do this. Haha. Baking project at the boyfriends house. ^_^

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Melicious

I was just thinking that. I'm definitely going to do this. Haha. Baking project at the boyfriends house. ^_^

---

LOL..better make cookies for the BF too cuz it makes a mess~ :P

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by OhBalls

LOL..better make cookies for the BF too cuz it makes a mess~ :P

---

I made him gingersnaps, raspberry fudge, and REAL eggnog. He doesn't need anymore cookies. ^_^

I just wanted to let you guys know that I'm currently trying this out.

I made the dough and it turned out perfect and I bought the exact same hide that you are using in the pictures and I covered it with oil and I put the dough on it and I have it in the oven now.

I bought the same water proofing paint that you are using but I bought the normal spray paint (It's the Krylon brand).

I'll post pics of it when it's finished if you guys want me to.

I've got a few that I made drying the last coat of waterproofing as we speak. Should be ready today :D I just used some ceramic bowls that were around the kitchen.

ya and i was thinkin if u use ur old hide, that too small, as a mold .. the new one will be a lil bit bigger and u can repeat the process till u end up with the right size.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by GVReptiles

I just wanted to let you guys know that I'm currently trying this out.

I made the dough and it turned out perfect and I bought the exact same hide that you are using in the pictures and I covered it with oil and I put the dough on it and I have it in the oven now.

I bought the same water proofing paint that you are using but I bought the normal spray paint (It's the Krylon brand).

I'll post pics of it when it's finished if you guys want me to.

---

yes, we NEED pics :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mainbutter

I've got a few that I made drying the last coat of waterproofing as we speak. Should be ready today :D I just used some ceramic bowls that were around the kitchen.

---

Awesome! I am SO glad people are getting use of this!

I had fun doing this :)

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...ide2_thumb.jpg

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by llovelace

I had fun doing this :)

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...ide2_thumb.jpg

---

So cute!

***
A word of warning about wax paper; it can go in the oven, but the wax will melt at some point*. I would recommend instead to use (baking) parchment paper, which is coated in silicone and won't melt. Parchment paper is also reusable, so you could use the same piece over and over for your hide production. And if you buy a roll, seriously, bake cookies on it. You'll never not bake on parchment again!

*137F according to the following website.

I made the one big one, and now I'm making a bunch of smaller ones. I can make 3 smalls out of one batch of clay. next I'm going to use a loafpan to make a medium sized one.
I'm building a rack later this week and I plan to have hides in every tub...I love this hide thread...
My Lavoux loves her hide (the first I made) and I'm sure all the future snakes that come in will love the hides they get just as well.

Thank you so much for this idea
:gj::bow:

Pics.....3 small hides being painted.....1 medium rectangle hide, 1medium round hide, and one small hide in the oven:D

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...4915_thumb.jpg

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...4914_thumb.jpg

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...4916_thumb.jpg


The only spraypaint I had was red or gold....I like the candy apple red:P

Hide factory

http://i455.photobucket.com/albums/q...s/100_4950.jpg

http://i455.photobucket.com/albums/q...s/100_4949.jpg

Hello, new to the forums, and BP's in general. (Just got mine on Sunday!)

Anyway, I'll try to ask my question without rambling too much. I just spent a good amount of money, and with my PT job, it left me pretty much broke, I have everything I need, such as heating and junk, but right now I'm just using a small cardboard box and a cleaned out plastic popcorn jar as hides, and want to make my own.

My question is, since we don't have any type of glass or existing hide, is it at all possible to make the mold on a bowl, but take it off before I stick it in the oven? I did read in a previous post that it would be hard to make your own mold from scratch, but I was wondering if it would work to make the mold from a bowl, then take it off, so as not to melt/crack anything we have?

Sorry for the long and possibly confusing question, but thanks in advance!

You can use an existing bowl as a form as long as it isn't plastic or non baking safe glassware, any ceramic type bowl will work, and you can't remove form until after baking. Have fun :)

Opps :welcome:

you can use just about anything that isn't plastic for a mold. I need to get one more coat of color on them and then seal. I messed up the lines on top, it was dark and I didn't study. I'm going to make these for all the baby milks, but they probaby won't last long due to size. :) I used airdry clay I already had.
Left is the mold, right is mine.

https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...f5784small.jpg

The small hides I made used a decorative glass bowl, the larger round ones used a metal mixing bowl, and the rectangle ones used a baking pan.
Any microwave safe non-plastic dish should work.. The oven temp is low enough.


grammie, yours are reall cool, I like them

I tried it and it worked wonderfully!! thanks

I have a question though. I made them the other night and they cooked for an hour and a half. Mine are still kind of soft. Is it not good to use and I should make the next one thinner? It was a lot of fun and easy to make I just think I might have screwed it up! Any help would be great!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by pitbulls4me

I have a question though. I made them the other night and they cooked for an hour and a half. Mine are still kind of soft. Is it not good to use and I should make the next one thinner? It was a lot of fun and easy to make I just think I might have screwed it up! Any help would be great!

---

Just add flour till it's the consistency of play-doh. Be sure you don't spread it too thick. Should work. Good luck!:gj::)

ty!!! :gj: :bow:

i am gonigot give this a shot tomorrow befoer the nascar race so I won't bothe the rest of the house with it.. I going to use all the gaming paints i got as my paint supplie ( it all water based) and then seal it all real good. I aslo figure with out painting or waterproofing these would make good hides for rodents and they can even chew on them lol.. Given the number of rodents i got they not last long. I also think a good mold could/would be a dvd spindle holder if they would not of melted since don't have much height. looksd around room and ponders soem other modld ideals. I wish i stil had all my resit on hand i had a good amount left over but it dried up on me .

can you use this with rocks

I may be the only dissenter... i tried them. Made 3... used one.

Sealed it, did everything.

It cracked, got wet, turned to mush. Really was not comfortable finding my snake sitting in the mess of chemicals and sludge. :(

bruce

also what about great stuff
i had a can explode and it left a huge mound of great stuff, so i decided to make it a hide. so i was wondering if i could use that in the oven

I had the same thing as Bruce, mine got all soggy so we removed them. I do really like them for my bearded dragons. In dry climates they work great, with the dragons they work as a hide or as a basking spot.

made 2 so far and after baking a na hour the outside alright but the inside is still soft some i think between the oil and the fact the were sealed they didn't bake as well I am gonigo t rebake them some tomorrow after I remove the second fro mthe mold. and allow the inside ot bake harder. I will then try one in the cages and see how it holds up to the humidty of my tubs. and if they fail the other will become a asf chew toy ( won't seal it until I see how the other does. and i will go from there. I made one out of scuplty type clay and the nsake loves it lol but i tihnk i made the wall too thin cause itbeen chipping at the bottom a lot ..

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mechnut450

made 2 so far and after baking a na hour the outside alright but the inside is still soft some i think between the oil and the fact the were sealed they didn't bake as well I am gonigo t rebake them some tomorrow after I remove the second fro mthe mold. and allow the inside ot bake harder. I will then try one in the cages and see how it holds up to the humidty of my tubs. and if they fail the other will become a asf chew toy ( won't seal it until I see how the other does. and i will go from there. I made one out of scuplty type clay and the nsake loves it lol but i tihnk i made the wall too thin cause itbeen chipping at the bottom a lot ..

---

um, they are supposed to be sealed AFTER baking :)

I have had these for oh I dont know about a month or so... and I took the hides out tonight to look at them and one was all swollen and smelled bad. I think that is why my snake had always been in his other hide (not too wierd since his other hide is on his warm side and thats where he spends most of his time anyways). I am pretty sure this is my error in not sealing the dough well enough. Just thought I would share...

I tried to make some, they didnt last very long and got mushy even after sealing them. :(

I was sitting here today and heard a loud pop, the tank 5' from me had one of these hides (she really loved it too) and it cracked in 3 pieces. :(

i just put mine into the oven.. i love this idea... thanks.. and my leo bob thanks you too

We are attempting this DIY as well. Definitely cheaper than buying 10 small hides!

About 10 minutes left in the oven!

Ohballs(sorry dont know your real name lol) it has been some time since you first made yours did you have any problems with yours like others have had? thanks I want to try this but not if they are goin to fall apart while my snakes are in them.

That is awesome! I may end up with one of these yet!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by kylesreptiles

Ohballs(sorry dont know your real name lol) it has been some time since you first made yours did you have any problems with yours like others have had? thanks I want to try this but not if they are goin to fall apart while my snakes are in them.

---

Hi!

It's Kim :P

Yes, I did have some trouble with the first few hides I made. I used spray waterproofing and have since changed to shellac. I paint the shellac on a few layers, once dry, I actually dip the hide into the shellac and let dry. Shellac is made from secretions from the lac insect and denatured alcohol. Once the alcohol evaporates, the shell is very hard. I have not had any other problems. I've been using the new ones for about a month now and they're holding their own.

Hope this helps

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by OhBalls

Hi!

It's Kim :P

Yes, I did have some trouble with the first few hides I made. I used spray waterproofing and have since changed to shellac. I paint the shellac on a few layers, once dry, I actually dip the hide into the shellac and let dry. Shellac is made from secretions from the lac insect and denatured alcohol. Once the alcohol evaporates, the shell is very hard. I have not had any other problems. I've been using the new ones for about a month now and they're holding their own.

Hope this helps

---

Isn't shellac really poisonous?
Does anyone else have any tips on how to make these completely waterproof? Mine are in the oven, but I don't want them to mush up on the snake.

Oh. My. Gosh. You have no idea how thankful I am!! I have been trying to "naturalize" my enclosures, and hides are so darned expensive!

This is going on my Bookmarks. I'm going to get spray paint today!!

Again, thank you so much!




Quick question - is the brand of spray paint you used 100% non-toxic for reptiles? Are there any other brand that anybody knows of that are non-toxic? (Just in case they don't have that specific brand in stock.)

They should have Krylon, it's one of the major brands. But, some people who have made this hide say they mush up after a while - it's why I stopped making mine. Plus, mine cracked haha.

Hi just had a question about the realistic hides... I have followed all the directions but i had a question i was wondering that when the finishing product should be done should it be very little flimsy.... Now i dont mean like flimsy like a rubber band but very very light flimsyness.

so tried it and it came out way to soft and sticky. did you add all the water???

I'm trying this out and so far the recipe worked fine, and they came out of the oven ok and just like I wanted them too. Next step is paint. I'll let you know how it turns and post some pics!