MDF Tips?

I am building a huge cage 6' x 4'. I have everything constructed and reafy. But i am at a loss for a safe, effective way of sealing and painting the board. Any tips are appreciated. Thanks in advance.

What do you plan on putting in this cage?

Sorry on my phone so im trying to keep it short. It will house a uromastyx on the bottom, and my two BPs on the top. Along with the mice/rats stored underneath the whole thing.

Interesting, I think we need some pictures :)

As for sealing I've heard that a good polyurethane paint is best.

2x poly urethane I like colors in plastic personally it needs to cure fully at least 48 hours in a warm place with lots of air flow.

polyacrylic, its like waterbased polyurethane so not near as toxic.

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Originally Posted by speedfreak

polyacrylic, its like waterbased polyurethane so not near as toxic.

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Isnt it best to avoid watery based products for fiberboard? Never used this stuff before so im a complete newbie..

Generally yes it causes it to swell. Polyurethane is harder wearing and there is a lot of sliding on the shelf surface.

If you want the best of both a liner polyurethane cures fast and is rock hard it is inert when cured. It is also quite expensive I think about 60-70$ a quart. Great suff however one shot one coat it is two part and once mix it is going to turn to solid plastic and there is no stopping it. I have used the system 3 version it is a great product.

I only have a few crappy pics of it. But it will give you the just of what it will look like. I havnt finished the drawer system on the bottom half,...well most it isnt finished. Dimensions are 72"x50"x24". Have alot of wood work left, the eletrical wiring, the glass slides in the front. Port holes throughout for fresh air exchange, you know. The typical things you see missing lol.

http://static.socialgo.com/cache/233186/image/3643.jpg

http://static.socialgo.com/cache/233186/image/3644.jpg

http://static.socialgo.com/cache/233186/image/3645.jpg

Polyurathane it is. Now do they have different colors to choose from, or could i add a coat of paint of my choice after i coat it in polyurathane?

It comes in colors, don't paint over it

It is a type of paint you might want to thin the first coat 20% or so to get better penetration and it will take a few coats.

Not much progress so far. Just some electrical wiring done, a few more adjustments made. Hopefully ill have this weekend off and get around to sealing it. What do yall think so far?


http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...7_21.48.50.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...7_21.48.44.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...7_22.42.12.jpg

http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...7_22.42.05.jpg

Looks good, my only issue is the heat lamps, how are you going to keep the animal in the cage from touching/burning themselves on the bulbs? (or will there be a terrestrial lizard in there?

The bottom will house a uromastyx, so no worries there. The top is for a BP. I am going to have to build a nice metal cage around the bulbs, hopefully with the desert lizard underneath. Plus the UTH that will be under the ceramic tile, I shouldnt have to worry about the overhead lights in the top cage. Well see after I get it sealed, and the glass doors installed. It should hold its heat pretty well.

Ok. Just making sure. This cage looks sweet.

Yeah, I like it so far. If you noticed on the bottom one I raised a 5" wall so I can add alot of substrate for the Uromastyx. With them being big burrowers I figured it was a neccessity.

First time I ever wired anything (except speakers). Lets just say it was a decent learning experience.

Wow, the wiring looks pretty good (I'm an electrical engineer)

And the raised wall is a great idea.

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Originally Posted by The Serpent Merchant

Wow, the wiring looks pretty good (I'm an electrical engineer)

And the raised wall is a great idea.

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Well I know who to contact next time around!

need some updates i like the setup

http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...9_20.20.34.jpg
http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...7_00.58.13.jpg
Everyone is loving the cage!

Plus I gutted the bottom and converted it to ahttp://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...2_17.30.11.jpg cage for my new baby savvy!