New Hide

[wolfman38]

I am currently looking into making some new hides for Zeus, and am looking into making them out of PVC. I was wondering after they are made can I paint them to make them look a little better than having white or grey PVC in his enclosure. I know that I can paint PVC, but will the paint fumes get to him even if the paint is completely dry. And is there a certain kind of paint that I should use and some paints that I should stay away from?

Thanks for all the help.

[First_time_herp]

Well they are some types of paint that you can buy that don't give off fumes untill heated to like 1000 degrees. But I forgot what its called.

[Smynx]

As for fumes, I think the general rule is to let things "air out" for about 5 -7 days. I would be sure to get paint that isn't going to crack or peel off the PVC, though.

[Marla]

There's a special spray paint made for outdoor furniture and stuff that is supposed to adhere to plastic without sanding. I would look into using that, and definitely let it air out for a week or so.

[green_man]

Thats a good idea wolfman. Im gonna have to try that... Thanks
Lemme know how that works out. (post a pic if ya can)

[JLC]

When making a hide out of pvc, make sure it's not a long tube your snake could get wedged in. I once put a paper-towel tube in my snake's home, thinking it would make a great hide. Well...he crawled right in there and curled up dead-center. When I needed to get him out, it was utterly impossible. I honestly wasn't even sure if he could get himself out, he was wedged in there so tight. I ended up having to tear the tube away to get him out...which you obviously can't do with pvc.

Since then, I've stuck with hides that can be lifted off the snake with as little disturbance as possible. If I have to reach in and pull him out, it's no fun for either of us!