- Messages
- 92
I'm about done with my new enclosure for my blue tegu. I'm coating some spots of exposed 4x4 with water based polycrylic by Minwax. I'm running in to some issues. First is the fumes. My reptile room is relatively small and it's too cold to coat the thing outdoors or in my unfinished basement. I hear any temps below 60 will cause the stuff to bubble. I also probably can't logistically move the cage back out of the room unless I need to move out. I had to break it down a bit to get it in the door of the room. It's not to potent as far as fumes go, but you can tell it's there. Do I need to let the sealant sit for a few weeks to "outgas" before I put the tegu in? How soon after application is it safe to introduce the animal to sealed wood?
So what should I do? I already coated some small areas, but I don't want to cover the thing and expose my three lizards to the fumes if it's going to be harmful. I could wait til Spring to do it when I can open a window and let the room air out. Most of the enclosure is covered with tile and lined with sealed bamboo flooring, so I can get by using it for awhile, I just need to coat the outside for aesthetics.
I also heard that polycrylic is a temporary seal. Does this mean I'll constantly be having to recoat the small areas of exposed pine (literally a few square inches)? Maybe I'm overthinking this, but I really want to do what's in the best interests of the tegu. He's way too cool to lose to a dumb oversight.
So what should I do? I already coated some small areas, but I don't want to cover the thing and expose my three lizards to the fumes if it's going to be harmful. I could wait til Spring to do it when I can open a window and let the room air out. Most of the enclosure is covered with tile and lined with sealed bamboo flooring, so I can get by using it for awhile, I just need to coat the outside for aesthetics.
I also heard that polycrylic is a temporary seal. Does this mean I'll constantly be having to recoat the small areas of exposed pine (literally a few square inches)? Maybe I'm overthinking this, but I really want to do what's in the best interests of the tegu. He's way too cool to lose to a dumb oversight.