Help Sealing New Wooden Enclosure

[lilith]

I have just bought a new 4 foot wooden enclosure, made out of pine, ply and glass. And I would like to know what is best/safe to seal/waterproof it with? I have no idea and I could really use some member's expertise.
Cheers

[nightowl]

I recently built a bank of enclosures with shiplap as the backing and applied a few coats of laquer to seal it. Then used 'aquarium safe' sealant around all inside edges.

[lilith]

Thanks nightowl, what brand of lacquer did you use?

[nightowl]

hmmm....I'll have to have a look when I get home. I bought it ages ago for other projects and it is like a 'gel' which gives a real thick coat. I am pretty sure you can use any lacquer as long as you let it cure properly. Same goes with the sealant. I used a white bathroom silicone sealant in another bank of enclosures and let it cure over a week before using the cages.

Shane

[lilith]

Originally Posted by nightowl

hmmm....I'll have to have a look when I get home.

Ok cool. Thanks for your help Shane. I was checking out Bunnings today and they had "Crommolin Ornamental Sealer" which is non toxic, "Crommolin Natural Finish Sealer" and "Bondall Terratite"?
Does anyone know anything about these?

[Loudenj]

Hi lilith,

For a coastal enclousure I built many moons ago I used a few layers of Marine varnish and that worked a treat.

John

[caffiend]

Hi lilith!
both of our enclosures are sealed timber, 1 a recycled bookcase and one an mdf (okay not real timber) ready made.
We just went to Bunnings and read every label and discussed - sometimes a bit loudly and emphatically! (ie argued) - until we found the most non-toxic waterproof environmentally friendly slightly tinted lacquer we could find. I'm sorry I can't remember what brand that was either, but I believe we went for one that had a water clean up rather than turps, usually these have less residual odour and are less toxic than turps clean up IMO but more than willing to be corrected on that one
Hope that helps
cheers
Cat

[lilith]

Cheers John & Cat All the above mentioned sealers I came across at Bunnings are water clean. Just wish I could find the same one as you used Cat
Tel

[nightowl]

Cabot's gelclear is the lacquer I used. It is an enamel based (turps clean up) product, but as long as the application is allowed to set properly it will be fine to use.

Shane

[lilith]

Originally Posted by nightowl

as long as the application is allowed to set properly it will be fine to use.

How long do you recommend?
Thanks for the quick response

[nightowl]

I'd give it a few weeks if it is enamel based. You could probably use the cage sooner but I personally would wait 3 to 4 weeks for it to cure. I would leave silicone sealant to cure for 4 to 6 days before using the cage and be sure to use a mask when applying both!! I didn't the first time I used the sealant and I was real crook for a day or so afterwards. I thought it would be ok because I did it outside but that means nothing when you're so close to the stuff.

Shane

[lilith]

Anymore suggestions guys???

[lilith]

..

[lilith]

"Crommolin Ornamental Sealer" , "Crommolin Natural Finish Sealer" and "Bondall Terratite"?
Does anyone know anything about these?

[lilith]

Anyone???