Preserving Exo-Terra backgrounds

Is there some type of paint that isn't toxic and can coat their backgrounds so that it doesn't get chipped and ruined over time? I think they look great in their terrariums but their styrofoam and every time I'm going to clean the tank I risk it getting damaged. Some type of hard resin type paint...

any ideas on what to use that is non toxic when it dries and can harden and re enforce these styrofoam backgrounds so I dont have to keep replacing them as much?

I like your resin idea. i am by no means the person to comment on this. make sure not to use acetone or such based solutions. it will eat the styrofoam. a water based or oil based lacquer or resin may be the best. ask your local home depot or lowes paint section expert. i have had to use several lacquers to prevent older cabinets from falling apart from dishwater vents & they were helpful. they gave me the right product to use. good luck

I mounted mine on the outside. You can see it sagging a bit in this picture. Packing tape fixed that right up.




This is my smaller one during settup.



Jason

biffle said:

I mounted mine on the outside. You can see it sagging a bit in this picture. Packing tape fixed that right up.

Jason

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I want mine in the terrarium for that extra dimension, I will just have to ask hardware experts then. I might throw some sand in with it if I can for more grip...

make your own background w/ some great stuff, its what I did and its still doing great

curious.. how do you plan to keep crickets from getting behind it?

I absolutely can't stand cricket chirping at night.

mhfan305 said:

I want mine in the terrarium for that extra dimension, I will just have to ask hardware experts then. I might throw some sand in with it if I can for more grip...

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There is this stuff called Zoopoxy....its pricy but is a 2 part putty that is non toxic and animal safe. They use it in zoo and aquarium habitats.

When mixed it it like soft clay that you can ad texture to. It thins and smooths with water. It dries hard and is waterproof and paintable. It can also be tinted when mixed .

Another product that works similar but I like less is apoxi sculpt. Its a little harder to mix and can crack over time. Its less expensive though.

I work as a scenic artist and do work for theme parks like universal studios , sea world, Disney making fake scenery ..trees and rocks and stuff like that. I worked on the Harry Potter section of universal studios among other things

You will have to order both these products as you can't find them at home depot.

I used zoopoxy in my crested chameleons cage and textured it to look like tree bark.

pics







The tree trunk is the overflow from the tank when it was an aquarium before we cut the front to make a screen door.

Zoopoxy was used to coat the plastic and a texture stamp was used to press into the soft zoopoxy leaving a bark texture behind.

I made the texture stamp I used by coating a real tree with liquid latex for several layers and then peeling the latex off.

That is one of the coolest things I've ever seen. Thank you for telling us how you did it. That Zoopoxy is pretty pricy, how hard is it to work with? For a layperson who hasn't done it before.

MelissaB said:

That is one of the coolest things I've ever seen. Thank you for telling us how you did it. That Zoopoxy is pretty pricy, how hard is it to work with? For a layperson who hasn't done it before.

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2 quart kit is around $45.00 I think. There are 2 different kinds

The LITE is thin and easy to spread.. A bit like cake frosting. You can mix it in equal parts and spread it over your piece with a bondo spreader or even a chip brush. To smooth it use water. Since the lite version is soft you should wait until it starts to harden slightly before pushing a texture stamp in it. You have quite a bit of working time before it hardens. Always wet your stamp before pushing it in so it dosnt stick.. For a rock like texture you could just stipple the brush on it

The regular zoopoxy is a little thicker and more like modeling clay. Smooths just like clay. You can make a little free standing sculpture out of it.

Its not difficult to work with.
I think the Lite would be better for coating the backgrounds.

Thank you, Dez.

I was looking for something that was like a clear coat that could strengthen the exo terra backgrounds. But I might have to make my own and add my own flavor into it. Thank you.