Painting bottom of chameleon cage

[Vince]

I have a wooden / mesh cage, the bottom being wood. I would like to re caulk and paint the bottom of the cage. I was just curious, is there a special paint i should use. I have a exterior white, Dutch Boy, Dura weather, 100% acrylic, latex semi gloss. Is this going to be good??
Also, i was planning on letting my cham free range while this project was going on. Ill set his tree up and hang a light in the other room so he isnt around the smells and chemicals of the paint and caulk. My concern is at the end of the day the cage might still have a strong paint smell, the only other cage i have is a medium exo terra. If i think the smell is going to be to strong for him to go back should i let him sleep in his tree(free rage) or put him in the glass exo terra for the night?? I rarely handle or let my cham run free is the reason im not sure what to do, i dont know how he will react if i were to let him stay out all night.

 

[sandrachameleon]

I use ZERO VOC acrylic latex, semi-gloss. These paints do not stink and dont off gas those horrible volitile organic compounds. Buy that instead. Otherwise wait at least 48 hours before putting the cham back in the cage.

 

[Vince]

I use ZERO VOC acrylic latex, semi-gloss. These paints do not stink and dont off gas those horrible volitile organic compounds. Buy that instead. Otherwise wait at least 48 hours before putting the cham back in the cage.

Do they make this for exterior? I figured i would have to get exterior because of all the water from the misters.

 

[sandrachameleon]

Not sure. I use interior - but I dont have much stray water to worry about as I primarily use drippers. The amount I mist dries up quite quickly.

 

[sandrachameleon]

Had a look online, and there are brands that have exterior zero VOC paints

http://www.eartheasy.com/live_nontoxic_paints.htm

 

[Vince]

yeah i have a lot of run off. If i allow for proper dry time do you think the paint i have would be safe?. Or should i ditch it completely? How durable is the VOC any different from normal paint? im wondering if i should just use it anyway and soak up more after mistings.

 

[sandrachameleon]

You're kinda asking one of those earth-loving eco freak types. I wont use anything other than low or zero VOC paints anywhere now. That said, in the past I used regular paint like you have on a cage, let it dry and air out outside for a week, then used it for a couple years before repainting. That chameleon lived a long happy healthy life.

 

[Vince]

thanks for the info im heading back to the store.

 

[Vince]

I dont like the sounds of the toxins
being released for yeas after being applied.

 

[sandrachameleon]

You're welcome. i feel the same way about paint fumes (any chemical outgassing)

 

[Syn]

Good thread! Around where I keep my chameleon I was planning on painting a desk.. and he's somewhat near it. Glad to know there are paints that aren't killer.

 

[Vince]

OK i found some but it isnt exterior. The best i could do was bathroom and kitchen. We will see how it works fri.

 

[Syn]

Instead of using the whole thing why not do a test spot so if it doesn't work you can get your money back? Just in case.

 

[Vince]

Not a bad idea. Paint is not cheap, spent like $13 on 2 Pts.