Is this primer safe?

[andrea0226]

Had this water-based primer/sealer laying around. Just wondering if it’s safe for a closed chamber enclosure? It’ll be super temporary, so I’m trying to use what I have on hand, before shopping around. Thanks in advance!!

 

[Blackdog1714]

I used some on mine and it minimal off gassing since it’s water based. Made for smoother and more complete coverage of plywood

 

[andrea0226]

I used some on mine and it minimal off gassing since it’s water based. Made for smoother and more complete coverage of plywood

Thanks for the quick reply!! So, as long as I let it sit for a while, it should be good, right?

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Thanks for the quick reply!! So, as long as I let it sit for a while, it should be good, right?

I think so, too.

 

[Clueless Tortoise]

Is this for the inside of the enclosure or the outside?

If outside, then yes, just make sure it drys completely. I say 24 hours at least. Have a fan or window open so the fumes go away and it can dry quicker.

For inside, no. I would never recommend using any primer like that on the inside, due to chipping, fumes, toxins, etc.
For the inside, if you want to prime it, I recommend Eco's paint, or even Pond Shield Epoxy Paint. Here are the links:

Non-Toxic, Eco-Friendly Paint Supplier | ECOS Paints

Our selection of eco-friendly paint, primer, and stains features products that are zero VOC and free of harsh fumes. Explore our eco-friendly paints today!

www.ecospaints.net

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00I9X3TTY/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

 

[andrea0226]

Is this for the inside of the enclosure or the outside?

If outside, then yes, just make sure it drys completely. I say 24 hours at least. Have a fan or window open so the fumes go away and it can dry quicker.

For inside, no. I would never recommend using any primer like that on the inside, due to chipping, fumes, toxins, etc.
For the inside, if you want to prime it, I recommend Eco's paint, or even Pond Shield Epoxy Paint. Here are the links:

Non-Toxic, Eco-Friendly Paint Supplier | ECOS Paints

Our selection of eco-friendly paint, primer, and stains features products that are zero VOC and free of harsh fumes. Explore our eco-friendly paints today!

www.ecospaints.net

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00I9X3TTY/?tag=exoticpetnetw-20

I’m looking for something, besides plastic, to protect wood from moisture. I always see recommendations for water-based polycrylic, so I was curious about this primer, since it water-based. Thanks!!

 

[Tom]

Had this water-based primer/sealer laying around. Just wondering if it’s safe for a closed chamber enclosure? It’ll be super temporary, so I’m trying to use what I have on hand, before shopping around. Thanks in advance!!

I used that primer and then 3 coats of Drylok on a wooden closed chamber I built. The bottom literally fell out of it after 1.5 years.

New:



18 months later:


This was 2015. This is why I switched to expanded PVC enclosures and stopped trying to use wood.

 

[andrea0226]

I used that primer and then 3 coats of Drylok on a wooden closed chamber I built. The bottom literally fell out of it after 1.5 years.

New:
View attachment 309355


18 months later:
View attachment 309356

This was 2015. This is why I switched to expanded PVC enclosures and stopped trying to use wood.

Yikes!! What a shame, that enclosure was awesome!! Well, I had a bad experience with my first Sulcata. It was severely dehydrated when I got it and, sadly, it passed away a few days ago. I posted about it here. I’m eventually gonna try again with another one. But I wanna do everything perfectly. So, I’m ditching my plastic-covered garden bed and my plan is to start with something smaller, and completely enclosed. I have an old dresser that I’m gonna repurpose. It’s 2ft x 3ft. If all goes well, this will only last a few months. In that time, I’ll be building something bigger.

But now, I’m wondering if I should just make a big PVC enclosure, instead of doing double work..?

 

[ZEROPILOT]

Yikes!! What a shame, that enclosure was awesome!! Well, I had a bad experience with my first Sulcata. It was severely dehydrated when I got it and, sadly, it passed away a few days ago. I posted about it here. I’m eventually gonna try again with another one. But I wanna do everything perfectly. So, I’m ditching my plastic-covered garden bed and my plan is to start with something smaller, and completely enclosed. I have an old dresser that I’m gonna repurpose. It’s 2ft x 3ft. If all goes well, this will only last a few months. In that time, I’ll be building something bigger.

But now, I’m wondering if I should just make a big PVC enclosure, instead of doing double work..?

If it's going to stay damp.
Yes.
KILZ is an excellent product. But it's not a waterproofing product.
I hadn't taken that into consideration.

 

[Blackdog1714]

I used that primer and then 3 coats of Drylok on a wooden closed chamber I built. The bottom literally fell out of it after 1.5 years.

New:
View attachment 309355


18 months later:
View attachment 309356

This was 2015. This is why I switched to expanded PVC enclosures and stopped trying to use wood.

And that is why I have a pond liner in the base of my enclosure! THank you Tom for allowing the rest of us to learn from your mistakes, trials and tests!

 

[Tom]

And that is why I have a pond liner in the base of my enclosure! THank you Tom for allowing the rest of us to learn from your mistakes, trials and tests!

I did pond liner on a couple of previous builds and those eventually rotted out too. Moisture through either condensation or pinholes would get trapped under the liner and the wood rotted away on those too.

Flex seal shows some promise if its truly non-toxic when cured, but I have no experience with it.

I used non toxic boat paint one time, and that worked well, but a gallon of primer was $90 and the paint was $130. It is tough stuff and made to be continuously submerged on the hull of a boat, but very expensive.

I've used Pond Shield 3 times now. Its tricky to work with, but its an excellent and ideal solution. About $90 to do the inside of a 4x8x2 box.

 

[Maro2Bear]

I used that KILZ product on the closed unit I made for our Sully. I put down multiple layers. On the very bottom, I put multiple layers of thick plastic down and up the sides for about 8 inches. Lasted a good 2 years, then I sold it. You definitely a really good waterproof type covering on the bottom/sides. Obviously it works very well on all the other walls, lid, etc.

 

[Heidi B.]

I used that primer and then 3 coats of Drylok on a wooden closed chamber I built. The bottom literally fell out of it after 1.5 years.

New:
View attachment 309355


18 months later:
View attachment 309356

This was 2015. This is why I switched to expanded PVC enclosures and stopped trying to use wood.

 

[Heidi B.]

Tom- do you have a pic of your enclosure? Since this is an old post, are you still using PVC?

 

[Relic]

This time of year you might find a Christmas Tree storage box for a fairly cheap price. This is the one I used for a few years:

Robot or human?