Need input of which sealer to use for my DIY rock wall

[BlitzTheBeardie]

hey everyone!

im building a fake rock wall basking spot for my beardie and I need some info on which sealer to use!

I know I need a non-toxic sealer... and seems like most people are using Mod Podge. Ive read there is pros and cons of using mod podge and even which finish & formula of mod podge you use!

ive narrowed it down to either mod podge "hard coat" or mod podge "outdoor". im leaning more for outdoor since it says its waterproof... well, not waterPROOF. Even the mod podge website says:

Is Mod Podge waterproof when dry?

No. it is waterbase and acrylic, which is great because that means it’s non-toxic. You can use it with your children without fear. But all these things mean that it’s not totally waterproof. Even the Outdoor formula is only highly water-resistant. If you want to make your project waterproof, I recommend a clear, outdoor (or Enamel) acrylic sealer when your project is complete.

Ive read you can use other sealers... and I looked for many of them at my local walmart & lowes. the only thing I could find is Minwax Water Based Polycrylic protective finish. Some people and websites ive read say this is ok to use. the warning labels on the back of it though? holy s##t! contains alkyl propanols, etc etc... contains materials that may cause adverse reproductive effects & may adversely affect the developing fetus based on animal data. vapor harmful. Long term exposure can cause permanent brain & nervous system damage. can cause cancer & birth defects.

one other mentioned sealer was shellac. the warning labels on it was pretty much the same as minwax water based polycrylic sealer, if not worse!

So, what do you recommend? why? and if mod podge... should I use "hard coat" or the water resistant "outdoor" formula?

thanks in advance!

Here is the "frame" of my fake rock wall... just started on it today!

 

[smknowitall101]

For my projects I use Modge Podge Dishwasher Safe Gloss. It dries hard with no tack and is waterproof once cured. You have to let it cure for 28 days, which is awhile, but totally worth it. I don't trust anything but Modge Podge personally.

 

[BlitzTheBeardie]

I ended up using mod podge hard coat for the first few costs, then mod podge outdoor for the final 2 coats (still a little wet in the picture).

mod podge outdoor is very very thick though! hard coat and regular matte is almost like elmers glue. It's easy to apply!

this one is for my male dragon... in a 100 gallon corner tank & I'm making one more for my female dragon in a 55 gallon long tank!

 

[smknowitall101]

Wow that looks really great!

 

[groan]

Is teh mod podge outdoor coating very smooth?
I wonder if mixing in some sand would roughen it up a bit and also keep it as a good sealer. I was considering doing something like this when I get around to building our new enclosure this spring.

 

[BlitzTheBeardie]

mod podge outdoor is extremely thick and fumes are horrible! make sure you do it in a well ventilated area. I know people always say that, and I never listen... but seriously, do it outside! I coated my rock in the kitchen (center of the house) and it literally stunk up the whole house & also gave me and my gf a headache.

outdoor dries just like regular mod podge (matte) though. I cant tell a difference in them once they are dry. when you apply regular mod podge... its kind of thin like elmers glue. it goes on a little whiteish but dries pretty quick and clear. outdoor is very thick... almost like caulk. it turns your rock/wall completely white and takes a little longer to dry and turn clear.

I wasnt going to let mine cure for 2 weeks or 28 days like ive read online. I thought there was no way it needed to cure that long because it will actually dry and seem ready to go over night.... I would definitely recommend letting it cure for 28 days esp if you are using mod podge outdoor! I actually put my rock/wall in the enclosure after 1 week and when it heated up from my uvb/basking bulb to 100-105 degrees... you could smell the fumes very bad! it stunk up my living room (where my dragons enclosure is located) in no time! im sure my lil dragon caugt a contact buzz from it because I did sitting 20 ft away!

One more thing you can do... if your rock/wall is small enough, turn your stove/oven on and warm it up to about 120 degrees. let the rock/wall sit in there for 15 mins, then take it out to cool. I did that once or twice a day for about a week just to help it cure and get rid of the horrible fumes! be careful doing this though... if its to hot, your rock/wall will start to melt, shrink, and deform. styrofoam melts/shrinks very easily when hot!

 

[BlitzTheBeardie]

Here is mine finally finished. I had to make some changes to it...

 

[BlitzTheBeardie]

and this is the 2nd I made for my other dragon...