Painting my son’s bearded dragon’s enclosure

[Msehat123]

Hi everyone
I have built a new enclosure for my son’s bearded dragon with wood . however I painted the wood with a
Rust- oleum black paint and primer . I have left it outside in the sun for 2 days now. However I can still smell the paint . How long before I can put him inside of it or is it even safe to put him in there having painted it ?

 

[IAmAMirage]

As far as my knowledge goes you need to wait until you cannot smell paint.
Lets get some more experienced forum members to help you! @xp29 @NickAVD @ChileanTaco @AHBD

 

[xp29]

If you can detect the smell at all, it will irritate their respotory system. Their system is much less complex than ours and more susceptible to irritants.

 

[NickAVD]

I agree with @xp29. You need to wait until the paint stops smelling. If there is a smell, it means that not all harmful substances have left the painted surface.

 

[Claudiusx]

Moved by Moderator from General to DIY

 

[Alice12]

If you can still smell the paint, the enclosure isn’t safe yet, as the fumes from Rust-Oleum’s paint and primer may contain VOCs that can harm your bearded dragon’s sensitive respiratory system. Let the enclosure cure in a well-ventilated area for at least 7-14 days, or until there’s no trace of odor. Sunlight can help speed up the off-gassing process, but curing time depends on conditions like temperature and humidity. In the future, opt for reptile-safe or zero-VOC paints and sealants to avoid this issue. Ensure the enclosure is completely odor-free before using it.

 

[Msehat123]

Thank you all for your input.