Polycrylic sealant for DIY rocks

[Ibdmc6]

Anyone else use polycrylic sealant? On the label it says water based but then says vapor harmful. I don't smell any vapors after a few hours of open air on it and other herp sites have recommended it. It also doesn't say anything about max temps once dry. Anyone else familiar with this stuff?

 

[Ibdmc6]

Ok so I've done 2 coats of the polycrylic over the stone spray paint of my styrofoam rock (after a few layers of grout/grout sealer). Starting to smell a stronger odor with this second coat, supposedly I need to give it 1-2 weeks before putting it in the viv. I'm thinking of just trying something else for the 3rd coat but I'm just not sure. Any advice?

 

[jon21388]

Not sure what sealant I used on mine but whatever the sealant is I would let it air out for a while.

 

[Trogdorpheus]

I used the polycrylic water based stuff. Had it in there for about 6 months and nothin bad so far. Just wait a couple days for it to air out

 

[BadCon]

Smell will go away, just give it time. At LEAST a week, if not 2.

 

[Laderius]

Is there any good tutorials / supply list someone could link, i wanna give a shot at some rock building

 

[BadCon]

Google lizard landscapes. You'll be hard pressed to find a better list of tutorials on the net. There is more then one way to make a grout structure, but his videos will get you started. Only suggestion I can make on top of his method, is to play around with mixing sanded and non-sanded grout. Sanded grout is harder to work with and spread smooth, but its much stronger and has more texture. Non-sanded thins down much more, takes color better, and is easier to work with and apply. I just don't think its stong enough for the last couple of coats...and it has a tendency to crack if you put it on too thick.
Also, the loctite power grab self dispensing tube is REALLY nice...easy to manipulate and that stuff sticks really well and really fast.

 

[Laderius]

Im excited to try this. Ive been watching the videos (http://www.lizard-landscapes.com/Fake-rock-wall-beginner.html) Where can i buy the Styrofoam? I was thinking maybe just asking walmart to save me some if they dispose of it.

 

[Trogdorpheus]

I've used the styrofoam from when my mom bought a new blender, I've used the styrofoam from when I bought myself a new TV, and I've used the styrofoam from when I bought my PS3. All of those for different DIY rock projects. Those things are nice if you can use a little bit of imagination to fit the premolded pieces of foam into something you like. Less carving. If not... I'd suggest the insulation styrofoam from a hardware store. They sell it in packs of 4 4'x2' sheets, and I don't think its all that expensive.

 

[Laderius]

Yeah heres a good list of materials i found (http://www.beautifuldragons.com/Furniture.html). Lowes has it all which is nice and for under 20$ or so.

 

[volvotech]

I actually ended up purchasing several sheets of styrofoam from Ebay (best price I found), but local arts and crafts stores carried them too (for a much higher price). Unfortunately, the local Lowe's and Home Depot do not carry styrofoam sheets, so apparently that's not a nation-wide practice.

 

[Laderius]

I actually ended up purchasing several sheets of styrofoam from Ebay (best price I found), but local arts and crafts stores carried them too (for a much higher price). Unfortunately, the local Lowe's and Home Depot do not carry styrofoam sheets, so apparently that's not a nation-wide practice.

Can you post pictures of your building process? I'd like to see examples and help getting ideas. What was your ending cost?

 

[Trogdorpheus]

If you look around, you can find stuff to build it with. I ended up spending $9 on sealant and that's it. Granted I had grout in my garage already... so $13? if you don't already have that.