Transforming furniture into BD cage question

[Unknownhope]

I'm looking to make a bearded dragon cage out of something like this entertainment center/TV stand.
I know I need to put vents in it, attach the lights to it, make a tile bottom, etc.
However, I am wondering if there is some sort of disinfectant I should use to clean it or if I should re-finish it with non-oil based paint.
Is that necessary or would it be possible to just transform it as is?

Thank you for your input.

 

[Hellstrom]

I recommend using water based minwax sealer (I use polycrylic). I would just clean it normally, let it dry and paint it with that on the entire inside. Good luck on your enclosure escapade! Keep pictures of your progress, it could help other people down the road

 

[Unknownhope]

Thank you! I'm actually still waiting on some emails from people about some furniture I was looking at. That one in the first picture was the most expensive, but looked like the most promising. However, I'm also looking at transforming this:

Simply because of all the drawer space underneath it can be used for various things, and I think it would be fun to make a taller cage rather than a wider cage because my baby loves to climb.

People on craigslist are odd. The TV stand in the first picture is being sold for $45.00, and the second picture, the giant 6ft one with the drawers is being sold for $20.00. Going to try and barter the lady into giving me a cheaper price.

 

[Hellstrom]

Lol, craigslist is weird. I recommend going with the longer one though. It'll last you longer. Beardies need more square footage than height. If you're only planning to use it while he's a baby and make another one then the tall ones are great. The recommended size for a full grown beardie is 4x2x2, so if you're looking for more permanance, I might look for something more like the long one. I can't really tell it's dimensions. Of course it's the more expensive, but it'll stop you from buying another one...thus saving money

 

[Blazing_Dragon]

Hellstrom is right. Your going to want to give your beardie more ground space. The 6 footer doesnt seem like it would last more than a couple months at the most. Then you would have to buy a shorter wider longer cage. I would save the time money and effort and get the more expensive one. The price of the cage is nothing compared to food cost.

 

[Trogdorpheus]

The price of the cage is nothing compared to food cost.

Breeding feeders ftw.