Uvb helps??

[ChileanTaco]

I’m going to make the wood things. How would I give it that smooth look? What’s safe for the reptile?

I would first sand it down very carefully. Then covering it in a polish/ lacquer that is approved as safe for baby/ toddler toys. (Can be directly bought as such, "saliva-proof" is the keyword. Available in transparent or in different colors.) In addition to the original usage for baby toys, this is commonly used for things made for pets, especially such that lick and bite their toys.
I'd just be cautious to not make it too slippery for your dragon. I'd rather give it a bit texture, maybe carving the boards a bit by enhancing the wood grain before sealing. I also think that would look nice.

 

[Figgs&Syrax]

I would first sand it down very carefully. Then covering it in a polish/ lacquer that is approved as safe for baby/ toddler toys. (Can be directly bought as such, "saliva-proof" is the keyword. Available in transparent or in different colors.) In addition to the original usage for baby toys, this is commonly used for things made for pets, especially such that lick and bite their toys.
I'd just be cautious to not make it too slippery for your dragon. I'd rather give it a bit texture, maybe carving the boards a bit by enhancing the wood grain before sealing. I also think that would look nice.

Can you link it ? I can’t find

 

[ChileanTaco]

Can you link it ? I can’t find

I can't link you what you can get as I'm on a different continent than you.
(I'm currently in Chile. I have used such paint years ago in Germany.)

But there are many brands.
I really recommend going to your local hardware store and asking for "saliva-proof lacquer" or if you can order online (do you have hardware stores with online stores, or Amazon?) just enter "saliva-proof lacquer".
It is really quite a standard paint/lacquer for making children's toys out of wood.
If you're not in an English-speaking country you might find the correct name of those paints online if looking for the same thing translated. Or describing it in a hardware store that you need paint/ lacquer that is safe for painting baby crib and toys.

 

[Figgs&Syrax]

I can't link you what you can get as I'm on a different continent than you.
(I'm currently in Chile. I have used such paint years ago in Germany.)

But there are many brands.
I really recommend going to your local hardware store and asking for "saliva-proof lacquer" or if you can order online (do you have hardware stores with online stores, or Amazon?) just enter "saliva-proof lacquer".
It is really quite a standard paint/lacquer for making children's toys out of wood.
If you're not in an English-speaking country you might find the correct name of those paints online if looking for the same thing translated. Or describing it in a hardware store that you need paint/ lacquer that is safe for painting baby crib and toys.

So is this one ok?
Minwax 155000000 Clear Lacquer, Quart, Gloss, 32 Fl Oz
https://a.co/d/8Z2giME they mentioned it having a strong smell when using but not when dry. I looked at stores and couldn’t find it

 

[ChileanTaco]

So is this one ok?
Minwax 155000000 Clear Lacquer, Quart, Gloss, 32 Fl Oz
https://a.co/d/8Z2giME they mentioned it having a strong smell when using but not when dry. I looked at stores and couldn’t find it

It says it's for cabinets and such, says nothing about toys, or safe for children. Looks to me like an ordinary one. It might not be outright dangerous, but if possible, I would try to get one that actually says it is for children's toys.

(I could imagine that things are hard to get, as it looks like you're in Colombia. I'm in Chile and we have a notorious problem with getting things that "everybody else just buys from Amazon".)

 

[NickAVD]

It says it's for cabinets and such, says nothing about toys, or safe for children. Looks to me like an ordinary one. It might not be outright dangerous, but if possible, I would try to get one that actually says it is for children's toys.

(I could imagine that things are hard to get, as it looks like you're in Colombia. I'm in Chile and we have a notorious problem with getting things that "everybody else just buys from Amazon".)

I would advise using a two-component polyurethane varnish (usually used for cars).
I got this advice from a chemist. Like you, I wanted to use wood oil recommended for children's toys (manufacturer Osmo), but he strongly recommended a two-component varnish.
I will quote verbatim the specialist's answer to my question about why it is better to use varnish rather than toy coatings:
"What are the doubts? The more durable the varnish, the less substances it releases. And I don't understand what varnish for children's toys has to do with it. What is not harmful to humans can be deadly for animals, and vice versa.
A more durable varnish has a more durable chemical composition. That's the whole point.
After polymerization, it conditionally does not react with anything except special solvents. Essentially a film."
PS: I provided this as food for thought, and I am also interested in your opinion, because the answer I provided definitely makes sense.

 

[Figgs&Syrax]

I would advise using a two-component polyurethane varnish (usually used for cars).
I got this advice from a chemist. Like you, I wanted to use wood oil recommended for children's toys (manufacturer Osmo), but he strongly recommended a two-component varnish.
I will quote verbatim the specialist's answer to my question about why it is better to use varnish rather than toy coatings:
"What are the doubts? The more durable the varnish, the less substances it releases. And I don't understand what varnish for children's toys has to do with it. What is not harmful to humans can be deadly for animals, and vice versa.
A more durable varnish has a more durable chemical composition. That's the whole point.
After polymerization, it conditionally does not react with anything except special solvents. Essentially a film."
PS: I provided this as food for thought, and I am also interested in your opinion, because the answer I provided definitely makes sense.

Is this ok?
Minwax 356100000 One Coat Polyurethane, Quart, Gloss
https://a.co/d/1huK5hb if not please link

 

[ChileanTaco]

Like you, I wanted to use wood oil recommended for children's toys (manufacturer Osmo), but he strongly recommended a two-component varnish.

I meant not wood oil, but lacquer. It's sold as saliva-proof lacquer, in German the funny name "Sabberlack" is used for it, and this is not oil. You could also paint things with it that you cannot oil, thus it's for sure not an oil.
The

two-component polyurethane varnish

is, however, looking to me like a good second option! Maybe that's easier to acquire.

What is not harmful to humans can be deadly for animals, and vice versa.

This is true. However, the above kind of lacquer/ paint is especially made in a way that it does exactly that:

The more durable the varnish, the less substances it releases.

It is very durable and is not releasing something. It is, of course, not for eating it "by the spoon full" or otherwise directly. Then, of course, the rule "harmless for one species doesn't mean harmless for another one" would apply. Think of all the fruits that are harmless for one species, dangerous, even deadly for another... But this is made so that chewing and saliva (=water with enzymes) won't get it off.

 

[NickAVD]

Is this ok?
Minwax 356100000 One Coat Polyurethane, Quart, Gloss
https://a.co/d/1huK5hb if not please link

I think this will do, Winmax is a well-known manufacturer.
For my peace of mind, I was looking for a "two-component polyurethane varnish". It comes in two cans (large and small, they are mixed just before painting).
A month ago I tried to paint wood(pine) with this varnish, and it became extremely hard, like plastic and did not smell at all, after that I decided that this is a good coating for the terrarium and will use it in the future. Unfortunately, what I painted was made at a local factory, and it is not sold in online stores.
You can buy what you found, paint a small board with it and check for odor, as I did.

 

[NickAVD]

@xp29 may be able to suggest you a good manufacturer of two-component automotive varnish that will be available for order in the US.
I was told that car varnishes are particularly durable. This means that they will not emit harmful substances during operation.

 

[ChileanTaco]

@NickAVD
The original poster posted links ending in ".co", that is Colombia. Things that can be easily ordered in the US often cannot be acquired in South America - but one could give it a try. Sometimes I was lucky with getting paints and other materials when the company also manufactures in South America, or when it gets imported. (So e.g. I was lucky with Rustoleum/Zinsser also in Chile - just for completeness, this kind is not (!) to be used for the project described here. Other things however, usually not available or steep (really steep) price tag.)

 

[NickAVD]

@NickAVD
The original poster posted links ending in ".co", that is Colombia. Things that can be easily ordered in the US often cannot be acquired in South America - but one could give it a try. Sometimes I was lucky with getting paints and other materials when the company also manufactures in South America, or when it gets imported. (So e.g. I was lucky with Rustoleum/Zinsser also in Chile - just for completeness, this kind is not (!) to be used for the project described here. Other things however, usually not available or steep (really steep) price tag.)

I think that the "co" domain is just a safe publication of a link to Amazon. In addition, the author's profile says that he is from the USA, that's why I called xp.

 

[Figgs&Syrax]

I think that the "co" domain is just a safe publication of a link to Amazon. In addition, the author's profile says that he is from the USA, that's why I called xp.

Yes. I’m not from Columbia. From USA. Please send as much help for this varnish as you can. I need it! ️

 

[xp29]

@xp29 may be able to suggest you a good manufacturer of two-component automotive varnish that will be available for order in the US.
I was told that car varnishes are particularly durable. This means that they will not emit harmful substances during operation.

I always use a polyurethane like the Minnwax and just let it cure to Zero fumes. The automotive varieties might actually be a little more durable but you still would still have to let it cure to zero fumes.

 

[xp29]

I always use a polyurethane like the Minnwax and just let it cure to Zero fumes. The automotive varieties might actually be a little more durable but you still would still have to let it cure to zero fumes.

The https://a.co/d/8Z2giME
Would still need a polyurethane sealer to be on the safe side.