samstar said:I want to build something one time for the long run.
GBtortoises said:I've worked extensively with lacquer finishes (furniture building & floors). It does not emit any chemicals once fully cured but does give off noxious fumes while wet and in the process of curing. I've never used it as a finish with tortoise enclosures but I would recommend not exposing the tortoises to it or covering it with a substrate for 2-3 days at normal temperatures to allow it to fully cure. Even though lacquer is an extremely hard finish, it isn't going to hold up over time to constant claw marks and digging and it is very slippery. When the time comes to re-coat, which is going to be determined by the tortoises activity and your desire to have a nice finish, the old finish will need to be thouroughly washed and roughed up with sandpaper for a new top coat to properly adhere or it will flake. The work area needs to be very well ventilated. Using lacquer without proper ventilation can make you light headed and possibly sick to your stomach. And it's flammable when still wet.
samstar said:GBtortoises said:I've worked extensively with lacquer finishes (furniture building & floors). It does not emit any chemicals once fully cured but does give off noxious fumes while wet and in the process of curing. I've never used it as a finish with tortoise enclosures but I would recommend not exposing the tortoises to it or covering it with a substrate for 2-3 days at normal temperatures to allow it to fully cure. Even though lacquer is an extremely hard finish, it isn't going to hold up over time to constant claw marks and digging and it is very slippery. When the time comes to re-coat, which is going to be determined by the tortoises activity and your desire to have a nice finish, the old finish will need to be thouroughly washed and roughed up with sandpaper for a new top coat to properly adhere or it will flake. The work area needs to be very well ventilated. Using lacquer without proper ventilation can make you light headed and possibly sick to your stomach. And it's flammable when still wet.
Ok thanks for your input, I will only laquer the outside. I rather play safe.