Thread: homemade background help

So I just made a background out of styrofoam and I need to paint it. I need to use a non toxic waterproof paint since ill have a waterfall going down it.I plan on housing 2 red bellie toads and an anole in the tank, it'll be a living vivarium. What paiint should I use?

hmm, have you tried going to a pain store and told them your situation?

No I. Just finished the background and posted this before I had to come to work.

Styrofoam will be a pain to paint because it's so porous. I would put something over it first that you can easily seal and prime like plaster of paris or clay. Both of those are easy to seal and paint, you can also add texture.

As for what type of paint, I'm not sure. I would think a simple non-toxic paint that would be child safe should work (so long as water won't be sitting on it constantly) but I'm not entirely certain. Personally I would cover and prime it then paint it and seal it so that the only thing you have to worry about it what type of sealant to use not which paint. That might be easier and then water won't hurt it.

I have made several homemade hides in the past. The steps I took was to create the hide out of styrofoam first, cover it with grout, use acrylic or tempera paint to add color, and then seal it with a grout sealant. As long as you let the hide dry out, any sealant will work. It will also cover and seal the paint so a water based paint will do fine.

So, it does not matter what kind of paint? Just matters what kind of sealant?

Originally Posted by Makatak123

So, it does not matter what kind of paint? Just matters what kind of sealant?

The couple hides that I made are still looking good using the method I stated above. A water soluble paint will work great as long as it is sealed. There's really no sealant that's non toxic so you have to let them set for a few days before using them.

ok, can i use acrylic paint, and use like grout sealant?

Have you seen this DIY how to video on making a background yet?
Its pretty cool. He talks about the paint, grout, and sealant that he used.

It looks VERY professional imo.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=US&h...790&nomobile=1

I love Lizards land scape! His stuff is SO cool! I love his bearded dragon Grand Canyon viv!