Paint for exterior wood??

Cliecost

Hi,

I've got a guinea pig cage that was made using, what seems to be, the cheapest wood they could get their hands on. I've only found this out after it started to rot! :mad:

I'm going to replace the wood with good ply-wood, the waterproof stuff.

I also want to paint it to make sure it stays water tight as I know it's the glue that's waterproof, not the wood (although a good one shouldn't absorb a lot of water) and if the water in the wood freezes then the wood will be !!!!!!ed.

What paint would be best? Masonry? Bathroom paint? Solvent?

Thanks for any help!

DirectDebacle

Raw, not boiled, linseed oil. Excellent water resistance and cheap. Most importantly it is food safe. Whatever you use make sure it is non toxic.

I confess I know nothing of guinea pigs but suspect it may gnaw at the cage now and again?

Cliecost

DirectDebacle wrote: »

Raw, not boiled, linseed oil. Excellent water resistance and cheap. Most importantly it is food safe. Whatever you use make sure it is non toxic.

I confess I know nothing of guinea pigs but suspect it may gnaw at the cage now and again?

Guinea pigs do gnaw but it's usually on food. They're greedy fat things.

Cliecost

DirectDebacle wrote: »

Raw, not boiled, linseed oil. Excellent water resistance and cheap. Most importantly it is food safe. Whatever you use make sure it is non toxic.

Thanks, I'll try that. Is that something that can be gotten from somewhere like Screwfix or one of the Sheds?

DirectDebacle

Yep most hardware shops will have it. Prices vary a lot too. I pay approx £3.50 per litre from a local independent supplier.

Apply liberally with brush or cloth until the wood will absorb no more. Leave for no more than 10 mins then wipe of the excess. After about 24 hrs repeat.

2-3 coats should give several months protection. When it starts to look dry/weathered re-apply.

After use wash cloths/brushes thoroughly with water. On rare occasions under the right conditions linseed oil can self-combust. Rinsing cloths with water prevents this. Only applies to the applicators not the cage! Don't worry you won't roast your guinea pig.