Plastikote

Jen250 · 08-08-2015, 03:38 AM

I have a new wooden house and a new wooden wheel coming for the little one, and they both will need some plastikoting before I put them in the cage. I've had a look on Amazon, and it looks like there are two types: a spray paint type can and an enamel that you paint onto the surface. I'm going for a clear color as I like the look of the wood as is. For those of you have plastikoted items already, which of these options is better? The spray paint or the enamel?

racinghamster · 08-08-2015, 03:50 AM

cypher on here would be able to advise on this. I`m sure she uses the water based Plastikote in small tins? I would be looking at something that would `seal` the wood well making it more cleanable. I`m sure Plastikote does this, but if there is a gloss version, I wonder if that might be a better choice? I would only paint the inside of the wheel and leave the outer shell natural since you will only be cleaning the inside. Maybe the spray would be a quick drying option and you could give it multiple sprays to make the coating thicker by building layers? x

Pebbles82 · 08-08-2015, 04:03 AM

I have the 'enamel' brush on which doesn't smell of anything and is water-based. I bought this clear one but you can get different colours. Although it says 'enamel' it is just like a water based paint and I reckon probably safer for pets and humans - I wouldn't fancy inhaling spray paint and the spray one is supposed to be quite stinky.

This is the one I bought. I used a half inch brush to paint it one with. It is quite thin but dries quickly for a second coat. My wood wheel was dry and ready in two days. You only really need to paint the inside of the wheel - and possibly the base part if your hammy wees all over the place.

It doesn't seem like 'enamel' at all, just a watery paint. The clear one is a milky colour in the pot but dries clear. I also think it's easier to paint on with a brush than to have to spray it and get it everywhere.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...ilpage_o00_s00

cypher · 08-08-2015, 04:12 AM

I've only used the paint on enamel, I just don't fancy spraying as I'd want to do it outside & it's usually raining! lots of people do use the spray though & I don't think there's much difference between the two really.
The brush on dries in about 20 minutes so is quick & easy to use.
I buy mine here now as the postage on Amazon got really silly at one point although it looks as though that one Serendipity is free delivery now.

Jen250 · 08-10-2015, 01:03 AM

Great, thanks! Plastikote now ordered. What do you think I should do about the house? Just the inside?

Pebbles82 · 08-10-2015, 04:38 AM

Depends what his weeing habits are?! If he sprays everything in sight it might be best to paint the whole thing, but if he just tends to wee in one or two places, just the inside. Charlie has never wee'd on the top of his house for example.

Jen250 · 08-10-2015, 04:57 AM

As far as I can tell, Hubble only goes in his sand bath.

Pebbles82 · 08-10-2015, 09:59 AM

Probably just do it inside then. The reason my last karlie wheel and house never got plastikoted was I couldn't wait to just put them in

Which wasn't such a bad move with the house as it didn't cost much more than a tub of plastikote anyway if I ever needed to replace it so I didn't bother getting the plastikote. The last wheel I had was the all wood Karlie wheel and Charlie didn't pee in his wheel. It did get bits of squashed poo and squashed food in it but stayed more or less clean and I scrubbed the running surface under water with a nail brush about once a month and it was fine. Does Hubble pee in his wheel? With the cork one it could probably do with plastikote at least on the cork and inside back panel just to make it last as long as possible.

Jen250 · 08-10-2015, 10:20 AM

I know, I can't wait to get this stuff in there! I'm fairly certain he's never peed in his wheel, but I know I should be patient and plastikote it before giving it to him.

virtualkeith · 08-10-2015, 01:24 PM

That's exciting Jen! It's really fun to get new stuff that is a good quality.
You ended up doing what I was thinking of doing by getting the puppy playpen, and it sounds like it's working well for you? I decided to give it a try as well.
Also, Serendipity, if you're listening, I have tried to find plasti-kote in the US, have done searches and everything and could never find it. I clicked on your link, and it showed it in US dollars!! I placed an order immediately!! Thank you!!