Great job! I've done several foam backgrounds over the years, but they've all been more tropical and covered with more of an "earth" finish. I'm getting some Bredl's pythons and I'm thinking I want to do a large display as their adult enclosure. Getting ideas for how to do the "rocks." I'm in the U.S. so some of our products have different names, but I think we basically have the same stuff.
@@Cambart1 I've never used any of them, but I know there are a lot of different kinds of flexible mortar mixes here. I think some of them must be similar to what you're using. Tile pointing doesn't seem to be a thing here, but from what I can tell it's some kind of flexible mortar, right?
@@Cambart1 I was wondering what we call Tile pointing here in the US, I have only experimented with regular cement mixed with a coloring agent, I am not sure if we have the oxidate you use in most of the builds I've watched. Definitely inspired to add these on most my enclosures, reckon the critters appreciate the added naturalistic feel even if they are all captive bred😃
@@turtsmcgee189 really wish I could help you out with a product similar in the US. had plenty of people asking me the same thing. If you do find something other than cement please let me know so I can share the top when asked again. I started my own channel because most the build videos were US based and we couldn’t get some products here (like dryloc) As for the oxide, I’m sure you’ll be able to get it in the US it’s used for changing the colour of concrete so maybe ask a local concrete supplies place.
How do you work with your foam canisters? From what I can tell, you would use some spray foam at one point (e.g 3:37), and then again at another time (e.g 3:45). With such a huge gap in time here, how do you not get your spray nozzle to work again? They harden pretty quickly for me, and if I did use the spray foam as you do rather than using it all in one go (where I would have to try to plan out everything as perfectly as I can and get my bare foundations done for all my XPS completed) before using any spray foam.
The spray gun attachment I use has a speed control dial which also shuts off completely allowing me to save the open can for another time. You need the spray foam cans that can take the gun attachment
@@Cambart1 Ah. So they are fairly specific to use the gun. I had a spray gun attachment once, but I'm not sure if it was something I did wrong, but the gun nozzle got clogged up at some point after a couple uses.
I was using the Sika branded expanding foam with the gun attachment specific top on the cans. You can’t use the gun on normal cans nor can you not use the gun on gun specific cans. There is a cleaner you can get for the foam guns but I never needed to use it
If I use just insulation foam for the background instead of spray foam do I have to dry lock it? Also don’t you have to dry lock the spray foam or is it normal to just start painting after dried?
Hey mate, I don’t use just paint over either of the foams. I use a product I assume is similar to dryloc (we don’t have dryloc in Aus). The insulation foam is more rigid than spray foam which makes for a more solid structure but it most definitely still coated in a product that dries hard and is water resistant.
Hey Cam, have you ever had any problems with the expanding foam melting after it has set? Just done my 3rd layer of pointing and realised in a few places the expanding foam is starting to get holes in it and go sticky
It doesn’t melt after it’s set, what it is is that the expanding foam has gone on to thick and there isn’t enough moisture behind the outer layer to expand the inner areas. As I carve out I find areas that are soft or hollow and I’ll re foam those areas prior to coating. If you have a glass enclosure you’ll be able to see the gooey areas from the outside. With your situation now I’d cut a hole out around the areas and refill with more foam. Try misting water inside the area prior to foaming again.
I haven’t experienced any drama with smell etc. if you’re concerned you can leave it a few more days in a well ventilated spot. Sorry for late reply just saw the reply now
No I don’t the product I use to coat is waterproof and resists urine etc. I wash off with water and brush then disinfect with my preferred reptile cleaner. Treat it as you would a natural rock. Obviously leaving faeces or urine on the surface for a while will cause it to soak in like a natural rock would.
@@Cambart1 so am I right in thinking I'm obvs in UK. Can I coat EPS in any tile mortar..and paint on top with Acrylic paint and it's going to be safe for corn snake?
I know on the states they have a product called dryloc I’m not sure if you guys can get it in the uk. I would think that mortar or grout will be fine and any acrylic paints are fine
I'm trying to enhance a 3' X 3' X 45 cm deep Viv...I've got loads of polystyrene and love how you've used expanding foam but want to be able to remove panels to change if not happy. Picked up some really cool branches and want to incorporate them by making an Enchanted hollowed out tree in corner..but how is another world ATM lol...have you got an hour...🤣
I actually went away from expanding foam and went to foam panels instead. You can see that in my newer videos. Having a removable background is good just gotta be sure it can’t fall or you animal gets behind it
hey brother, i m from Brazil, i very happy for you work, perfect ideals, helped me a lot, it s good, congratulation. i m inscrip now ok
this is an amazing talent you have
Thank you
Great job! I've done several foam backgrounds over the years, but they've all been more tropical and covered with more of an "earth" finish. I'm getting some Bredl's pythons and I'm thinking I want to do a large display as their adult enclosure. Getting ideas for how to do the "rocks." I'm in the U.S. so some of our products have different names, but I think we basically have the same stuff.
Thanks mate. I would be interested to know if you find a product the same or similar because I’ve had a few people the the US asking what to use.
@@Cambart1 I've never used any of them, but I know there are a lot of different kinds of flexible mortar mixes here. I think some of them must be similar to what you're using. Tile pointing doesn't seem to be a thing here, but from what I can tell it's some kind of flexible mortar, right?
@@eminart pretty much man yeah.
@@Cambart1 I was wondering what we call Tile pointing here in the US, I have only experimented with regular cement mixed with a coloring agent, I am not sure if we have the oxidate you use in most of the builds I've watched. Definitely inspired to add these on most my enclosures, reckon the critters appreciate the added naturalistic feel even if they are all captive bred😃
@@turtsmcgee189 really wish I could help you out with a product similar in the US. had plenty of people asking me the same thing. If you do find something other than cement please let me know so I can share the top when asked again. I started my own channel because most the build videos were US based and we couldn’t get some products here (like dryloc)
As for the oxide, I’m sure you’ll be able to get it in the US it’s used for changing the colour of concrete so maybe ask a local concrete supplies place.
nice work cam
Thanks mate. Would love to catch up for a chat in the future. Maybe Penrith expo if you’re going
@@Cambart1 I'll be there most likely
How do you work with your foam canisters? From what I can tell, you would use some spray foam at one point (e.g 3:37), and then again at another time (e.g 3:45). With such a huge gap in time here, how do you not get your spray nozzle to work again? They harden pretty quickly for me, and if I did use the spray foam as you do rather than using it all in one go (where I would have to try to plan out everything as perfectly as I can and get my bare foundations done for all my XPS completed) before using any spray foam.
The spray gun attachment I use has a speed control dial which also shuts off completely allowing me to save the open can for another time. You need the spray foam cans that can take the gun attachment
@@Cambart1 Ah. So they are fairly specific to use the gun. I had a spray gun attachment once, but I'm not sure if it was something I did wrong, but the gun nozzle got clogged up at some point after a couple uses.
I was using the Sika branded expanding foam with the gun attachment specific top on the cans. You can’t use the gun on normal cans nor can you not use the gun on gun specific cans. There is a cleaner you can get for the foam guns but I never needed to use it
If I use just insulation foam for the background instead of spray foam do I have to dry lock it? Also don’t you have to dry lock the spray foam or is it normal to just start painting after dried?
Hey mate, I don’t use just paint over either of the foams. I use a product I assume is similar to dryloc (we don’t have dryloc in Aus). The insulation foam is more rigid than spray foam which makes for a more solid structure but it most definitely still coated in a product that dries hard and is water resistant.
Hey Cam, have you ever had any problems with the expanding foam melting after it has set? Just done my 3rd layer of pointing and realised in a few places the expanding foam is starting to get holes in it and go sticky
It doesn’t melt after it’s set, what it is is that the expanding foam has gone on to thick and there isn’t enough moisture behind the outer layer to expand the inner areas. As I carve out I find areas that are soft or hollow and I’ll re foam those areas prior to coating. If you have a glass enclosure you’ll be able to see the gooey areas from the outside. With your situation now I’d cut a hole out around the areas and refill with more foam. Try misting water inside the area prior to foaming again.
Hi Cam,
What is the name of the filler mix you are using for the background mate? Thanks
It’s Dunlop branded Roof Tile Pointing available from Bunnings. Not sure if you’re not from Aus but it’s only available in Aus
Thanks. I’m not from Aus but I’m sure I will be able to find it online somewhere. 👍
Hey Cam, im setting up a couple Geckos cages with custom backgrounds, i just need the paint what brand is the paint that you use
Paint itself is just cheap shop acrylic paints. The compound I use to coat the foam is roof tile pointing available from Bunnings.
@@Cambart1 oh ok Killa, where can I get them from
Paint you can get anywhere that sells paint for craft etc. the roof tile pointing is from Bunnings
@@Cambart1 would silicone work for sticking the ledges on?
Possibly but I have never done it. Not sure how well it would stick to foam
How long do you let it cure for before you can put the reptiles in
As long as everything is dry (crevices and thick spots will take longer) it is safe to put animals in.
@@Cambart1 even if the smell is still quite stong have just finished my first background everything is rock solid but still smells
I haven’t experienced any drama with smell etc. if you’re concerned you can leave it a few more days in a well ventilated spot. Sorry for late reply just saw the reply now
Do you use a pond sealer over the top to make it easier to sterilize if needed
No I don’t the product I use to coat is waterproof and resists urine etc. I wash off with water and brush then disinfect with my preferred reptile cleaner. Treat it as you would a natural rock. Obviously leaving faeces or urine on the surface for a while will cause it to soak in like a natural rock would.
Wot can I use to seal polystyrene foam in uk
I’m not sure sorry mate
@@Cambart1 so am I right in thinking I'm obvs in UK.
Can I coat EPS in any tile mortar..and paint on top with Acrylic paint and it's going to be safe for corn snake?
I know on the states they have a product called dryloc I’m not sure if you guys can get it in the uk. I would think that mortar or grout will be fine and any acrylic paints are fine
I'm trying to enhance a 3' X 3' X 45 cm deep Viv...I've got loads of polystyrene and love how you've used expanding foam but want to be able to remove panels to change if not happy.
Picked up some really cool branches and want to incorporate them by making an Enchanted hollowed out tree in corner..but how is another world ATM lol...have you got an hour...🤣
I actually went away from expanding foam and went to foam panels instead. You can see that in my newer videos. Having a removable background is good just gotta be sure it can’t fall or you animal gets behind it
What are you daubing? Is it cement?
I don’t use any cement. The product I use is a flexible compound used in Australia on roofs to set in and waterproof roof tiles.
@@Cambart1 What is it called please
@@mjn007 Tile Pointing. Get it from Bunnings.