HELP: wood experts on DIY

[jamjam]

I built my custom enclosure I guess about a yr and a half ago now, my guy only went into it June/july last year. I did a full clean this week and noticed a bottom corner seems like some water is getting through the bottom seems like the silicone might have lifted a bit and may need to be redone (not that big a deal, have a 2nd cage i use for outside) but as I removed everything I noticed my back wooden wall has some splits through it. I will have to get pictures later tonight.

Just wondering what could have possibly caused it. Did i not have enough varnish? is there a way to repair it? can I just seal over it? or am I going to have to take it apart and flip to the other side? Another solution I was thinking was simply going to an acrylic sheet.

Thanks for any advice

 

[jamjam]

https://www.chameleonforums.com/first-enclosure-120008/index4.html

Here is what I guess you can call my build thread to give you a better understanding of what it looks like

 

[Gavinsons]

The splitting was most likley caused from water getting in the wood and swelling. On the 2 cages I just recently built, they got 4 coats of polyurethane. Sanded the first 3 coats with 0000 steel wool and applied the 4th coat and left it alone. I also use 100% silicone to seal all edges and where wood is butted together. Anything or anywhere water might get into get into. Thats pretty much everywhere. Im almost done with my double cage that will house my male ambilobe and soon to be girlfriend whenever I find the one I want. Thompson water seal would be another good choice to seal the wood. I know guys that build plywood fish aquariums use it and it is under water all the time.

 

[jamjam]

all my other pieces are fine and seem to be well sealed. it was just that back piece thats having issue. is there anyway to repair the split and craking wood???

 

[jamjam]

How can i repair this

I guess you can say it's more splintered. But can this be repaired safely for my chameleon and what's the best way to do so

 

[happy]

Just looks de-laminated, not sure you can fix it completely, you could steam it, re-glue, and place it under a very heavy very flat object. sand down the ugly stuff, and re-waterproof it. or replace it.
you can steam it with a hot clothes iron and a moist towel...
id probably just cover it with polystyrene, and cover in some water proofing agent that would allow you to adhere a "decorative" functional item.

just my .02

 

[repdog]

I would take the easy way out and just reseal it then put something over the back. I did photos on two sides of mine. Maybe you could the living wall on the back. But otherwise just what everyone else said. One of the bad things I hate when you custom build a cage. The best thing is they just look so cool when you are done.

 

[Gavinsons]

Maybe sand it back smooth and reseal it. Thats what I would try first.

 

[jamjam]

i used titebond and have some laying around was going to try get some in there sand and reseal. suggestions on what to sand with??

 

[repdog]

I cheat and go for the easy way and use a sander, very lightly with a high grit paper.