I bought it! Now I need to fix it

[andrearamirezo91]

Some of you may have seen me post a thread a few weeks ago asking if I should buy this enclosure. Well, I went to Orlando for work, came back, and the lady still had the cage so I went ahead and purchased it for $50! It's 5ft tall and 2ft wide.. I'm planning on having this only as his outside enclosure, where he'll be taken out for some safe fun and sun time.

Two things I need to fix:

1 - The wood looks in okay conditions, the previous owner said she had the cage inside but would constantly take it out for her iguana to have some sun. I definitely need to protect if against water and sun since I will always have it outside. Any suggestions? I have no idea what to use for this!

2 - The screen! It's all torn on one side, and the holes seem a little big... There's a lot of big spiders where we live and I definitely don't want them to be able to get in there. Also, raccoons sometimes come around. My boy will never be put out there and forgotten as I will always be around when he's out there, but I rather be extra safe so something a little resistant would be great. I know some people suggested I purchase it at home depot. Exactly what material it is that I should look for? I just want to make sure I buy the right one. \

Thanks in advance Can't wait to set it all up. My little boy is gonna be so happy!

 

[JacksJill]

I would leave the wire that it has on there and line the interior with aluminum window screening. The existing wire will protect him from critters and the screen will feel the bugs you want in and others out. You might even be able to use fiberglass screen with the wire but some bugs will chew thru it.
There are some marine grade products that work well with all the water a cham cage gets.

 

[andrearamirezo91]

@Brodybreaux25 sorry to pull you in here, but would the marine grade varnish you mentioned on the other thread be useful to protect this cage against sun and rain?

 

[andrearamirezo91]

I would leave the wire that it has on there and line the interior with aluminum window screening. The existing wire will protect him from critters and the screen will feel the bugs you want in and others out. You might even be able to use fiberglass screen with the wire but some bugs will chew thru it.

That's actually a really good idea. It'll make my life a lot easier too lol. What mesh should I buy for the inside?

Edit: was a little distracted when I read the reply lol. Going to hope depot today to buy the aluminum window screening and get the project started

 

[JacksJill]

Not feel - keep the bugs in. Autocorrect did that somehow.

 

[Brodybreaux25]

@Brodybreaux25 sorry to pull you in here, but would the marine grade varnish you mentioned on the other thread be useful to protect this cage against sun and rain?

This would be a perfect job for that varnish. I build wooden boats as a hobby and I use Duralux on every build. This is the brand I prefer but I suppose any MGV would do...

 

[andrearamirezo91]

This would be a perfect job for that varnish. I build wooden boats as a hobby and I use Duralux on every build. This is the brand I prefer but I suppose any MGV would do...View attachment 210440

Thank you!