Cairo1 Posted January 3, 2012 Share Posted January 3, 2012 Hello All! I am in the process of building my whelping box and wondered if I should paint it? It's made of form ply and will have a piece of lino on the floor but I was thinking that it would be helpful to wipe down the sides etc too when disinfecting. The puppies are due in about three weeks so if I did paint it would that be a problem?? I am not sure I like the idea of pups (and the dam for that matter) breathing in paint fumes. Can anyone suggest alternatives?? Thanks for you time Cairo1 ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebanne Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 you could paint it now and put it outside for a few days or maybe put some contact (the stuff that you cover books with) on the sides, or even tack some lino onto the sides. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trisven13 Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 We painted ours but used one of the safe paints - safe for baby's rooms etc. Painted it about 3 weeks before pups were due, left it in the shed for a week and then brought it inside about 10 days before pups arrived and had no issues with paint fumes. Made it very, very easy to wipe down after she leapt out of the box spraying blood everywhere after the first pup was born too . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Baggins Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 I would definitely paint it to protect the wood from absorbing body fluids/discarge with a possible spot for contamination. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwaY Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 Clear Varnish would be better as it is thicker and easier to clean, paint will come off over time with all the extra washing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OSoSwift Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 Would you need to use a marine Varnish? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Baggins Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 Would you need to use a marine Varnish? Marine varnish would work well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LizT Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 You can get some good Low Odour varnishes, just make sure you give the paintwork plenty of time to 'cure', so it lasts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldrag Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 Make it out of melamine, then you don't need to paint it. Just a suggestion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OSoSwift Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 But will Melamine stand up to the amount of cleaning and disinfection required?? I have been pondering this in the last little while.................. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwaY Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 Most certainly, Melamine is what many kitchen doors are made of. I have used my 3 Melamine box for 3 litters and it's still as good as new. Bunnings has pre-cut sizes or wil cut to size for you. Of the whelping boxes sold most are either Fiberglass or Melamine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oakway Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 Only melamine used here. Best stuff invented since sliced bread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LizT Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 But will Melamine stand up to the amount of cleaning and disinfection required?? I have been pondering this in the last little while.................. Yes, kitchen grade does. My OH used to work for a kitchen company and brought home bits and pieces. End result I have a lovely whelphing box. All the metal trim and edging can be bought at hardware suppliers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rysup Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 Made mine from marine ply. No painting. Stands up to the cleaning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OSoSwift Posted January 4, 2012 Share Posted January 4, 2012 Thank you. Yes will be using metal edging - we are in Bunnings almost daily so have seen it there and have that added tot he list. I am guessing the average Melamine you get from Bunnings is not the wet area stuff??? From memory it isn't blue which the we area stuff is - or it has blue through it anyway. Maybe I just need to look closer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwaY Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 Mine us just the regular white stuff from Bunnings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Baggins Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 My box I'd Kenol And is Melamine and survived quite a few litters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cairo1 Posted January 5, 2012 Author Share Posted January 5, 2012 Thank you all for your responses! Ok, I did get some odour free paint that is suitable for bathrooms ie it can withstand some moisture and I have been painting madly! I also have some nice thick vinyl which I will be putting in the base. Just a tip for those that want to paint on a budget! K & D (like Bunnings) has an area for paints that have been mistinted. These can be up to 50% cheaper!!! I wasn't too fussed about the color but ended up with a dove blue which really wasn't too bad anyway. WIll post an image of said project upon completion! Once again - thank you Cairo1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebanne Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 Mine us just the regular white stuff from Bunnings. mine too and I didn't bother with any metal edges. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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