Question on my homemade cage :)

franny · Post by **franny** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 5:04 pm

GOULDYGIRL wrote:Would polyurathan be toxic to the birds after it dries??

Thanks all,
Renee

Verathane brand is a polyurathane, they state on their cans that it is non-toxic when dry - at least the waterbased version is. Not sure about the oilbased version. But even so, if you don't have hookbills, it will be fine, as finches don't tend to chew the wood.

GOULDYGIRL · Post by **GOULDYGIRL** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 5:14 pm

Thanks so much Franny. I was hoping you'd see this. All my husband has is the oil based Polyurethane. The warnings says it can cause brain and nerve damage if inhaled, GEEZ! That's about all he has. We are trying to use what we have around the house for now. I'm not sure what to do.

I don't think the finches would be picking at the wood I'm sure but I still don't know if this stuff is safe or not.

Renee

franny · Post by **franny** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 5:19 pm

I would think that it will be OK when dried... but the oil based stuff has a very long cure time. What brand is it? I can see if we have the MSDS sheet here at work (I work at a painting inspection company - and we have a lab that tests paint. I don't do lab work, but I can look at the data sheet if it's a paint we've tested.)

GOULDYGIRL · Post by **GOULDYGIRL** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 5:27 pm

It's Minwax high-build in Clear Satin.

Thanks Franny!

Renee

franny · Post by **franny** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 5:29 pm

is it manf code # 3333 ?

franny · Post by **franny** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 5:37 pm

Sorry, but I just checked the books and we've only tested 3 minwax varnishes and all were waterbased. So I can't say for certain how safe... but you could call Sherwin-Williams at 1-800-743-7946 and ask them if it's safe for a baby crib. If it is, then you know it's safe for birds.

GOULDYGIRL · Post by **GOULDYGIRL** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 5:40 pm

Great Franny. I'd have to go check if there is a code but it's definetly oil based.

I'll call and see what they say.

Thanks again,
Renee

BillD · Post by **BillD** » Fri Feb 13, 2009 10:31 pm

Thanks for posting this GouldyGirl..

I never would have thought about water based vs oil based coatings. Makes sense though.