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Hides using Foam/Greatstuff

schnebbles

schnebbles

New member
I saw a really cool hide on the show off your viv thread - I've pm'd the user but not sure they will answer right away and I need to get busy making more hides.

Has anyone used this to make a hide?

If so, please explain how it works. I wonder if he/she just sprayed a huge hunk of it, then carved it out? I've never worked with that stuff so I'm clueless.

She said then she (well I think she) made a mixture of titebond wood glue II, water and sand/eco earth. Paint a couple coats on it and it's done I think.

Anyhow if anyone has tips please let me know. I have an adult snake arriving Tuesday and right no I only have 1 hide for him. That would be ok temporary, I know the hides need to sit out, I'd like to get started on them today if possible.

Thanks!
 
well first, it's best not to touch it with your own hands.

One idea is to take a rock, a tennis ball, sumthing round, and spray on it. when you take the rock out, you'll be left with a hide.
now paint it, and you are good to go. just make sure it dries good as the fumes could be dangerous (not really sure, but better safe than sorry).
 
Tzuki said:
well first, it's best not to touch it with your own hands.

One idea is to take a rock, a tennis ball, sumthing round, and spray on it. when you take the rock out, you'll be left with a hide.
now paint it, and you are good to go. just make sure it dries good as the fumes could be dangerous (not really sure, but better safe than sorry).
Click to expand...

well I guess something bigger than a tennis ball, since you're getting an adult.... a plastic container maybe?

also, if you wanna make it elaborate, try molding it part by part, so each time you'll have something ready. also, it is very easy to cut once dried.
 
ok, so say I have a nice hide now and want to mold one like it, if I spray it on my current hide, it'll come right off and not ruin my hide?

If I'd ever used that stuff I'd have a little better Idea what I was doing!
 
well, mmm, it probably will leave a residue. :) so don't.

you could cover it with something, like a nylon bag, or wrapping paper.
another thing I thought of is this product (any brand, of course. it was just the first on google):
http://www.krylon.com/products/make_it_stone_textured_paints/

please also note this foam expands, and if you cover your current hide with this, it will not mold to an exact replica. try it on something else first, just to get a feel.
 
Thanks guys! I'll go look at those links. I might just end up trying the clay with screen and molding it myself. I got different clay and had trouble rolling it out but I think (hope) that a wooden rolling pin and drywall will work. That's what I read. Who knows! I guess I'll find out.

I see all of those use styrofoam. I did have the stuff to do that but I took it back. When the clay hides worked out so well. I got the wrong kind of styrofoam too. I got the kind that's made with little beady things. Now, what to do with that? I will probably throw it in the garbage but I feel bad. It's not worth returning, it cost less that $1.50.
 
schnebbles said:
Thanks guys! I'll go look at those links. I might just end up trying the clay with screen and molding it myself. I got different clay and had trouble rolling it out but I think (hope) that a wooden rolling pin and drywall will work. That's what I read. Who knows! I guess I'll find out.

I see all of those use styrofoam. I did have the stuff to do that but I took it back. When the clay hides worked out so well. I got the wrong kind of styrofoam too. I got the kind that's made with little beady things. Now, what to do with that? I will probably throw it in the garbage but I feel bad. It's not worth returning, it cost less that $1.50.
Click to expand...

beady things? :)

so you're gonna go with clay? post pictures please if you do.
 
lol! it's the white styrofoam, it's much cheaper. This time I got the pink panther kind.

I'm not using the clay b/c I emailed the mfg before I wasted money on the screen and they didn't think it would be good for that.

Now I'm back to the styrofoam and paint - like the youtube vids.

Gonna work on them tonight. And I'll post pics, I love pics!
 
Tzuki said:
well first, it's best not to touch it with your own hands.

One idea is to take a rock, a tennis ball, sumthing round, and spray on it. when you take the rock out, you'll be left with a hide.
now paint it, and you are good to go. just make sure it dries good as the fumes could be dangerous (not really sure, but better safe than sorry).
Click to expand...

A bowl with some kind of no stick spray would problubly work to....I think.
 
I could try that, or put wax paper on the bowl or hide that I want to imitate. I am not liking cutting the pink panther styrofoam. I almost need a jigsaw! Buy the time I buy all of that I could have bought hides! The styrofoam was $20 for a 4x8' sheet and the jigsaw was 22. But eventually I'll need more larger hides as my little ones grow, so maybe it would be worth the money for the jigsaw.
 
I recently bought a lightweight thing that looked like a rock. I think it was MCR Rocks. It's a good brand, but I can't quite remember the name.
 
No prob and thanks ;3

Sorry I can't really find the name. I'll Pm you as soon as I find the name!
 
I found MCR Rock designs on facebook but it doesn't look like they sell anything. I can get large hides from Petco online for $20.
 
Ok, this is what I did today, I took the hide in the pic, put wax paper on it and sprayed it with the Great Stuff. It's much bigger outside but it would be about the same inside. I have painted the Great Stuff hide 2x with white, then I plan to paint color on it.

photo-2-1.jpg


Better top view
photo-3-1.jpg


Inside - the wax paper peeled off easily.
photo-4-1.jpg


Will this be safe for the snakes? I will let it sit out for a week or so before I'd put it in. Should I paint the inside with white at least? Then I have a sealer that I used on my clay hides. This was very easy, it's kind of big, but I now now that I can make larger hides with these and just use current hides for the right size.

any ideas or suggestions? Now my problem is the tube that came with the great stuff is all clogged...gotta figure out how to get it unclogged so I can use it.
 
Just updating - I'm finally getting this one painted and I think it's going to be super cool looking, easy and cheap! I can make a hide of any size, shape or form! I have painted it with white spray paint a few times and am adding the color to it. I think spraying these with that neat sand paint might be a better idea, but the acrylic is what I had so I'm using it for now.

I'll post updates when it's painted and dry. I really think I'm going to like it.

Finished! I am going to get more greatstuff and make more. This one is outside airing out right now. These were way easier than the clay. I broke another clay one today putting wax paper over it to make a mold for a greatstuff one. These won't break!

Top view
photo-21.jpg


I guess the gaps in back at the floor will be fine on the aspen
photo-22.jpg


Underside
photo-23.jpg
 
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omg is that that foam stuff that you put to insulate windows?Great hide though going to make a few for my self.....
Just an idea for anyone else doing it if you dont want to ruin you hide use like a small old bowl....the cut a hole in it...

Jason(albinodino)
 
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