My first DIY 3unit display viv!

Do you leave the backing on, or is it stuck to something else that you then slide? I'm heading out in a few to go buy supplies to make a couple of similar ones.

Originally Posted by Shiari

Do you leave the backing on, or is it stuck to something else that you then slide? I'm heading out in a few to go buy supplies to make a couple of similar ones.

i actually just left the backing on them. i know that if i stuck them to something and then tried to later take it off, it could mess up the heating circuits on the pad. so the pad is sandwiched between the aluminum plate and a piece of foil so that the uth isnt direction on the wood. the whole thing is hooked up to a ranco thermostat and it heats real nice and evenly.

Originally Posted by blueturtle

I initially wanted to custom build it with your plans but I ended up finding a bookcase off of craigslist for $20 and went with that instead. It was fairly easy. Next one I do, I will be following your plans. I just got to wait until I move out on my own and have the room.

$20 is a steal!! Again, excellent job on the conversion. What a bargain!

Originally Posted by blueapplepaste

$20 is a steal!! Again, excellent job on the conversion. What a bargain!

haha tell me about it. it was a brand new still in the box bookcase from ikea. only thing was it was white so i just painted the outside black so it better matched the rest of the house.

Nice work!The turned out real nice!!

Ok, I hate you! LOL Where did you get a bookcase, 30 inches long. All the ones I looked at that were Ikea were 23 inches wide. Too small.

I love it. Is it melamine? What did you coat it with? Paint peels off that material doesnt it?

Originally Posted by JustineNYC

Ok, I hate you! LOL Where did you get a bookcase, 30 inches long. All the ones I looked at that were Ikea were 23 inches wide. Too small.

I love it. Is it melamine? What did you coat it with? Paint peels off that material doesnt it?

It's a Billy bookcase. I found it off of craigslist for $20, brand new in a sealed box. Only problem was that it was white. It isnt melamine. The website says its a foil paper. Kyrlon sells a spray paint that is made for plastic and I would think it would stick better to it.

To waterproof it to the extent of cleaning wise, I just sanded down the surfaces that i was to paint with a very fine sand paper to take off the gloss of the 'foil paper' and give the primer something to grab hold of. I was recommended Kilz by someone here on the forum. I used the kilz2 latex primer as the can said low odor. I then coated the primer with black Krylon paint. I then applied a clear top coat by Krylon. Paint can and will chip off if you bang it against something. I just raked my long nails against the bookcase and no paint peels off. I believe it'll only peel off or chip if you have a spot where it didn't grab hold good. So make sure you sand between coats and especially before applying any primer or paint.

Here's the link to the bookcase I have.
Ikea Billy Bookcase

I also saw bookcases online on Walmart's and Target's website that were wide enough. Some come upto 5 sections high. After you find the width its all about how many units you can or want to make it. I also know that Target sells something by closetmaid I believe, that is big enough for 1 unit for like $30 I think.

Great job. I think I may have to give it a try. Going to search craigslist now.

Originally Posted by blueturtle

It's a Billy bookcase. I found it off of craigslist for $20, brand new in a sealed box. Only problem was that it was white. It isnt melamine. The website says its a foil paper. Kyrlon sells a spray paint that is made for plastic and I would think it would stick better to it.

To waterproof it to the extent of cleaning wise, I just sanded down the surfaces that i was to paint with a very fine sand paper to take off the gloss of the 'foil paper' and give the primer something to grab hold of. I was recommended Kilz by someone here on the forum. I used the kilz2 latex primer as the can said low odor. I then coated the primer with black Krylon paint. I then applied a clear top coat by Krylon. Paint can and will chip off if you bang it against something. I just raked my long nails against the bookcase and no paint peels off. I believe it'll only peel off or chip if you have a spot where it didn't grab hold good. So make sure you sand between coats and especially before applying any primer or paint.

Here's the link to the bookcase I have.
Ikea Billy Bookcase

I also saw bookcases online on Walmart's and Target's website that were wide enough. Some come upto 5 sections high. After you find the width its all about how many units you can or want to make it. I also know that Target sells something by closetmaid I believe, that is big enough for 1 unit for like $30 I think.

I think I know the one your talking about, Ive looked at it a few times, its 35 by 13 deep, it says its made out of "Constructed of engineered wood with Honey laminate finish" I didnt buy it because I wasnt sure If id be able to coat it with anything.

I looked at one of the bookcases in Walmart, its 5 shelf, 74 tall, 29 wide and 11 deep. Im not sure how much room my yearlings would have in it cause thats basically a 20 long.

Anyway....What I wanted to asked was what did you use to coat the inside?