How to Stain a Wooden Snake Cage

Create a comfortable home for your snake as well as an attractive element of your home's decor with a stained, wooden snake cage. Whether you are building your own snake cage, or are refurbishing an old one, water-based stain can be used as a less toxic way to preserve and tint the wood. Water-based stains come in a vast range of colors.

Things You'll Need

  • Screwdriver or drill
  • Plastic sheeting and masking tape (optional)
  • 120-grit sandpaper
  • 220-grit sandpaper
  • Varnish and stain remover (optional)
  • Rags
  • Wood conditioner
  • Paintbrushes
  • Wood stain
  • Wood finish
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Instructions

    • 1

      Use a screwdriver or a drill to unscrew and remove any fixtures, knobs and handles. Unscrew any door hinges and remove all doors for separate staining.

    • 2

      Unhook and remove any removable windowpanes or screens. If these parts are not removable, use plastic sheeting and masking tape to cover them up. For cages being constructed, staining can be done before the windowpanes or screens are installed.

    • 3

      Sand new wood to prepare it for staining. Do a rough sanding with 120-grit sandpaper. Finish sanding with 220-grit sandpaper. If the cage is being refurbished and was previously stained, a water-based stain and varnish remover can be used to remove the old stain.

    • 4

      Wipe down all surfaces to be stained with a rag dampened with water.

    • 5

      Apply water-based wood conditioner to new wood. This will ensure even stain coverage. Apply a single, semi-thick coat of conditioner with a paintbrush, brushing in the same direction as the wood grain. Allow the wood conditioner to saturate into the wood for five minutes. Use a clean rag to wipe off all excess conditioner. Leave the newly conditioned wood to dry for two hours (unless otherwise indicated in the manufacturer's instructions).

    • 6

      Apply an initial coat of stain using a clean rag or a paintbrush. Work the stain onto the wood in the same direction as the wood grain. Allow the stain to soak into the wood for three minutes (unless otherwise indicated in the manufacturer's instructions). Wipe off any residual stain with a clean rag. Work in small sections at a time so that stain does not end up sitting on the wood for too long.

    • 7

      Apply two to three additional coats as needed to deepen and even out the color.

    • 8

      Leave the newly stained snake cage to dry for 24 hours.

    • 9

      Apply a water-based clear wood finish over the stain to add sheen and further protect the wood. Apply wood finish with a paintbrush, working the same direction as the wood grain. Add multiple coats if necessary to build up the desired luster. Allow a dry time of four hours between coats. Lightly sand the previous coat before adding a subsequent coat with 220-grit sandpaper.

    • 10

      Reassemble the hardware, doors and screens after the finish has dried for 24 hours.

    • 11

      Allow the finish to dry for another 24 hours before putting the snake in the cage in order to be sure that no remaining vapors will bother the snake.