Coating with nail polish

[fishlady]

This is a continuation from this thread I started:
viewtopic.php?f=21&t=19482&p=165498#p165498
I thought it would be more appropriate to ask about care in this section.

What is the exact procedure to coat snails with nail polish? I assume I need the shells to be dry and should I clean the shells first? If so, how do I clean them? I'm thinking about using colored polish to cover the damage but not sure what color would look the most natural.

[Annie Anderson]

Hi! It's me again! I've had to polish two of my older canas. They chose pink .



This is how I held her to paint her shell:




This is a younger cana with a fairly healthy shell:



What I'd do with your snails is to dry them off gently with a towel--very gently. If there is algae on the part you want to paint, you can remove most of it with a very soft toothbrush--or just dry it well and leave it. Their shells may be delicate so don't scrub them too hard!

Then hold them like in the picture and start painting them. I held mine in this position for about 15-20 minutes and then put her in a shallow plate of tank water till she dried thoroughly and then put a second coat on. I let that dry thoroughly and then put her back in the tank. If you think your snails need a third coat, I'd wait and do it later in the day or the next day just to be sure the first two coats are completely dry.

This will keep their shells from eroding any further. You can use any color or any brand of polish. I used Sally Hansen Diamond Strength because that's what I used on my own nails. The polish has been on her shell for over 3 months now. You'll know when it needs to be touched up.

[fishlady]

Thanks for the information. I'll be shopping for nail polish today.

[Furex]

I'll be shopping for nail polish today.

Snail polish

[fishlady]

Well, I gave it a try. Here's a picture of them in a plate drying out before returning to their tank. I wish I would have looked at the photo before putting them back because it looks like I missed some spots. Eyeing them, they looked well coated. I guess I'll give them a few days before another attempt. They really didn't seem to like the experience.

The color is called gunmetal. In the picture it seems more like a blue but it looks more grey in real life.

[Lupin]

The snails look strangely out of place with the gunmetal color.

[fishlady]

The snails look strangely out of place with the gunmetal color.

I think we'll have to suggest a new "snail" color to the manufacturer.

[Annie Anderson]

I like them! You did a great job! It is difficult to do to get all the spots covered without getting any on the snail's body. Or on your hands and then accidentally touching the body. Now don't go getting them little guns to play with that match their shell color . The last thing we need are snails that are armed and dangerous! Don't let them watch any James Bond movies either--it might give them ideas

[rpilla001]

I go away for a little while and the next thing I know everyone is painting their snails!!

[Lupin]

I go away for a little while and the next thing I know everyone is painting their snails!!

It was for a good reason, Robert.

[pbgroupie]

I guess you'll just have to stop going away.

[Annie Anderson]

or join the painters !

[Shanyuan]

why would you paint a snails shell?

[Lupin]

why would you paint a snails shell?

To prevent further shell erosion. Check Donya's sticky threads in Snail Health Problems forum.

[Zaynab]

Wow! That looks like fun, those blue shells are nice. I think I will paint one of my canas, I just got it but its shell is so rough and scratched up. I think will paint a clear coat since I like his/her color.