Touch-up paint ???????

I've been cage-shopping... the BIRD gets a new one every 5 years or so. Usually due to deterioration of powder-coating caused by wear, chewing, etc.
But I just can't find one I like as much as the present one.

There are a few places of wear which I think could be touched-up.
How do I do that safely? Or CAN it be done safely?

Thoughts, pleeeeeease!?

Gail, a good cage is powder coated, an industrial process. No paint is going to stand up as well, especially in a high wear location.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh... I get ya, Wrench.
Back to shopping
THANK YOU!

what is it that you like so much about your present cage?

You can get cages recoated, but I'm not sure what the cost is.

Recoating would cost as much as a new cage and possible more. Strip existing powder coat with sandblasting equipment. Add drybase powder and into a large oven, heat at temperature for specific time.

Consider a very light coat of Corn Oil in the areas that are wearing between washing. Short term fix until you find what you want.

Plum, I love its big front door that swings open to allow me to offer him a "step-up" no matter where he is. I'm having trouble finding that in a cage that isn't too huge... we're downsizing and moving next year. His current one is about 3 feet wide and two feet deep and maybe 40 inches high. And has a nice play roof. Another thing I like is that it's paid for!!!

Aquila and Sailboat... I didn't think this through very well... I don't have another cage to put him in while working on the other. I need to bite the bullet and get him a new one. I'm back to looking.

I wish I had bought a stainless steel one 32 years ago. Grrrrr!

Thanks, y'all!

Montana Orlando Stone Parrot Cage ? Next Day Delivery Montana Orlando Stone Parrot Cage

just an idea? or two

http://www.cagesworld.co.uk/f/Parrot_Cages/products::bird_type:Conure.htm

Those are nice, PlumsMom... I'm in America though. Still, will see if I can find one of the cages I like over here.
Thank you!!!!!

Bird-safe Painting Tips

Tips on Painting & Restoring Older Bird Cages

https://theparrotuniversity.com/repainting-bird-cages

Happy reading

OOOOOOOH, thanks, Plums!!!
I will definitely read those.
I still wish I had gotten a stainless one a million years ago!

Arm and a leg job now I expect?

I am looking after a Patty at the mo and in general he is good. Bit noisy sometimes. BTW he's 11 and his mum done no training with him. He does stuff cos he wants to, full stop. Lucky he likes me and says kicky (kiss) to me. He does seem to like to upturn the papers in his cage bottom and burrow underneath, does Rickey do this? Diet is diabolical, seed, sm piece soaked bread, sweetcorn, seed, and more seed!! I have managed to get her to get Nutriberries for him and he will eat some. Been mixing the sweetcorn in chop but he eats round it dash it. Any comments would be great.

Both arms, both legs, PlumsMom!

That Patty sounds adorable... they all look so much alike that my heart instantly bursts for every one I see. Ohhhhh, good for you for getting the Nutriberries into the situation. That type of situation is so tricky... you want to help the bird yet you can easily offend the owner by seeming pushy. That dear bird cannot be in best health on that diet. The Rickeybird loves big green chiles... he gets one a day, wedged into his cage bars. Like this. Click on him for vid.

He rips it open to get at the seeds, then eats the green part as the day goes on. He also eats Harrison's pellets, plus assorted fruits and vegetable bits. I wonder if an open chile, showing the seeds, would stimulate your boy. I guess I'm not too optimistic due to the long-standing habits... I wonder: do you ever have him long enough to convert him to pellets (with her permission)? She may not have the skills/determination but might like it done for her? It makes my heart ache to think of a Rickeybird who has to die an early death, full of seeds.

Yes, RB burrows under / into anything he can. I avoid letting him because he gets very aggressive in defending it. I'm guessing you know they burrow into limestone cliffs to nest.

Another worry... Rickeybirds are usually famous for extremely loud and frequent noise. I wonder if your guy isn't feeling as energetic as he should because of the diet.

I'm so glad you're helping him!

Thanks for the reply. Energetic? Yes very, doesn't stop. At his toys all the while. I donate them too! I even gave her some pellets but was a waste of time. At least he is eating or part eating his nutriberries, but so messy never known a bird throw so much food about or so far LOL. Talk about feeding the vacuum! If I have a chile I'll give him it. I am giving him the sweetcorn each day as better than just seed! He likes a little soaked bread and gave tiny piece of wholemeal yesterday, it all went. We seem to do better than his mum in terms of noise and cannot complain morning or evening - not too bad. He is funny as not keen on me picking him up in my hands (not step up trained) so use a towel, his little head pops out and I can then give him some head scritches and kisses ah! Does RB bluff by coming up and banging toys or bars in his cage? Funny yesterday at bedtime as talks to my hubby but suspicious of him and we did it together last night and he kept my side of the cage shouting "alright" at me. It's nice that you can see they trust you.

OMG

RB is a ferocious food-tosser. He can whip stuff across the room! He seems to want certain treats on certain days and if I don't have adequate ESP to know which he expects, he will throw it against the wall. And he's mad about it! Like... "how dare you place that garbage in my treat bowl!". If I disappoint him, I know better than to get near him until he cools off.
Toy-banging???? YESSSS! That seems to be his main interest with toys. He gets a good hold with his beak and then... BAM BAM BAM BANG BANG BANG! I hang toys near the bars so that he can indulge himself. He usually screams at the same time. Such a pleasant house tenant.
What's your guy's name, please? I love him already, sight unseen, long-distance. Like I said, they all look (and usually behave) so much alike that I fall instantly in love with every one.
I never trained RB to step up either... I just offer him a hand-held perch and if he steps on it, good, if not, oh well. If yes, then I know he is friendly and offer him my hand, and he steps right up onto my hand from the hand-held perch. From there he picks his place... shoulder - head - sometimes he flies someplace.
Do you know when he moults? The RB is doing his big annual moult now... wings, complete tail, body, everything.
I love hearing about your little friend.

His name is Benji could be male or female we assume male. It is nice he is attached to me both in my home and in his. Living up to my title of bird woman LOL! Just a shame that Plum very not keen on him being here though. Mind you three and half weeks is a long time for Plum and I think Benji outstayed his welcome on day two! I think he did a moult a month or so ago? Sorted the paper burrowing - put a washed garden stone on top but he is still chewing holes though, oh well. Doing really well in the mornings bed @ 9pm and hubby uncovers @ 8am. Couple of light contact calls early but all good I think! I am not very happy is he comes to my shoulder as a bit unpredictable, not really earned those privileges.

What do you feed RB on a daily basis?

Remember this old thread about repairing a chewed but otherwise good cage? We discussed touch-up paint, new cages, related stuff. I finally devised a solution of putting stainless steel washers over the spots where the powder coat had been compromised. It's working out great. Here's a sample of a formerly-chewed corner. The bird keeps a cage he knows; I save money; bird is safe from metal! Win-win-win!

I figured this is a good place to add this idea for covering up cage damage.



I used grass rope from Lows.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/0-125-in-x-50-ft-Twisted-Grass-Cord-Rope/50405950

Well, thank yewwwww!
Good addition to the thread in case I pass it along again!