Fixing up a rusty aviary? Can it be done?

[Remy]

I'm moving back in with my mom in a few days, and she has an aviary with 2 doves in it in her back yard. Over the years, it's developed some rust in some areas, and some of the bars are starting to detach in some areas.

I suggested that she get a new one, but she told me that she spent $2,000 on this one, and would like to fix it up instead. What do you guys think? Is there a bird safe way to reattach the bars (liquid nails maybe?), and get rid of the rust, and prevent future rust?

It would be really cool if Puck could go out in the aviary during the day sometimes too. He looooves his outside time. I'm not going to put him in it unless it's safe though.

 

[roxynoodle]

I'm guessing it may be too large to sandblast. Bars could probably be welded back on if you have a neighbor that welds. Someone with an automotive shop may be able to sandblast it though and either powder coat or repaint it with something safe for birds. I think I'd look in that area. Some people do this out of their homes or barns and may be inexpensive compared to an actual body shop.

 

[KBEquine]

Both rust & zinc are the problem in the aviary & its repair.

To powder-coat, you would have to dismantle the aviary & take it to the powder-coater & make sure they understand to use a powder-coat mix which does not contain zinc. You also would need to find a place that powder-coats & has a facility big enough to contain the panels of the aviary. Finding a backyard powdercoater with that big of a facility isn't likely.

As a point of information, it cost $250 to $300 to powdercoat a 2' x 3' cage, so I imagine it would be almost as much to re-powdercoat as to buy the aviary new.

You can repair welds, but would need to be careful about the metal you use. You can also use a hot water/vinegar mixture to remove the coating from some zinc-coated metals.

Over all, you may be better off repairing the aviary in place & then painting it. Information on repainting a bird cage is linked, below.

Painting and Repainting Bird Cages by Steve Hartman ***The Parrot University

 

[Remy]

Thank you everybody!

KBEquine - That link is very helpful; thank you!