Refinishing Cage

[Elliriyanna]

I am thinking since it looks like it may be a while before I get my bird, and the cage is a little rusted I may go ahead sand down the rusty spots and refinish it. However I want to do this safely.

What spray paints are safe? How long should I let it cure? And is there anything I should consider since I will have to do this in my back yard, and leave it there to dry ...

 

[Flboy]

Sorry, but the best spray paint is a new cage!

 

[Elliriyanna]

well I haven't seen the cage but i was assuming its rusted ... We will see. Its unfortunate good cages are so expensive.

I keep reading different products are safe, and let them cure for 3 weeks. I know rustoleum is safe in most cases but I have never refinished anything.

 

[JerseyWendy]

This is the only paint I found that 'claims' to be safe, and sorry, it doesn't come in a 'spray'. All Products :: Pet Paints :: ECOS Bird Cage Paint - ECOS Paints

 

[OOwl]

I had a really amazing antique iron cage re-powdercoated. It was less expensive than a new cage in that size. If you go that direction, tell them in needs to be safe for babies (and birds). I was really happy with the results, to the point that when my parrots' old-style Avian Adventures cages start to rust (and at 12 years they STILL haven't), I'm electing to have them re-powdercoated than buy new ones (I just haven't seen any that are as well built or have the features I want). Good luck with your cage.

 

[JerseyWendy]

^^ You are SO right about those 'older' cages being of high quality! My biggest regret to date is selling my first cage I had Hunter in. It was a Cal Cage. One piece construction, easy locks, with nothing that could possibly break, and VERY well made. I'm sure that cage would have lasted me forever had I opted to have it re-painted (powder coated).

 

[OOwl]

Yep, JW, that's what I'm seeing. Even the current "high-end" cages really aren't compared to what we could buy in the '80s and early '90s. I have bought several over the last few years from top cage manufacturers and been super disappointed in the workmanship and features when comparing them to these older models. Those old Cal-Cages were just so well made. Nab those when you see them. They are worth having re-powder-coated (and the heat kills any germs in the nooks and crannies too). Someone in my bird club told me about doing the re-powder-coating and it really was more affordable than what I thought it might be. Size really isn't a factor (larger isn't necessarily more expensive because it's the set-up time and disassembly that costs the most for the powder-coating company). You might check with your local facility (and every large city/town seems to have them) but if you disassemble the cage yourself (and you might have to anyway to transport) it might be a lot less expensive to have it sandblasted and recoated if all they have to do is flat panels.

 

[Elliriyanna]

If the cage needs it I will definitely look into it. I think it may be rusted because mine rusted so easily when I had a similar cage but it may not be.

 

[Elliriyanna]

They said every panel had some rust, so I just ordered a new cage.

 

[wrench13]

Powder coating - that is TOUGH stuff, as I know from many years working on motorcycles. A good powdercoated surface can be hit with a hammer and the finish will not flake off. Just make sure you like the color cuz it is damn hard to remove.
If you can disassemble your cage into pieces, and remove any locks, latches and screws and fasteners, and just give the panels to the powder coater, it will be cheaper ( and you'll have all the hardware needed to put the cage back together. Powdercoaters are notorious for loosing the 'lil' pieces.

 

[Elliriyanna]

The cage was powder coated so I don't know how the company messed it up so bad. All of their cages rust. Its been a huge complaint. The cage I got is decent, MUCH better than what he is in right now.