Hope for restoring powder coating on cage?

inge

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Dusky Conure, "Wynnie" (RIP little Wynnie girl)
My inherited conure came with a rather nice white cage. I looked around on amazon.com to find one that looks just like it, and the description states that it is powder coated. So I am assuming that is what mine is, also.

My cage has some rust spots and chips in the coating, mostly on the bottom corners where the slide out pieces are resting. However, I was looking more closely today as I was cleaning, and there is bare metal on the upper insides of the cage that are most certainly from her beak or claws because she hangs out on the cage bars a lot.

Reading through this forum, it seems that painting of cages is not advised, even the supposedly bird safe paint. Any options for salvaging this cage in a way that is not toxic to the birdie? It is 90% immaculate and is probably six years old maximum. Are cages and their coatings meant to last longer than that?

I did not buy this cage--so it is possible that it was used to begin with. She has been living in this cage for years with no ill effects. The last thing my husband wants to hear right now is that we need to buy her a new cage. We have spent a lot on this "free" bird in the last month, and we are getting ready to do a major home improvement project so we are very tight with pennies right now.

If I get a replacement, should powder coating be avoided? I saw a nice looking stainless one on Craigslist tonight but it is for a much bigger bird, the bar spacing is an inch.

Thanks!
 

getwozzy

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Powder coated cages are fine- and are usually made of steel...over time and depending on the type of birds previously housed in it, it can take quite a beating...which can lead to chipping. Have you looked up any powder coating companies to see how much they would charge to re-coat it?

Personally I would snag that SS cage if it's a deal- as long as you know your conure can't squeeze his head through the bars and get stuck...?
 
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jenphilly

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Reworking a cage is a bit worrisome in my opinion. I might be more of a worry wart but career in construction including a metal fab shop, I don't think I'd trust my cage to a powder coater.... I had a nightmare project for powder coated handrails in Jersey City and the rails had pooling and drips. Not to say you can't find a great company who specializes in powder coating cages.

But if you are looking for a temp fix while you save for and shop around, you might consider wrapping those bars in vet wrap much like people do for perches. Won't last and probably need to redo frequently, but cheap fix and will keep your bird from chewing on rust spots. Or worse getting off and ingesting chip of metal coating.

Just my thoughts. .... but it's after midnight here in PA could be sleep deprived delirious typing! :)
 
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inge

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It looks like ss cage on craigslist is already gone.
@ Jenphilly, that is a good idea. I like the ones that have a cabinet in the base but those are $600 which seems insane to me at this time of my life. I really don't see this bird chewing on her cage. She has tons of toys and she is out a lot. It is possible that this cage was sold as secondhand and that some other bird caused the paint to wear off the upper bars. The rust on the bottom corners could be from the way it was cleaned. This climate is quite brutal on just about every material whether it is wood or metal. So if it was stored improperly or not dried thoroughly after washing that would cause rust. Also, disinfecting with bleach without rinsing and drying.
Thanks!
 

getwozzy

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I agree with jen- If your current cage has rust that your conure can get to and chew on, I would cover the rust up immediately with vet wrap and find a replacement cage as soon as possible.

I recently had a quote done for re-powder coating Chili's cage, and I found a local company that claims it is "environmentally friendly, doesn't contain any volatile organic compounds, and doesn't contain carcinogens like spray paint" ...however, I would not want my bird to ingest it if it is chipping off.

This is their explanation of how powder coating is applied:

"Powder coating is a type of coating that is applied as a dry powder and then cured in an oven. The part to be coated is grounded and the powder receives a static charge as it is sprayed and is attracted to ground. This keeps the coating in place until it is oven cured."
 

RavensGryf

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I bought Robin's cage about 19 years ago. He needs a new one one of these days, but yes they are supposed to last more than 6 years or so! Even a cheapie should. I guess it depends on if it was exposed to the elements and other particulars. Robin's cage has some minimal rust spots, but no where I'm worried about it. Mainly it's pretty ugly with white poop staining the black cage in places where it gets pooped on daily for years and now is impossible to come completely off.
I'm surprised the cage has any chips if it's been in the house and no more than 6 years old? I understand being tight with money after you've already spent a lot, but look around for a good deal on a new cage? Even a fairly spacious one for a Dusky conure shouldn't be too expensive depending on where you buy. Good luck!
 

MonicaMc

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1" bar spacing is too big for a medium sized conure anyway.....

Usually the cost of powder coating a cage is about the same it would cost to buy a new cage.... and places that can powder coat include places that paint cars... you might get lucky though and find someone who's willing to do it for cheap.




I was curious as to what cages may be available in your area so I had a looksy around
large bird cage
Large Exotics/Bird Cage. Flying Squirrel, Sugar Glider, etc
PARROT bird cage (*smacks head against wall* - re: pics/info)
Bird cage (door sucks... not in best condition...)
Large Cage
Parrot Cage (Large) Gray (can't tell bar spacing)


And this one.... which you probably don't need to see.... but.... well, up to you I suppose.
Parrot Cage
 

RavensGryf

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1" bar spacing is too big for a medium sized conure anyway.....

I didn't see anything about her saying it's one inch. But YES, 1 inch would be too big for a Dusky.

Edit: oh, ok I was blind. I saw it.
 
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inge

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The one inch spacing is on the one I saw for sale on Craigslist. My cage has smaller spacing probably 5/8"--I need to measure.

Wow, MonicaMC, I am checking out your research right now. I have been looking for stainless but they are just way too expensive. I am glad to hear that you all think powder coating is ok and that my next cage will last longer than 6 years.
 

Kiwibird

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I would absolutely not try to repaint it, and getting it powder coated will likely cost more than a new cage. I would start saving up now, and aim to get a new cage within a month or so.

For right now, I would remove the rust as best possible. Cover the areas the bird cannot reach or would be difficult to reach with small pieces of duct tape (just big enough to cover the exposed metal). Wrap the bars the bird can reach that have exposed metal in vet wrap. That should work as a TEMPORARY solution, but you still have to get a new cage at some point sooner than later. Amazon has some nice, cheap cage that are around $100-$150 that would work for a conure.
 

MonicaMc

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The majority of the cages made are powder coated. There are times though that the metal beneath the powder coating is not safe.

My larger cages are powder coated, where-as my smaller ones have some sort of plastic coating on them. Smaller cages meant for smaller birds that are less likely to destroy the coating on the wires.



I hear stainless steel is *amazingly easy* to clean, but the price tag is pretty high! Even for an "adequate" sized cage. Next step down from that is aluminum. Lightweight and supposedly easy to clean. Then you have the powder coated cages, etc.




If you aren't satisfied with any of the cages you see, you can easily post an ad looking for a cage around a certain dimension and see if anyone replies to your ad. That's how I came across my first HQ Flight Cage. I put an ad up looking for a cage for my first conure and something "cheap". Someone replied that they bought a sugar glider cage but never used it (was still brand new in box!). They purchased it for $150 and I got it for $100.

Several years later, I've still got the cage! Inside of the bars aren't holding up quite as well as the outside (rust comes out of the hollow bars when cleaning with a hose, but there is no rust on the outside of the cage), but otherwise it's still in good shape.



When I first got the cage and set it up (insert birds to "model" it, prior to putting perches and toys inside)


ff217cd2.jpg



d96022a3.jpg




Three years ago when I had to board my birds.... had 5 cockatiels, a bourke and a budgie in the cage at the time.

165603_10150130725476469_1826345_n.jpg




And the cage now occupied by my third conure.


IMAG10432_zps7ba5b946.jpg
 
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inge

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MonicaMC: That is one of the cages I am looking at, I believe. I think it is around $200 now on amazon.com. I am a little hesitant about the ones on CL because it is likely they have been stored outside or even in a non-controlled storage. The humidity is a huge issue here. I am going to get some vet paper as suggested and then look at my options. I really like that shelf on the bottom! A good place to put a basket to hold the cover and other stuff!
Thanks all! I really hoped to salvage this cage because the rust is minor, but it seems like I need to get busy finding a new one.
 

MonicaMc

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