Double Flight Paint/Rust Issue

debbyloo · Post by **debbyloo** » Sat Oct 04, 2008 12:57 pm

I bought what I think is the "HQ" double flight from the Bird and Cage Company about 2 years ago. After about a year the paint began to flake off revealing badly rusted metal underneath where ever water from the water dishes splashed onto the cage from daily birdy bathing in them. I've tried to determine if mine is really the HQ (viewing "copy cat comparisons" on the HQ webpage), and I do think it is. Leads me to wonder if anyone else is having this problem with the paint coming off and the metal rusting. Mine is the off-white colored cage, so this is a very unsightly problem and is getting worse and worse, especially around the doors and bottom front of the cage. If no one else has this problem, maybe mine is a "copy cat" and the real deal would not do this?

If anyone else has had this problem, please let me know how you fixed it or stopped it from getting worse. I can't see any way to keep water from splashing onto the cage somewhere and doubt my finches will learn to dry up after themselves!

Thanks!

mickp · Post by **mickp** » Sun Oct 05, 2008 4:57 am

best thing to do would be take the cage to pieces and then scrub off all the old paint removing all rust as you go. use steel wool (found in hardware shops) and either mineral turpentine/paint thinners or kerosene as a lubricant and cleansing agent. once all of the cage is clean allow it to dry for a couple of days before spraying it with a water based acrylic paint (colour of your choice

). it can be a time consuming process though, certainly not a one day job, maybe a week if you do some each day

debbyloo · Post by **debbyloo** » Sun Oct 05, 2008 9:13 am

Thanks so much for the advice - however, I have no where else for the finches to go so can't disassemble the cage to work on it.

I would love to hear from others with this double flight cage to know if they have rust/flaking paint problems. I am trying to decide if mine is doing this way because maybe it is one of those "copy cat" HQ cages and not the real deal. If the "real HQ" cage finish does not have rust and flaking paint problems, maybe one day I will try to replace mine. However, if it is a universal problem, then I won't go that route.

B CAMP · Post by **B CAMP** » Sun Oct 05, 2008 9:55 am

I have a double flight thats not HQ its doing the same thing as yours.On your cage has it got two doors over the top of the door ,the HQ has a extra brace that the copy don't have , but I think the HQ will rust also in time .The only one that won't rust would be stainless steal and those cost to much for me.
I think your only solution is to follow mickp suggestion to repaint

Post by **Sally** » Sun Oct 05, 2008 12:36 pm

I have one double flight and 5 single flights, all supposed to be HQ. I bought all the single flights used, and the double flight new. Now I am seeing rust around the bath areas. I use those 'fasten-on' baths by Lixit in the single flights, and hang-on baths in the double flights. I am very upset by this, as the double flight was sold as an HQ cage, and the singles all match photos of the HQ flights, not the copy-cat cages. These cages are not supposed to rust. I am going to contact the various companies that sell HQ cages, plus see if I can get an address for the manufacturer.

I am especially mad because I have recommended these cages, and did not realize this was a problem.

debbyloo · Post by **debbyloo** » Sun Oct 05, 2008 5:21 pm

Thanks for chiming in about your experiences with the paint finish on these cages. My double flight does not have the double bar reinforcing thing above each door, but on that picture about "copy cat" versions, it does not look like the HQ DOUBLE flight has those either, just the single version. Can anyone out there verify whether or not the true HQ double flight has the double bar reinforcing over each of the big doors on the cage front?

I am very unhappy about this problem as well. The cage was very expensive to be having this problem after only a year or two. I use those greenish clear round bird baths that drop into the plastic holder and twist to secure. The paint is coming off in sheets (like, the entire bottom frame) of each door, even though that is not where the baths are attached. All this just from splashing?

Please let me know if you find anything helpful out, or figure out a way to fix it with the birds still in the cage!

Rae2 · Post by **Rae2** » Thu Oct 09, 2008 8:05 pm

I have had the single flight HQ for over a year now. Still looks as good as the day I bought it.

I love this cage, and sorry you are having problems..