FINCHforum

Yesterday I finished building my 3' by 3' cage and started to paint it with black exterior paint made for metal and wood. I stopped half way through because it has a very strong smell of oil. This is most likely toxic to the finches so do you think I could just paint over it with an indoor paint or did I just ruin it?

I would set it outside for a while till the smell goes away and then get a paint thats low voc (no smell) child safe. I got it from lowes and had it tinted the color i wanted latex base easey clean up

You ,ay need to prime over it with a primer to allow a water base to stick....look for paint that has a sfatey symbol on it...sometimes it is a crib or a symbol of a mother holding a child. Most water base that are safe for children are good.

Oil base takes long to dry and can have a slight odor even after drying...go to a home improvement center and ask for a good primer (only if they feel it is needed). They are usually very helpful in fixing paint issues...the cage is not ruined just needs to air and be repainted.

http://www.insistonolympic.com/?utm_sou ... oxic-paint&

http://www.ecospaints.net/

I would be tempted to finish the job and give the cage time to dry properly. Then if it still smells I'd prime and repaint. Finches don't chew on the paint... is the type of paint safe or toxic? I also use an outdoor paint made for metal, but mine is safe and if I'm not mistaken waterbased.

You don't have birds housed in their, I'm assuming , so what is a little time. You've already started and have all the stuff.

I agree with monotwine. Sounds like your using gloss or some similar oil based paint. Let it dry properly and it will be fine.

thanks guys! I'll let it be for a few days and hopefully I'll be getting a pair of gouldians this weekend.

hi
once its dry it will be quite safe,as long as you dont put any hook beaks in there like budgies because they have a tendancy to chew everything,but all seed eating finches will be fine once its dried completely if you dont think it will be safe overpaint it with vinyl emulsion ....you can get it in black


ken