FINCHforum

For those of you who have used galvanized mesh on cages, aviaries, etc - what, if anything did you do to prep it?
I know there is a lot of discussionon whether the galvanizing makes it unsafe for finches or not, since they don't chew like hookbills do.
So I am looking for opinions/experience in this area.
If you treated or prepped it in some way, what did you do?
If you did not do anything to it, have you noticed any ill effects on your finches?

I am considering spray painting it black, but am not sure. Any recommendations for type of spray paint to use is welcomed.
Thanks!

Wipe it down with vinegar. Then before painting I highly recommend a primer as I find the oxidising still comes through the paint, but that is with my painted wire which is outdoors in a sea salt ladened air.

Never ever had a problem in over 50 years...if only birdkeeping had the problems associated with wire mesh it would be a doddle...

This is a trick I used....fill up a clean tub with vinegar and water, keep the wire rolled and soak it for about 15, 20 minutes. Take it outside unrol and scrub as you rinse it down...it just removes and dirt and residue....let it sun dry a little before cutting or assembling the cage. Wear work gloves!!! I hate wire scratches!!!

I used to make all my own flights when living in Ft Myers, we had a great feed store that supplied roll and rolls or any kind of wire and all the pieces to make the cages. I still have all my tools, I keep toying with the idea of doing a flight on the porch.

Have fun....the wire is perfectly safe! I like the idea of spaying it black.

hi
sorry but i never ever used anything,unless any of my cage fronts looked shabby i spray painted them after giving them a good wash in vanodine,i think the only problems you would face on just having bare wire would be if you where keeping budgies ,because they have that tendancy to chew everything and to my knowledge finches dont do it!i kept birds since the 70s and always put the wire up as is and left it,and as i said previously i painted it when it got grubby

ken

It is recommended by the avian societies I belonged to and avian vets to prewash it before using. It has to be galvinized and it is safe...avoid anything that contains zinc. Spraying it with a non toxic paint is a good idea also. I may take your suggestion Kenny and redo some of my cages to brighten and renew them.

Forgot to mention...If keeping budgies or hookbills don't forget to vinegar and water rinse the fasteners and door latches also..put them in a strainer and dip them into a large bowl of the vinegar wash, rinsing is easier if in the strainer, spread the pieces out on a towel and dry in the sun for a bit.

I think some of the scrubbing down is good since some wire is coated with a fine oil for packaging and shipping. Also if getting it cut off a large bale and it is standing in a warehouse like I was using it is good to give a good cleaning before using. Rough edges from cutting can be sanded down with a file or rough sandpaper or a Dremel tool.

A trick to making your doors look nice was to use the ribbing from the clear report cover that you can find in the school suply section. They can carefully be scored and cut to fit over the edges of the door and door frame. It also helps to avoid scratches to you as you feed and water. They do make the pieces for that but it was not always easy for me to find.

i buy my hardware cloth by the 100 ft roll. i have never scrubbed or washed it and i have never had any problems. if it was mandatory to scrub the wire i would not build aviaries. most of my aviary creations have required at least a 100ft roll. i cant imagine have to clean all that.

however. if you do have concern, painting it black will help. just use non toxic acrylic based exterior and apply with a roller... spray paint would also work but you would need a couple of coats. and its a large surface you would waste more paint in the open air than you would actually use to cover the wire.

this is just my opinion. and like all opinions... its subjective.

They do make the mesh that has a coating to it already...a little more cost but worth it.

cindy wrote:They do make the mesh that has a coating to it already...a little more cost but worth it.

They do, but I wanted to go with black and I just can't find any. I thought I had found some online, ordered it, and they emailed me to let me know it was actually dark green.

I've read that black is good because it makes the birds more visible.
Has anyone ever used green? How does it look?

I've seen the black on line...let me check and I'll get back to you.

http://clover.forest.net/kwcages/index.html

they have the wire coated with pvc not sure of the color but you can call them, they also have all kind of parts and items like crocks.

http://clover.forest.net/kwcages/index.html

try calling this one, they are in NJ.
http://www.wireclothman.com/shophome.php

this is in Californa

http://www.twpinc.com/twpinc/products/TWPCAT_4

to see what the mesh looks like scroll down and click on the camera for the .041 wire dia.

Mine from Home Depot is a dark green. With the light coming from the top or side, it looks like it is black.

I clean my cages w soap and water to remove the manufacturing oils and dirt, and whatever other gunk/dirt was picked up during shipping at in the store.

I use the 1/2" square coated mesh.
I used the 1/2" uncoated mesh, but it was too soft, so I scrapped that cage and made the next out of the coated mesh.

cindy wrote:http://clover.forest.net/kwcages/index.html

they have the wire coated with pvc not sure of the color but you can call them, they also have all kind of parts and items like crocks.

http://clover.forest.net/kwcages/index.html

I've checked them out (you gave the link before ) but they only go as small as 16gauge, and I think it would be too thick for my design. I'm shooting for 19 gauge. And they are a little too expensive for my budget right now.

I am waiting to hear back from wireclothman.com to see if they have black or not.

ac12 wrote:Mine from Home Depot is a dark green. With the light coming from the top or side, it looks like it is black.

That's good news!

I use the 1/2" square coated mesh.
I used the 1/2" uncoated mesh, but it was too soft, so I scrapped that cage and made the next out of the coated mesh.

That is good to know also, as my backup was to use the uncoated and paint!
Looks like I am going with green. I found some on amazon for not too much!

cindy wrote:this is in Californa

http://www.twpinc.com/twpinc/products/TWPCAT_4

to see what the mesh looks like scroll down and click on the camera for the .041 wire dia.

These look good, but I think they are only available in 100' rolls. I don't need anywhere near that much and don't really have a good place to store it in my 3rd floor apartment haha