FINCHforum

My wonderful hubby is building me a breeder/flight cage, with plywood. What I need to know is, what kind of paint to use, that is easy to clean and safe for birds. Also he is using hardware cloth for the front and I need to know is what kind of paint to use on that.

I have used a spray paint that is a latex paint--hard to find latex paints in a spray can, don't know why. Anyway, this is sold at Walmart, the can says something like H2O on the front--very few colors available. Someone told me that Michael's sells a safe paint, but I haven't checked it out.

Good subject, was wondering about the low VOC paints?

Spray paint is all good and dandy but very uneconomical. You will blow 3-5 cans of primer and then another 3-5 cans of spray to cover all the parts on 1 cage... equaling 25-40 dollars in canned sprays.

Additionally, its HORRIBLE for the environment.

Do yourself and the Earth a favor and go to Lowes/Home Depot and buy a can of Valspar Latex (WATER BASED) paint. If you want it to have a bit of water resistance, go with a semi gloss as its very water resistant. ~ 10 dollars for a quart, you will have half to a quarter can leftover when you are done I am sure. Get a quart of primer ~ 8 dollars, make sure its water based. Then you can buy for 1 dollar a 3 inch roller and disposable paint kit. You will have enough left over to do a few more projects or touch up spots you need.

My girlfriend and I have used 1 qt paint and 1 qt primer on our 3rd project last night. We made 2 bird cage stands and last night we painted some shelves we made for our entertainment center in our living room. STILL have leftover paint and primer.

Ok.. i have rambled on enough. Just make sure you go with a semi gloss latex paint for ease of cleanup and a bit of water resistance.

Also try the the egg shell finish, satin has a sheen to it. If you are going to caulk make sure it is non toxic. Aquarium caulking is non toxic and waterproof.

Do not use oil base, it takes longer for the fumes from oil base to dissipate.
site for Low VOC paints/Consumer affair:

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/maga ... nts-ov.htm
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Rust-oleum has a eco friendly primer:

Zinsser Bullseye Zero Primer/sealer

Eco Friendly, zero VOC formula, water based. It is made from 100% recycled plastics and the container and even the label is 100% recyclable.

Cheer it with Chris.....Go Green!!!!!!!!

Ok, do I use the latex water based paint on the wire too? Or do I need something for wire that may rust? Does that hardware cloth rust? The package says its galvanized. Do I need to clean it?

Prior to using it soak it in a solution of vinegar and water and scrub it with a stiff brush, let dry and you are set to go. I left mine plain and did not paint it. If you are going for a cetain look to the enclosure you could probably paint it, I would prime it and paint with a safe, non oil base paint. Check with the hardware store what would work the best.

Most all paint types are safe for finches once dry/cured. Finches do not chew on the wire like hookbills so they do not ingest any. Fumes of any type paint can make them sick so just make sure all new paint smells are aired before stocking.

This is a site from a Cage company explaining how to repaint a bird cage, they suggest water base is the safest. This may help

http://blog.windycityparrot.com/2009/09 ... -cage.aspx

I also found this site Eartheasy - Bird safe paint

http://www.eartheasy.com/blog/2009/03/bird-safe-paints/

http://www.eartheasy.com/live_nontoxic_paints.htm

It suggests not using any paint that contains lead (that is monitored now a day), zinc or chromate. Most oil based paints contain these. Oil base paints also contain a drying agent such as linseed oil, prime pigment of iron, lead, titanium, zinc oxide.

I have seen finches fixate on a spot on a cage work on it, poke and nibble at it. Personally I would not use oil base paint for those reasons, if they do manage to chip it, they could ingest it and it may make them ill or kill them. Water base is easier to clean up.

I am an artist, used to paint with oils, the smell and linseed oil can be overpowering. I switched to latex water base paints, hardly any odor, dries quicker and cleans up with soap and water.

Thank you guys and gals very much!!!!