Rust repair powder coated cage

[wendyrun]

My double flight cage that I got a few years ago is starting to rust noticeably.
Basically any place that they have a bath, the water is starting to make its presence known.

I painted my other two cages with the water based spray paint. I can rehouse everyone while I get the cage repainted, but it seems logical it will rust again in the same areas. I think it could have been coated more evenly, be there were bare places around the corners and edges when I got it.

Anyone have ideas? There are two powder coat places where I live, but before I get a quote, I want to figure out if there is a way to touch it up myself, if I would have to get it all covered again, and if it would slow the progress.
I was thinking of trying the plastic paint 'Fusion' but I worry about the fumes and how long I would need to re home them, etc..

Suggestions very much appreciated

[paul-inAZ]

Water based paint on top of rust is a sure fire formula for more rust.

To do a good paint job the first thing is to convert the iron oxide [rust] to an inert iron phosphate after brushing off any loose rust. There are several phosphoric acid based solutions that can be painted onto the rust. Hardware, automobile supply or paint stores carry these. Ask for rust treatment. Naval Jelly is NOT what you want. It doesn't penetrate into all the crevices that are rusty.
Once dry these change the rusty iron to a black iron phosphate that is a first class base for paint .

I would prefer an oil based paint but this will take several days up to a week or so to fully cure and off-gas. A paint like Rustoleum would be best. They sell multiple colors in small cans.
I suppose a water based paint could be OK once you have the phosphate base.

[Sally]

paul-inAZ Thanks for that information! I have a number of the HQ flight cages, and though they are supposed to be powder-coated, I find that anywhere there might be a lot of water (near baths, under water tubes), I do have a rust problem. I would like to refinish these one day, but powder-coating commercially is probably out of my budget. Following your instructions, I think I could do it myself.

[paul-inAZ]

Sally:
Absolutely dead simple to do yourself.
Powder coating is expensive and should have the rust converted to the phosphate anyway. That done, you're half way there.

Scrape off any flaking, loose rust.
Use a small [cheap] brush to kind of paint the watery consistency rust treatment over all of the rusted areas. It will run into all of the cracks and crevices that hide rust but shouldn't damage existing paint. Let it sit until dry. It could take two coats if the rust is bad.
Once dry the previously rusted areas should be a dull black with no red rust visible and can be painted the next day.

[wendyrun]

Yay! The way you have explained the process does make it sound much less daunting! I went to the big box hardware store on my way home from work last night. Might try to start the repairs over the holiday weekend.

I'm also working on fixing a plant stand in the room where my birds are. It has galvanized metal trays that are rusted. I've been spraying them with Lime Away before painting and the areas do turn black. I have a little bit of another product left in addition to what I got last night. The light bulb went on for me with you saying to change the chemical reaction - I have been trying to remove the rust and that shift in your wording helps me get it.

[Derk]

paul-inAZ
Your information is very timely. So far, fingers crossed my powder coated cages are fine, but I have a few of the white 30"x 18"x 18" breeder cages that need repair. Some rust areas and some areas with flaked paint. Same process? Then what type of paint? Someone once told me automobile paint for small touch ups. Thanks in advance.

[paul-inAZ]

Derk:
Yes, same process. Use a wire brush or sandpaper to remove flaking paint and loose rust then convert the rust to the phosphate.

I had never thought about automobile touch up paint but that should be ideal. Great idea. [most of my use of the rust treatment experience has been on antique car parts and such so I've needed bigger cans of paint].

Automotive touch up paints usually have a small brush similar to nail polish brushes in the screw cap so would be perfect for painting wire. Plenty of color choices as well as durability.

[Derk]

paul-inAZ
Thanks very much. And glad I could also help with a hint.

[MiaCarter]

Thanks for this info!

I've got a few cages in storage that I'd love to fix up.

Now, would this work for other birds too?
Specifically, hookbills who bite the cage bars while climbing? Or would it not be bite-safe?

[paul-inAZ]

I don't know about resistance to hook bill chewing.
My guess is that most small and/or inexpensive cages are painted rather than powder coated so any paint you used would be no different than that originally applied.

[Derk]

MiaCarter
Hi. I also have lovebirds and an Indian Ringneck and a Sun Conure. Although mine do not chew the bars on their cages, I know of other birds who do and they can even remove the powder coating on the cheaper or older cages. Because of this, I would think that any repair work you do would be even easier to remove. That of course leads to the concern of ingestion and poisoning. When it comes to the parrots, I always err on the side of caution.

My budgies, when I had them, were in a large room so I am not sure about what damage they can do. I have not owned any cockatiels. Since these birds are likely in cages with smaller bar spacing, any chance you can use them for the finches and then get new ones for the parrots?

[MiaCarter]

Derk paul-inAZ

Yeah, that was my thought too that the repair would be easier to remove.

Currently, I don't have any hookbills whom I'd cage.
My cockatiels fly free 100% of the time and my budgies have a cage for the night, but they don't chew. Just mouth the bars while climbing.

I've got a few cages in storage that I'd like to repair. A couple could be used for finches. A couple have larger bar spacing and could only work for a large hookbill.

I think I'd just have to watch and see what happens.
It sounds like a repaired cage wouldn't work for a bar chewer, but for others who just mouth them while climbing around, it sounds like they would hold up okay. I'll make sure I put the new coat of paint in a contrasting color from the original and the underlying metal so I can easily see anywhere that the paint is chipped off.

[Derk]

MiaCarter

I know that at least some hookbills will notice missing/chipped paint and it will attract them and lead to chewing. This may also be the same case with contrasting paint colours. Like a lot of things it may depend on the actual bird.

I have been wondering if it might be best to leave a cage that is missing paint chips - no rust/or sharp points - when it is used for finches.