Want to restore vintage bird cage.

Mimi
by Mimi
I bought an old metal bird cage and would like to restore it and use it as a bird cage. Can anyone give advice on how to proceed?
  23 answers
  • Johnchip Johnchip on Oct 10, 2016
    Great find. You may want to consider contacting an auto restorer or shop that can sandblast it for you, maybe even do a good spray of non-corrosive thermal paint for metal or just good (non-toxic, paint finish as well. Hand sanding that is a monsterous chore to finish well. Good luck.
  • Natasha Benua Natasha Benua on Oct 11, 2016
    wash it good with soap and metal brush. Let it dry properly, then paint it with Hammerite Direct to Rust paint (or similar).
  • Janet Louks Hustek Janet Louks Hustek on Oct 11, 2016
    If you read true bird keepers sites, you will see you should not keep birds in a round cage. Just a suggestion along with the nontoxic paint tip.
  • Donna C. Donna C. on Oct 11, 2016
    I would not use this as a birdcage. It could contain lead. I am a bird owner and would not use this even if you took it somewhere and had it redone. Parrots especially chew on everything. The birdcage is beautiful.
  • Carole Taurasi Carole Taurasi on Oct 11, 2016
    I purchased two cages at Joanns and turned them into table lamps
  • Sue Kiene Sue Kiene on Oct 11, 2016
    I would be concerned with what it is made of as well as what you intend to paint it with. Both could be of concern for the bird. Definitely pretty.
  • LadySLBenz LadySLBenz on Oct 11, 2016
    As previously mentioned not safe for pets as may contain lead. I have one I put a variety of plants along with climbing ivy using as an open terrarium with tiny white holiday lights for evening and love it ! You can add some silk poinsettia flowers for holiday color.
    • See 1 previous
    • La Leona La Leona on May 17, 2017

      Could you post a picture, I'd love to see it...i have a 1940 bird cage that I'm trying to restore and need some help...My birdies have past and I'm going to use it decoration because it's a beautiful cage

  • Sue Urban Sue Urban on Oct 11, 2016
    May contain lead and also birds perfer cages with corners so they can retreat for comfort and safety. I have had parrots all of my life, wouldn't use this cage.
  • Al Young Al Young on Oct 11, 2016
    repaint it and put a large climbing plant inside it
  • Stunning piece. Glad you bought it. Like others, i would be concerned for the safety of the bird. Best to turn it into some fun decor.
  • Sharon Seiber Sharon Seiber on Oct 11, 2016
    You can look for a safe paint for the cage, and little birds like finches will live happily in the cage. Just make sure you have a place for them to go, such as a tiny little nest.
  • Jbryan200 Jbryan200 on Oct 11, 2016
    have it powder coated
  • Michael Brunson Michael Brunson on Oct 11, 2016
    Powder coating is expensive and not available to all. Clean it with a liquid rust remover/stabilizer that you can get at Gemplers.com after that use a good quality enamel spray paint such as Rust-Oleum. This allows you to lighten the color and have it work with your decor. Use metallic colors to brighten the space around it. Copper is very trendy at this time and gives a very retro feel. Silver paint can either work with industrial or formal. Gold or brass also allow the retro vibe but with a more formal air. To remove the black paint would be a chore. So, after dealing with the rust let your imagination flow. . I would not use it as a bird cage for the reasons mentioned above. But, it would be a lovely focal point with the right plants and maybe some LED uplights such as those found at BangGood.com. Ilike them since they are versatile. This is a wonderful piece. My customers love what I have done with similar pieces.
  • Marian Prio Marian Prio on Oct 11, 2016
    Supreme cruelty: caging beings endowed with wings to fly.
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    • Rosalie Rogers Rosalie Rogers on Jan 10, 2018

      Man is endowed with imagination, using it for good and evil, and we all have to live with the consequences for that endowment. Talk about supreme cruelty to human beings first, please, if you need to comment. I considered your comment inappropriate for this website but felt moved to set you straight a little. This is a crafting website, not a morality forum.

  • Marilou b. Marilou b. on Oct 11, 2016
    I have a very similar cage. Repainted black. Put in a colorful parrot (fake) added a lot of greenery, set it in my patio. Looks very tropical.
  • Penny Penny on Oct 12, 2016
    sand lightly, wash and rinse....spray paint with a lead free paint...if the paint is safe for children, it is safe for birds...i would paint it white and put a couple beautiful canaries in it...the white would make it possible to see the birds better...
  • Janet Louks Hustek Janet Louks Hustek on Oct 12, 2016
    Also, depending on the type of birds, they can be greatly disturbed by things happening outside the windows, especially the two I see in your pic. The reason for a square cage is so you can give them some security in that they have a wall behind them at some point. There are so many tips to tell you if you are a new bird keeper. Loads of sites out there to read. I appreciate you taking the time to care correctly for your birds.
    • Mimi Mimi on Oct 12, 2016
      Thank you for your response. I have great respect for all animals and would never knowingly do anything to harm them. I've never owned any birds before besides chickens so I am proceeding very cautiously with this project. I'm unsure at this point whether I will keep birds in it or use it for something else.
  • Holly Cornish Holly Cornish on Oct 12, 2016
    FYI... You must use a special type of paint... safe for birds. Also.. any rusty spots are a potential poison to birds...
  • Penny Penny on Oct 12, 2016
    well, the prep is still the same no matter what species you put in it...you can't put anything but a real small bird in it because of the size...maybe a parakeet? also, a round cage isn't good for birds, because there isn't a corner for them to go to when startled...a corner makes them feel safe...i have had all kinds of birds my whole life...from canaries, finches to large macaws...i believe i have a little knowledge on this topic....you should research the different species of birds before jumping into it....good luck...
    • Mimi Mimi on Oct 12, 2016
      I plan on doing lots of research before proceeding. Thanks for your reply!
  • Holly Cornish Holly Cornish on Oct 13, 2016
    Knowing the recommended bar spacing for your species. Proper spacing ensures your bird stays safely inside her cage and isn't able to wedge a wing or head partially through. Small Birds: Finch, Canary, Parrotlet, Parakeet, LovebirdRecommended bar spacing: No more than 5/8" Medium Birds: Cockatiel, Conure, Lory, SenegalRecommended bar spacing: 1/2" to no more than 7/8" Large Birds: African Grey, Amazon, Macaw, CockatooRecommended bar spacing: 3/4" to no more than 1-3/8"
  • Toni Toni on May 17, 2017

    It is a very nice cage, however I would not use it for any birds as it could be very harmful to them

  • Desneiges Laws Desneiges Laws on Feb 04, 2021

    Wanting to purchase vintage bird cage any ideas ,would appreciate...thanks