[omaybelle]

Hey everyone - I usually come on asking a whole bunch of questions....but recently I was wanting to paint a "new" used bird cage and wasn't sure exactly how to do it safely. Not finding much info on the internet I contacted RUSTOLEUM and KRYLON. Below is the answer I got from each of them regarding the safety of their products on a birdcage.

RUSTOLEUM:
I understand your concern about the safety of our products. Let me first assure you that our products are lead free and are completely non-toxic when fully dry. We do have a few zinc-rich products, but these are boldly stated on the can that they are a zinc compound. I’m certain that our products would be safe for use with birds, as people frequently will paint birdcages with our enamels.

Just two concerns with the application:

First, in order to ensure that the paint has fully cured, I would wait at least a 7-10 days, in good drying conditions, before exposing the animal(s) to the paint. Washing down the surface after a week is also a good idea, just to ensure that all the solvents are off the surface.

Second, I would recommend that you do not use the metallic products. While they will be non-toxic as well, many of them have a leafing pigment in them, which can result in a metallic ruboff, even after the paint is dry.

Thank you again for taking the time to contact us. We appreciate your confidence in Rust-Oleum products. If you need further assistance, please feel free to contact our Product Support Department at 1-800-782-3369 or through our web site, www.rustoleum.com.

Jason



KRYLON:
Thank you for contacting the Krylon website.

We do not recommend the application of our Krylon paint to
anything but "decorative" birdcages that will not be occupied.
After speaking with several veterinarians and other bird
experts, we were advised that birds are extremely sensitive to
low levels of materials for a very long time. Since we do not
have any data to determine when the cage would be safe to
occupy after off-gassing is complete, and we do not know which
paint is considered "safe," we do not recommend our paints for
application to birdcages after purchase.


Thanks again for your inquiry. Please let us know if you have
any other questions or concerns.

Sincerely,
Eric
Krylon Product Support

I copied and pasted these emails into this message but if anyone would like me to send them the original, I'd be happy to do so.


2 thumbs up for RUSTOLEUM!!!

[Carrie~Anne]

Thanks for this little bit of information. I know we get quite a number of questions regarding painting bird cages. I would suggest contacting an avian vet and getting a second opinion on the rustoleum.

[Joanne's Animal Kingdom]

I have also been told that Rustoleum was safe after it was completly dry - at least 7-10 days. I have only used it on an outside cage that is only used occassionaly so I am not as worried about fumes but I waited about 3 weeks before letting anyone in it and I did wash it down and rinse it before using it.

I know rustoleum is what we use to repaint the dog cages but they are not as sensitive to things as our birds.

[Dolly's Mom]

Thanks for the info.

[Jade+Buddysmom]

I too contacted rustoleum with this list of criteria that must be followed in order for a bird safe paint job. They could not assure me their paint fit this criteria. Here is what you need to find for a bird safe paint...I have been looking and so far no luck. Please don't risk it. Its not worth it......

The paint you choose

• Should not contain lead, zinc or chromate
• Is "high adhesion", formulated to bond with the metal surface
• Is hard-wearing
• Is fast drying

Many brands will have a picture of a baby crib or a mother holding a child - look for indicators such as these