Wire cage rusting
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Wire cage rusting
by Kaelico Fri 15 Sep 2017, 6:09 pm
I have an old wire cage that I was thinking of using for mice but I noticed that near the corners on a few of the wires, the protective coating has worn off and the metal underneath is a little bit rusted. Does this make the cage unsafe to use? I'm assuming rust isn't safe for mice to ingest if they happen to chew on the bars. Is there any way to get rid of the rust or should I just buy a new cage? I'm not sure how to upload pictures or else I would.
Kaelico- New Member
- Join date : 2017-09-15
Posts : 6
Re: Wire cage rusting
by CallaLily Sun 17 Sep 2017, 8:46 am
I saw this thread the other day but I didn't have an answer for you. Bumping today in hopes that someone else does. 
CallaLily- Hero Member
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Re: Wire cage rusting
by Peachy Sun 17 Sep 2017, 10:00 am
Removing rust from wheels and cages is pretty easy, but it will come back if you leave it bare, so you'd have to do it every time you clean or whenever it's needed. I just keep up with it until I can splurge for a new one.
I take off rust with aluminum foil (there are other ways too, but I always know where the foil is! lol) and then wash it well.
I take off rust with aluminum foil (there are other ways too, but I always know where the foil is! lol) and then wash it well.
Peachy- Moderator
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Re: Wire cage rusting
by CallaLily Sun 17 Sep 2017, 12:21 pm
@Peachy, could repaint it in something safe? I know some reptile keepers that clean and repaint rusty mesh lids...but with mice it would definitely have to be something safe since they chew so much. Plastikote?
CallaLily- Hero Member
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Posts : 3937
Re: Wire cage rusting
by Peachy Sun 17 Sep 2017, 1:45 pm
I actually looked into this previously when I wanted a pink wheel. 
I have no experience with Plastikote, but a bird forum recommended a child safe Rustoleum spray paint to touch up bars that birds have peeled and scratched. I did experiment on a wheel, spent forever sanding and priming, but it wasn't perfect. Not sure that I would do a whole lot of a cage, but the ends of bars would probably be fine.
I have no experience with Plastikote, but a bird forum recommended a child safe Rustoleum spray paint to touch up bars that birds have peeled and scratched. I did experiment on a wheel, spent forever sanding and priming, but it wasn't perfect. Not sure that I would do a whole lot of a cage, but the ends of bars would probably be fine.
Peachy- Moderator
- Join date : 2016-04-06
Posts : 3167
Re: Wire cage rusting
by Kaelico Mon 18 Sep 2017, 6:15 pm
Thanks for all your help. I decided not to use that cage anyways so I won't have to deal with the rust. I dug up a bin cage that I built a few years ago that's also a lot bigger, so I'll be using that instead.
Kaelico- New Member
- Join date : 2017-09-15
Posts : 6
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