Cheap way to coat a mesh cage?

Jellicat

I am finding every store bought cage I have bought for my pet a pain in the bum, so I want to build my own with nice big doors, pull out trays etc. The main problem I'm coming up against is finding a cheap way to coat galvanised mesh to prevent rusting etc. I keeping hearing that Japlac and Plastikote type stuff works well, but it comes in tiny pots and when you are covering big rat and ferret cages in the stuff it doesn't work out cost effective. The paint/varnish needs to be non-toxic, suitable for painting metal and not prone to scratching, although of course it will need to be done every year or so. Or does anyone know of ready-coated mesh that is reasonably cheap.

cybergibbons

I used to make mouse cages from mesh. If you just used plain galvanised wire mesh it rotted pretty badly from mouse wee.

I tried some plastic coated mesh, but the mice made easy work of that. So now I had rusty mesh and mice that had ingested a load of plastic.

So I tried stainless steel mesh. A local company that fabricates chemical engineering stuff used to get lots of small offcuts after cutting circular pieces from squares, and they let me have it for cheap.

Jellicat

Thanks! :beer: How long have you been using the stainless steel mesh for? Any signs of the metal degrading or anything? I know its technically not supposed to rust but I heard it can?

Doom_and_Gloom

Have you thought about buying a different kind of cage? This place sells some good cages at reasonable prices (I'm assumig you have something like rats, chinchillas, ferrets, degus etc). http://www.petworlddirect.co.uk/acatalog/Rodent-and-Rabbit-Cages.html
I have the explorer from this site and it has been amazing. Easy to clean, just the right amount of space on the bars, plenty big enough etc. I really can't fault it. It might be something to think about. Both the cages my partner built for our rats didn't last as long as I had hoped they would. You are more likely better off buying a really good cage than trying to make one unless you are really good at that kind of thing.

Jellicat

The problem is that I can't really find the right sorts of cages to fit the dimensions of the space that I have...I have really low sloping ceilings in the spare bedroom (or animal room lol), as it has an attic conversion. I adore the Explorer cage but it's not going to work for my space sadly Also, I'm looking to build cages for my sugar gliders and ferrets too, and I don't really feel the Explorer is wide enough for them, because they are so active. I was wanting to build a 6ft long fert cage and a 4 foot long sugar glider one. I've pretty much looked at all available cages in the UK and I can't find the right sort of cages. I'm one fussy sod lol :rotfl:. I think with my dad and OH's combined DIY experience I should be OK to build something that will last a decent amount of time. I don't think I'm going to use as much Japlac/Plasti-kote as I thought I was anyway, so I think I'll be OK. Now I just need to find a space to build the flippin' things

timmmers

You can buy plastic spray coating in cans, I think you would need to check for any toxins though if the pet is likely to chew it up?

Jellicat

Yeah, you have to use child-safe stuff, hence Japlac or Plasti-kote stuff.

cybergibbons

Jellicat wrote: »

Thanks! :beer: How long have you been using the stainless steel mesh for? Any signs of the metal degrading or anything? I know its technically not supposed to rust but I heard it can?

It was fine for about 5 years, it quickly loses it's shine, but it doesn't rust. I'm not sure exactly what grade we got as it was offcuts.

Jellicat

Thanks I will look into steel mesh!

YorkiePud_3

I'm having the same trouble finding a decent cage for the baby ferret I found! I'm fussy too ... I want proper solid floors, not mesh or holes and I don't want wooden fittings that have slats in them that are perfect for little critters to get their legs stuck in em!!

But just to big up the stainless steel .... I also have a parrot and am saving up for a stainless steel bar cage as it is supposedly the creme de la creme, hard wearing and safe, so another thumbs up for stainless steel! (It's also the most expensive, too!! Aaarrgghh!!)