metal bird bath losing its finish

5 years ago

I have a lovely pedestal bird bath that I got years ago from Virginia Metalcrafters. Over the past few years, the finish on the interior of the bowl has begun flaking off. I am stymied as to how to fix this -- would spray paint (for metal) be the way to go?

Patina is one thing, this is just unattractive!

Featured Answer

Eileen

5 years ago

Metal bird baths are often made from cast aluminum. I've had two and the finish chips. We brought one to a metal recycler and was told it was cast aluminum.

It needs to be restored. There are videos online but my concern is whether the final finish is safe for birds.

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Comments (8)

maifleur03
5 years ago
Do you know what it is made of? Without that it is hard to make suggestions. Even if you spray painted you would need to sand off the edges where it is flaking and it might be easier although not cheaper to have a metal works company or metal arts company look at it.

I too have a birdbath that is flaking but the base metal looks better than the finish that is on it.
roxanna7 thanked maifleur03
roxanna7
Original Author
5 years ago
I believe the bowl is cast aluminum, and the column base is iron. The base is in fine shape, it is the bowl which is flaking...
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ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
5 years ago
a pic or two would really help and then maybe would can hone in on what the metal is ... alum doesnt sound right .. it would pit .. but maybe thats what you are seeing ..

you might be best off polishing it with a wire wheel.. rather than painting it ...

if it is aluminum ... or however the british insist on saying or spelling it ... airplane paint might be an alternative.. though i have no clue what that is ... lol

ken
roxanna7 thanked ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
ci_lantro
5 years ago
No, ordinary spray paint (even one for metal) in a rattle can won't work. Won't hold up to constant submersion. As well as being potentially toxic to birds.

Yes, we need pictures.
roxanna7 thanked ci_lantro
Eileen
5 years ago
Doing a little more research, I've found that originally these are powder-coated. I've read advice to take metal outdoor objects to an auto repair shop to have them sand-blasted and powder-coated. I have an antique cast iron bench that I'd like to have done but I haven't looked into it yet.
roxanna7 thanked Eileen
User
5 years ago
I have two metal birdbaths. I used Krylon fusion spray paint for the bowls....it's pretty tough. Just give it a quick sanding first.
roxanna7 thanked User
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
5 years ago
it might be suggested. that you guys need more plants .. if you have nothing more to do than worry about the inside of your fowl bowl ... do visitors really walk up and suggest you are failure because your bird poop water bowl isnt pretty ... thats the point where i might try to drown them in the bowl.. and then escort them from the property with my boot .. and cross them off the visitor or friend list ...

hey.... can you get a plastic bowl.. and just set it in the old bowl.. and call it done ...

omg.. look at the first pic at the link below ... i though i was doing a comedy riff and some joker is way ahead of me .... and she's recycling also .. rotflmbo ... ill be chuckling about that all day ...

thank you detroit.. you been a great crowd ...

ken

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=saucer+sled+in+birdbath&t=ffnt&iar=images&iax=images&ia=images