Picked up a cage tonight from someone on Freecycle. Only cost me $20. Has 3 levels, 2 doors, slide out metal pan, and resembles a Martins Rat Highrise in appearance, don't know about size. My only complaints are how filthy the woman let it get (I used 10 SOS pads and STILL have crap to scrub off) and it's kinda rusty. It's not going anywhere near my ratties until I've done my absolute best and I'm satisfied. This means at least 2 more boxes of SOS pads.

All I can think of is how I'm going to decorate it.. All the hammocks and tubes and pouches, oh my! It's hands down the best part of cages. I'm not so sure about the quality of the latches so I'll take closeups of those and hopefully someone will have some advice. They're kinda springy and any nosy rat could squeeze their way out.

Pictures are soon to come!

This was actually going to be my next question! Thanks for the info on the paint, my mom and I assumed that would be the case. I'm almost done cleaning it and I've devised a plan to make shelf liners.

I've scrubbed it up again and my parents keep asking me "WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO THIS WITH CAGE?". It clearly wasn't well maintained and thrown outside once the rats who lived in it were given away so there are signs of rusting. Kendra kindly suggested kid-safe paint. Can anyone suggest brands that they've used or know of? Preferably spray paint of course to make my job easier. *Lazy*

Update on the paint job:
I just e-mailed http://www.metalworkspowdercoating.com/ to get a quote on powder coating.

I've already clipped the ramps off with wire cutters because they were freaking disgusting.

I don't think the doors are super rattie safe. The latches seem to be on springs and if they pushed hard enough they could squeeze out. Does anyone have any suggestions to secure the large door better? The small one holds up pretty good against pressure. It's 36 high, 18 deep, 24 wide. Here are the pictures:

Front:
Back:
Latch:
Rusting:


I'd also love to line the floor with something. Those wires look uncomfortable and if I wouldn't walk on it, neither will my rats. Any suggestions? I've considered stick on tiles but wouldn't pee seep through the cracks? Are they removeable?

Martin's sells the little metal rings for cheap if you wanted to replace those.  Not a bad find for $20.  It's very similar in style and size to my 695.  Have fun decorating!!!

The estimate came back on the cage and it'll cost $10 to sandblast the rust and $10 to powder coat it black. It's such a nice sized cage I was really hoping it would work out. Gosh I'm all excited now.

Now the large matter at hand is the latches. I can't have any escapes, it wouldn't be safe in my house with 5 dogs and 3 cats. Kendra, if you can explain to me how those latches work or even show me examples that would be fabulous. In the meantime I'm going to do my own snooping. Weee!

That new door looks fantastic! I like the idea to put another cage on top.

For 2 latches + shipping from Martins it would cost 22$. I found another website that has latches but before I get my heart set on anything again, here's the link: http://www.bunnyrabbit.com/price/cagequip2.htm I like the heavy duty T latch. Does anyone know anything about them?

If I wanted to snip all the c-rings would wire cutters do the trick? Remmy isn't a chewer so it would be worth a try. Would it be hard to put back together? It would probably be easier for the guys to powder coat it in pieces to make sure they get all the nooks and crannies.

Going to a hardware store sounds like a good idea, we have one in town. My stepdad actually tinkered with the latches this morning and turned them around, if you know what I mean. It's clear now that when the lady put the cage together she did it the wrong way. So maybe I can keep these latches. I'm so excited to have it coated. My stepdad said I should leave the c-rings on to be sandblasted and coated. He's the mr-fix-it-know-it-all soooo I guess I'll listen to him. It doesn't mean that later on I can't clip them off and do it the ziptie way if I want to.

Argh, very true but my stepdad was nice enough to offer to take it in for me today so I don't have time. Call me impatient but I need it ready ASAP for my new boys.

Not yet but I hope it'll be ready on Monday. I'm over at my friends house who I'm getting my new baby boys from so I picked them out! One male has already been named Puzzle. I have tons of pictures of all 18 babies to upload to photobucket later to show everyone.

That looks great!  I can't wait to see it decorated and with babies!

looks great!

It looks awesome! 

MiniMuffin - Cages should be powder-coated.  If they are galvanized, the urine pits them and they smell awful.  The vast majority of cages you see pictures of here on the forum (Martin's cages, etc.) are powder-coated.

It truly does not even look like the same cage.  You must be thrilled with your new treasure    Please do post pictures when you get all of y