Painting a Bird Table

[browncap]

Hi everyone - this is my first visit to your table

I'm looking for some practical advice about painting an old bird table please.

It is the normal wooden type which had a roof that was rotten so I have removed that and now it just has the open tray on the stand. I have given it a real good clean and disinfected it with 1 part bleach to 10 parts water as per the RSPB advice.

I think it has a few more years life left in it but the tray is really in need of attention and I thought a bit of paint might help seal it from the weather and bird droppings.

Is it safe to paint a table does anyone know?

Failing that, does anyone have any other suggestions as to how I can seal it to make it easier to clean. I did think of covering it with some cooking foil but think that might scare the birds and would probably be a nightmare trying to change it when the weather is bad.

Any help much appreciated.

[artdemole]

Some may recommend that you leave it untreated.But you could use fenceguard or sadolin.

[browncap]

Originally Posted by artdemole

Some may recommend that you leave it untreated.But you could use fenceguard or sadolin.

Ah I did wonder if it might not be suitable.
Thanks for the reply, much appreciated.

[ricwine]

Teak oil would be my recommendation. Its not a varnish but a waterproofer.

Wilko Traditional Teak Oil Interior & Exterior 1l at Wilkinson Plus

A bottle can range from a few pounds upto about ten. It highlights the natural pattern of the wood as well. Im not aware that is toxic and i think is some kind of natural plant oil. You can brush or simply rub it on with a cloth.

Job done !!

Richard

[browncap]

Thanks Richard
I do have some teak oil as it happens. I use it on my garden furniture. I'll definitely give it a go if it doesn't hurt my birds.

p.s
Have just taken delivery of a bird bath/table made in plastic which is working really well at the moment. It is a bit lightweight but the birds love it and it is so much easier to clean......what a great pity the manufacturers dont come up with more designs in plastic or some sort of easy clean resin. I searched the internet and only found this one design.

Ornamental Bird Bath and Table :: Garden Centre Online

[Kayleigh]

Originally Posted by browncap

Thanks Richard
I do have some teak oil as it happens. I use it on my garden furniture. I'll definitely give it a go if it doesn't hurt my birds.

p.s
Have just taken delivery of a bird bath/table made in plastic which is working really well at the moment. It is a bit lightweight but the birds love it and it is so much easier to clean......what a great pity the manufacturers dont come up with more designs in plastic or some sort of easy clean resin. I searched the internet and only found this one design.

Ornamental Bird Bath and Table :: Garden Centre Online

Looks like the seeds will fall into the water. I would prefer to have the feeder and water separate,
The bigger birds might find it difficult to get under the feeder to bath.
But its what you like..

[browncap]

I never put seeds on a table - I have 4 different holders specifically for seeds so this isn't a problem for me.

I also have a dedicated bird bath and 2 small ground baths for smaller birds so I dont fill this one up with water.

Any food that falls off the green plastic table lands in the large bowl and not on the ground so keeps the area cleaner and the birds have no problem getting to the food in either area. It is proving very popular with all of my visitors so far.

Anyone thinking of buying one I would happily recommend it. I am not all that good at putting flat pack things together normally but managed this one on my own despite the instructions being fairly basic. It does have an ornamental plastic bird sitting in the top feeder which can be left off to provide more space but at the moment the robins and smaller birds are quite enjoying sitting on its head!

I can hose it out daily if necessary and it is lovely knowing it is clean and fresh for the birds.