How to Paint Bird Feeders

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Things You'll Need

  • Damp cloth

  • Soft pencil

  • Paintbrush

  • Nontoxic paint

You can paint your bird feeder to make it a feature in your garden.

Bird feeders come in many varieties. The main types of seed feeders are tray or platform feeders, hopper feeders and tube feeders. Nectar bird feeders are also popular, especially in areas where hummingbirds reside. You can paint your bird feeder either to blend in with your garden or to make it a noticeable feature. Feeders are commonly made of wood, plastic, metal or glass, so the paints you use will differ depending on the material of your bird feeder.

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Step 1

Select an appropriate paint to use on your bird feeder. Use latex or enamel paint for wood, artist-quality acrylic paint for plastic or metal and glass paint for a glass bird feeder. Select the color or colors of paint according to your tastes and preferences.

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Step 2

Prepare the surface for painting by wiping it down with a damp cloth to remove dust and dirt. Allow the bird feeder to dry before moving on. The amount of drying time required depends on the material of your feeder. Plastic, glass and metal is ready to paint in a minute or two, but wood takes longer.

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Step 3

Mark out any patterns you want to paint on your bird feeder with a soft pencil. If you are painting your feeder one solid color, you can skip this step.

Step 4

Apply the paint to your feeder using a paintbrush. Use an even layer of paint, and try to make each brush stroke in roughly the same direction.

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Step 5

Allow the paint to dry before using your bird feeder. The drying time varies among types and makes of paint, so refer to the manufacturer's instructions if you are unsure.

Tip

Wear a painter's apron or an old outfit while painting to avoid staining good clothes.

Warning

Make sure to choose nontoxic paints to avoid harming birds.

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