To replace or refurbish a cage?

[kittyhazelton]

Why is it that all these cages I see out there listed "for macaws" are almost 1/2 of what I would consider appropriate for a bird with lots of out-of-cage time?
Ugh, so the cage my Macaw came with is 4'X3'X6', she spends maybe about 4hrs during the day in it between when my boyfriend leaves for work and when I get home, then sleeps in it during the night. This seems "ok" for her cause she's got lots of toys and foraging stuff to do during those 4 hours (and generally just spends the time sleeping and preening anyway) most of the time the door is just open for her to go in/out as she pleases.
The only thing I don't like about this cage is the COLOR. It's a dark green color which I don't like dark colors because they just seem so "gloomy" & I'd really like to get her a lighter cage. Unfortunately cost is an issue (I don't have a spare $800 right now to buy a new cage) and I cannot justify spending almost $300 to have it sandblasted and re-powder coated either (Plus then I'd need something for her temporarily while that happened anyway)
What other options for re-painting ar there? I've used child-safe nontoxic paint for cages for all sorts of other critters with no issue (not with hookbills though). I know to watch out for any paints that contain zinc or lead, that to be careful not to spray too thick to prevent chipping, etc. Does anyone have a suggestion on a particular brand of paint I could use to brighten up this dark cage? Or am I stuck either getting a new one or paying to have it sandblasted and powder-coated?

[kittyhazelton]

Oh, and of course the other option would be to make my boyfriend give up his office space & let me convert it into the "bird room"... but don't see that happening any time in the immediate future.

[Cage Cleaner]

Ty

[Polarn]

I must agree with cage cleaner the cage my neighbours has for their budgies and cockatiels is white, the room looks brighter and less gloomy i must say, however looking at the birds through the bars is quite hard on the eyes. dont know if birds has the same feeling looking out as well or if their perception of colours is somewhat different from ours, or perception of contrast.... I have my cage in antique grey hammercoat look finnish (powdercoated tho) and find it alot easier to look through. but then hmm my bars are thicker and wider apart than theirs... but even when walking in a store selling cages i find the white ones hard on the eyes.