I think you're right Seanoss.
Besides, I've already done a lot of work mending cracks and straightening out the bent in front skirt.
This is a refurbishment, not a restoration and I fully intend to actually use it, something I won't do with a renewed looking mower. I'm confident it'll be a sound well sorted machine. I even want to keep it's assigned catcher despite having a metal patch on the side which I will paint matching black.

I don't want to lose sight of my aim. It's a tidy up so I can feel proud when I'm cutting the grass.

Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!