OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Restoring, Customising and Modifying Paint and Decals Advice on Painting a mid 80's Victa Deck and Handles

Hi Guys

Now that its winter and the grass doesnt grow I was thinking of painting my mid 80's victa as close to its original red Victa colour - photo attached

A lot of paint on the side of the deck is coming away and it will rust more.

I was also thinking about re-painting the handles black.

My rough thinking was:

1) take off the blade, engine then handles
2) hit it with a wire brus on the drill or angle grinder
3) then a 120 flap desk on the angle grinder
4) then spray with some sort of rust inhibitor
5) final spray paint

What brand and type of paint should I use ?
What brand of rust inhibitor ?

Any other suggestions as Ive never done before .

Thanks in advance

Hi Ted12,
that sounds like a plan. I did a basic rub down with medium grit sand paper and used phosphoric acid rust converter on the rusty sections and left overnight.
Then used one of those paint + prime two in one cans of colour like what Rustolium sell in their 2X range. British Paints and White Knight (??) have similar products a bit cheaper but I was told the more expensive Rustoleum gives better coverage. I found a colour in the BP version that was a perfect match to the original Victa light grey and went with that to great satisfaction. Don't lose sight oh the fact it's a mower, not a car, so don't worry of the finish is well short of mirror finish in certain light, it will still look 100 times better than before!!

Thanks Mowerfreak , Im actually restoring a cast iron Dawn vice as we speak ( will post some photos next week) and I used this Rustolium and found quite good.

https://www.bunnings.com.au/rust-oleum-340g-gloss-ultra-cover-2x-spray-paint-colonial-red_p1580688

Ive never bought a rust converter, did you use something like this ?

Also on the underside of the deck did you still just use the rust converter plus primer / paint or something else ?

https://www.bunnings.com.au/bondall-250ml-ranex-rustbuster-rust-converter_p1560855

Thanks

Morning Ted12,
I use Rustolium because it doesn't dissolve after it dries and petrol is spilt of it....
There's often a fuel leak spill etc.
speedy

Thanks Speedy

Hey Ted12,
Thats an electric start, does it kick over. I sold mine. didn't use the ES, just pull start, the work is on here somewhere.
And I paint the underside if there's spare paint, or paint it black or that Aldo steel paint. The paint gets blasted off is there's any sand in the lawn.
cheers
speedy

Thabks speedy. Re electric start, it does work but there is something wrong with the charging circuit. If i charge the battery with a car battery charger it will work. But after awhile the battery drains and doesnt get enough charge to recharge. Bit odd. I just use the pull start

Hi Ted.
I don't think there was a charging system on them and if there was one I have never seen it and I have had a bucket load of electric start ones here

Hi Norm

I havent really pulled it apart but I did read this thread on the forum below that seemed to suggest on the second page it has a charging system, Im guessing its something like those dynamos i had on my push bike when i was a kid that charged from running on the rim.

This link gets in to some heavy electronics above my level.

https://www.outdoorking-forum.com.au/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=53219

Well there you go, I have never taken any notice of the setup before I just rip the starter off, make a plate to cover the bit where the starter bolts on and good to go. I have a pile of starter motors and wiring looms I might have a look at to see if I can see the diode and how it works. I never bother with the electric start as the cost of a battery is an added cost to a mower that I don't need and when the motor is running correctly they are easy to pull start

Spot on Norm, should always start first or second pull

Ok, I am amazed. I always thought you had to take the thing near a power point every so often

Never had one either - only ever have to give the cord half a flick and they normally fire up.

I had a Victa with a key start Briggs Quantum and it kept itself charged I did notice that.

Goos to see you doing this mower up.
I am doing up a cammando v40 at the moment. Striped to bare base. I will be sandblasting I didn't get good results with the steel disc on angle grinder

I must have a thorough look at this charging system to see just how it works. The ride on Briggs etc use a stator ring around the fanwheel in a similar style that motorcycles use, not sure how Victa got it to charge. I haven't seen how Briggs did it on their push mower motors

I'd be curious to know how it works NormK, I just know it somehow keeps it charged.

Thanks Tjames, I dont have a lot of time as Ive got a little one at home but I will work on it over the next month or so. I would sandblast but I dont have the gear to sandblast, down the track Id like to get sandblast equipment. Be good to see some of the photos of your restoration, before , during and after

That's fine
I'm no expert and far from experienced with mowers but I'm a fast learner. Steep wheel on drill or grinder as been effective for me no doubt but I think those gun type sandblasting guns you get from supercheap are nifty. They hold about 600ml of grit.
I will be sharing so keep an eye out.

Looking forward to seeing your results