OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Restoring, Customising and Modifying Victa Walk-Behind Rotary Mowers Victa 18's

Hi All,
This is my first post.
Iv had these mower for a little while now, and have decided its time to restore one.

What id like to know is which one you guys think is worth restoring.
Would someone be able to tell me the what model they are and what year?

The mower on the left, engine no.
285089
8

Mower on the right
AA16356
2

Also, what sort of paint do you guys use?


Primer/Filler then Acrylic?

Primer/Filler then Enamel?

Any help is much appreciated!

Cheers
Scott

G'day Scott,

Welcome to the forum! I'm pretty new myself, but will pass on what I know. Both mowers look to be Victa "Special" model 5, version 1. The model five was made from 1957-61. As for which one to restore, the mower with the 285 engine number is probably the older, as the AA prefix engine probably comes from a later model. At least thats how I understand it, but there are plenty of guys on here that know loads more about engine numbers, than I.

As for paint, it is generally accepted that Model 5's were painted with hammertone paint in a colour called "Avocado". This was made by Galmet, but they discontinued the colour some time ago. You can still get 1 liter tins of Galmet Hammertone in gun metal, but finding a stockist can be tough. Best to call the company to find your closest retailer. and have it tinted up by your local paint store. The rep at Galmet headquaters claims the closest tint to match the original avocado green is tint code Dulux SS27 (for 1 litre of paint).

As for the handlebars, Wattle do a rattle cans of rust guard in a colour call Deep Brunswick Green. This is probably as close as you will come to the original colour scheme.

As for prepping the surface, sandblast followed by whatever takes your fancy. Both the above products can go straight onto metal I think, but whatever the label says would be best. Hope this helps

Welcome also to the forums Scott . Well said Jonesy...you learn fast! Yes both are model 5s. The left 285,000 /8 is a mid to late run model 5 series 1,and the one id do up also,id put its date at 58-9 and is probably a QLD build. The second AA... is the same but has the wrong engine (later Model). Make 1 from 2 using the best parts? Add an impulse starter and Special badge,spanner and Smiley face choke and she will be a little gem.

Thanks for that unkiemonk.

What material is the deck made out of, alloy, cast?
Im thinking of using a wire brush on a drill or grinder to get the job done. Just dont want to damage the deck.

Does anyone know the paint code I can take to the paint shop and get mixed up? For both avocado and deep brunswick green.

Cheers
Scott

Thanks for that.

What do you mean by smiley face choke?
The big black choke?

You can tell im only new to these old victa's....

Cheers
Scott

Either,The Smiley face choke is the earlier style(check the forums its black with a white top with red Victa and stop start on the top with a brass mech insert).The large black choke was the later style and probably closer to your engine No. The one you have on your mower is the next generation fitted to early 60 series and as a replacement part for the Smiley face assy.

Mixing Formula for Avocardo Green
1 liter of Galmet Hammer tone Gun metal
Plus Dulux tint- 27 units of SS
Or Wattyl tints- 1 Y + 7 units of D

I am useing Mid Brunswick green by Killrust for the handles, and is a near perfect match to the green on the Special Badge.

too many looking for the chokes LOL, and welcome to the forum Scott, by the way do both.

Cheers Jonesy
Iv been wanting to do one for a while now, now I'm on holidays from tafe, I'm gonna get right to it.
Then iv got my grandfathers champion 18 to restore.

So, if I were to give that mix to my local paint supply shop, they will be able to mix it up for me?

Do you know I'd that paint is enamel, or acrylic?

Do you use primer/filler or just primer?

Cheers
Scott

Thats all I did Scott, they did not know they could tint the hammertone and I said just do it, they said if it doesnt work you will still have to pay for the paint, yeah what ever, it works no worries, both paints are enamel, as said before you can get as fussy as you like with the finish useing putties fillers and stuff but they are a cast alloy base and the paint is fairly thick and fills a lot, I got my bases blasted with Garnet so I dont recon you will do much damage with a wire wheel but have not tried it either, why not use paint stripper first???

cheers.

Thanks a lot for the info.
Will get onto the paint store and see if they can do it for me.

Once I get started stripping the mower, I start a new thread with my progress.

Cheers
Scott

Ahh bugger I keep mixing jonesy and Unkiemonk. Confused by too many predictas and specials lols. My appologies Unkiemonk for mixing you up with jonesy in my first post:(

Haha all good mate. Were all here for the same reasons lol

I wasn't going to say anything I was just going to take the glory.

Lmfao....Bows to the model 4 Master* psst Scott...I know someone who has heaos of parts...shhhh.lols