OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Restoring, Customising and Modifying Reel-Type Mowers Scott Bonnar 45 Restoration and Decals

Hi all,

I'm about to start my first Scott Bonnar project and I've been chasing the decals for the catcher, handle bar plate and engine. I've bought some of the ones on ebay but I'm a little disappointed with the quality (they're great value but I'd gladly pay more if they were better). I've just received the early winged type decals but the old faded ones on the machine appear to be gold against the red and black - the reproductions are more of a yellow colour. Can anyone confirm the original colour? Is there another source for them?

Thanks, Michael

Hi rolla16v, as far as I know, the SB decals that are sold on eBay, are the only ones available at this time. Until these were produced, we used to have to mask around the originals when repainting.
From what I am led to believe, reproducing gold and silver on vinyl decals is very hard to do....so substitute colours are used...beige for gold and grey for silver etc.

For your records, the original colour was gold.
If you have any luck finding some decals closer to the originals, please let us know here.

Thanks very much for your response Deejay. If it's definitely gold I can have them made. I've used a local sign writer in the past to reproduce some rocker cover decals on a car that had chrome and brushed alloy finishes and he got them spot on. I just wanted to make sure there wasn't another source before I had them specially made.

Here's the chrome one I had made from an automotive vinyl. (looks a little blue but that's just the reflection)

Hi again Rolla, here is a pic of the original winged decal on my Model 17 Supercut grassbox....as you can see the gold runs around the entire edge of the decal as well as the centre 'saw blade' image...

Hoping this helps mate,

That's great Deejay, thanks again I'll take your picture and the reproduction with me to give the sign writer something to go by.

No probs Rolla, please let us know how you get on.

I thought I'd get a picture of my machines and show everyone what I have to work with. The two rovers are my daily drivers. The other three I would like to practice restoring. All are good runners except for the kirby which had been left to sit outside in the weather for some years. I have reasonably good catchers for all and another machine for parts. So far I've spent $390 to get all of these, although one of the rovers was given to me by my father.

Cheers, Michael

Nice Collection!

Wow Rolla, That's quite the Collection!

Kori

Thanks guys, I think/hope they're a good base to start with

Hi again Rolla, that is a great collection of Rover/Scott Bonnars mate, and to have another machine for parts is a fabulous bonus.
The second Rover from the left appears to have the 8 blade cylinder reel and should do a great job on your lawn.
If so, that would make it a 20" cut. Good score there!

Thanks Deejay, the second from the left is my main mower that I've had for a few years. It's a 17" cut and was initially a 6 blade like the others but I've since upgraded it to a 10 blade. I actually pulled the reel out today to go off for sharpening I use it on my back lawn - which I take a little more care on so it's nice for the kids to play on. I have a large step and some stones between the front and rear yards so I keep one in the garage out the front and the other round the back so I don't have to drag the mower across them.

Ultimately I'd like to sell the 6 blade rover and change to a 14" scotty as my front yard is only small.

Cheers, Michael

Thanks Michael for your reply, and obviously my observation was way off the mark....but in my defence, I can't see all the blades...Well, that's my story and I'm sticking to it!
A 10 bladed 17" will give you hours of mowing pleasure...
By the way....a 17" Scotty is absolutely fine on a small lawn....mine is the living proof!
Best Wishes,

In regards to stickers there is a guy on the central coast in new who specialises in making Oem repro stickers, he has full Scott Bonnar sets, even rover thoroughbred sets. It's quality stuff I've used him for my restos

Hi Reelgrinder, and a warm welcome to OutdoorKing. It's great to have you aboard.
Thanks for the heads up on these stickers, I will PM you for details.
Once again to the forum.

Thanks for your reply Reelgrinder, I'd like to know some details also...

I'm considering painting in a slightly different colour to factory and once I lose that originality, I may as well just paint the emblems on. I'd love to see and know more about their decals though!

Also on the subject of decals, I ordered a set of the Briggs decals from a seller in the US and I must say I'm quite happy with their quality. Big difference when put side by side with the cheaper ones.

Well I came across a little 14" for sale and I couldn't help myself

I absolutely love this little machine, so happy with it! For an early solid deck model it's been well looked after. The little 2hp briggs appears to be original and is dated July '69. The catcher is rust free and reasonably straight. It's obviously had a tank and carby change at some point and the original decal on the cowling has been replaced (can still see the outline of the original though). This one will definitely get a thorough restoration to original condition once I've had a practice on my 17's.

Cheers, Michael

Hi Michael and on a good score there. That would be one of the tidiest 14" Scotties in original condition that I have seen (apart from the tank and carby), but that can be remedied....it's a little ripper!!

Thanks Darryl!

I've made up my mind on which machine to start on and today I've begun to strip it. This is how it looked before hand..







Looking forward to getting into it


I rescued this Victa 18 Special in a terrible state a little while ago... So I painted it (the wrong colours, I know) but I'm not sure what to do with it now . I don't want to spend any money sourcing parts for it...

Hi Michael, you could always turn the base into a great clock for the man-cave!
It looks great, mate.