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

I look forward to seeing them Michael, they will be good for the archives.

Well I've had a change of mind and decided not to match the original colour. There's something about hammertone that I can't warm to so I've decided to go for something custom. I found it hard to get a photo that shows the true colour without the clear giving too much reflection, it's a lot darker in the flesh - closer to a brunswick green





And some reels...



More photos soon

Hey Rolla, That colour looks great and the reels fantastic!
mate on a great job so far.
Please keep the pics coming.

Thanks Darryl!

A couple more pics

In primer -


And basecoat -


It's too humid here today to continue so the clear will have to wait

Cheers, Michael

Wow! Michael, that looks great...this mower will look better than a bought one when it is finished.

Thanks Darryl, I appreciate your encouragement!

Got the chance to clear this morning, quite satisfied with the result. Just needs a light polish and wax once it's reassembled. It's not really a restoration now but I do prefer the more modern finish.

Wow! Rolla, that colour is great....I particularly like a solid colour....Well done; and keep the pics coming, this resto is going to be brilliant!!

Cheers mate,

It's not quite solid, there's a very subtle amount of fine metallic but obviously hard to see in the pics. I think the balance is just right.

I have to get the reel off for sharpening and there's a 2 week wait for the local chrome plater so I'll probably start stripping the next machine while I'm waiting. I'll have to pick another colour too

Thanks, Michael

Hi Michael, please keep a record of your paint formula, I expect we will get future SB restorers asking for it....It looks great!
I gather you will taking your soleplate complete with the bedknife attached to the engineer who does your spin-grinds?

Hi Darryl,

Yes definitely taking soleplates with bedknives attached for sharpening, I have 5 altogether. I've always let them decide if the bedknife needs replacing or not and I remember reading some of your advice that changing bedknifes is a job for professionals only.

As for the paint, it's called Sherwood Green Metallic. I believe it's a late 70's Ford colour. The Ford code is 'Z' and it's also available off the shelf in the Power Plus range of Aerosols (usually found in Autobarn and Supercheap). The Power Plus code is PK7110 for the large can or PJ7110 for the small. I'm sorry but I don't have the formula for the tinters. I doubt I'll end up keeping the first few restos that I do, so I wanted the future owner to be able to touch up their machines if they get scratched.

Hope this helps!

Cool, thanks mate....all good for the archives,
Thanks again,

Definitely a ford colour, I had a XC falcon GS 351 auto in the exact same colour for a while once.

Hi Joe, I was just thinking that if I ever decide to respray the Model 17 Supercut electric, that colour might look pretty cool...especially against the fire engine red counter-shaft and cylinder reel.

Thanks for confirming that Joe, it's good to know that the colour is from the same vintage as the mower

The green would've suited the XC nicely too!

It's been a busy week so I haven't had the opportunity to do much on the 45. Engine is slowly coming along however...

No updates yet with the resto, I've been so busy lately that I haven't done much in the way of reassembly. I went to check out some print samples of the decals today and I'm quite happy with the results. Just waiting on a quote before going ahead.

Couldn't say no to this SB45 today either for $50. Not sure what I'll do with it yet, it's in reasonable shape so I might tidy it up, otherwise it'll come in very handy for parts.

Got some great news this week that the early Scott Bonnar decals with the gold outline and sawblade logo can be reproduced along with the Briggs engine decals that contain gold and silver. Hope to have some samples soon


...and Darryl you were right about them being hard to do!

How's the build coming along Rolla ? She is shaping up to be a ripper !

It's all but done mate, I've just been too busy (ok lazy) to finish the last few bits and pieces. I've just had a look at your progress though, and I'm inspired to get it done!

Desperate for a pic Michael lol
P.s where do you find all the cheapskate SB's?

Hi Mike, the answer to that is sunny Queensland of course!

I have some time up my sleeve next week, so I'll bring the resto 45 home from work and finish it off (and post the pics)

I've acquired plenty more SB45's lately also. I have 6 17's and 5 14's at the moment. I just picked up another solid deck 14" this morning from an elderly gentleman that purchased it brand new in 1970 and has had it in storage since 1982! He even had the original instructions for both the mower and the Briggs as well as a full colour sales brochure for the Scott Bonnar domestic range of the time. Written in pencil next to the pictures are the prices of the mowers back then!

Darryl is probably spot on regarding the concentration of cylinder mowers once you get a bit further north. You have to be prepared to chase them if you want them also - today's pickup was a 3hr round trip.

As for the decals, I looked at the first round of proofs last week and they were very close, just needed a few adjustments. It's some serious money for screen printing if you want the authentic gold and silver colours of the original mower and engine decals. I really hope it's worth it

Hi Michael, I would like to see a copy of the original instructions for both the mower and the Briggs as well as the full colour sales brochure for the Scott Bonnar domestic range of the time. It would be great for the History archive. Could you please post them here mate?
Thanks Michael,

No problems Darryl, unfortunately the Briggs instructions is starting to fall apart and has some holes. The others are quite good and the colour brochure is in excellent condition. There is also a fitting instructions flyer for the edger attachment. I will scan them all tomorrow and post. If you'd like some hi-res copies, just let me know.

Michael

Clearly my thongs and singlet attire is not in line with the cowboy theme SB45 owners should be mowing with

Here is the first half of the brochure...

Michael, you are a legend, some hi-res copies might very well come in handy mate....Great Pics mate!
I especially like the cowboy attire mate!!
Great pics of the early model differences, including some Briggs info grumpy and I have been researching, the Briggs 2.25HP silver on the 14" machine.

They also show (as I have maintained all along) that Scott Bonnar did not paint the rear rollers of the Model 45, however Rover (Australia) Ltd. did!

I am trying to complete the history of Scott Bonnar; to compliment the work that Grant (willingworker on ODK) has done, and as you know, SB material is pretty thin on the ground as a lot of the old archives were destroyed when Rover (Australia) Ltd. took over....It wasn't Rover's fault, SB thought no one would be interested! How wrong they were.
Thanks again Michael,

Too easy Darryl, I'll post the other documents later today. Here is the rest of the brochure.

Hi again Michael, and ODK members,

This information is pure gold mate for the archives, it shows at least 2 things we have been wanting to know for ages....
(1) The Model 40-0215 Cordless Electric (Battery powered) has the 'white battery box' as standard...and had an optional battery charger (4 amps @ 12V) available.

(2) The 2 Stroke Model 35-0609 was in the line-up in 1968 with the elusive 'Magister' condenser discharge ignition system fitted to Scott Bonnars model 201 engine!

Michael, and many thanks for sharing!

Glad to help mate

Here is the edger instructions..

Here's a couple of pics of the mower. There's a bit of surface rust but the sprockets are good and the engine runs ok considering the amount of time it has sat.