OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Restoring, Customising and Modifying Reel-Type Mowers Just another SB45 resto...

so, I'm down to bare metal and was to get some primer on ASAP.
Any tips for types of paints? clear coats to make it stronger?
Can I get it powder coated? or stick to enamel spray on?
Thanks in advance.

Hi DB,

I would be using a Metal etch Primer and then straight enamel Hammertone. Forget Powder Coating it's not the best on steel where abrasion and piercing of the coating is inevitable and also moisture in between the base metal and the thin plastic coating. Powder Coating is done for ease of production on a mass scale.

Cheers,
BB.

Roger that! shall i go get a gravity fed/pressure spray gun? or just run a can?
I'm happy to buy the gear as i'll use it for other bits and pieces.
I guess if I just go a matte black I can probably get it out of a can, if I go green then spray kit is the go.
hmmmmm

Honestly ?

A good spray gun will always out do a can, but in saying that I've seen some brilliant jobs straight out of a few cans and I'm not referring to beer either.

The thing with using a spray gun is you've got it for life if you look after it correctly. I've had my Iwata W-77 and W-71 guns for 25 years now and they don't look a day over a year old, but that's me I guess. BTW they are both suction guns and were the industry standard for years in the Crash Refinishing Trade.

I'll have to say that I'd really like to see it as a faithful restoration as there aren't too many green tagged Model 45's out there, thus why I thought yours was rather special when I first saw it, but it's your machine and thus your choice.

Cheers,
BB.

For small jobs like this, it's worth considering the smaller suction feed 'touchup guns', if you can still get quality ones. Less paint to mix/thin, lesser consumption of thinners and gunwash, not as demanding on the air supply...

I've had a Samson touchup gun for some years now, and the bigger Samson gun I've had since the 1970's [and it was a secondhand buy from a local panelbeater back then] hasn't seen any use, since I got that one.

I've mainly done motorcycle stuff, but there just may be a mower base repaint in the wings just now!

thanks for the advice lads. I had to get the stripped parts in primer to avoid any rusting, but will look into the small suction feed gun.

BB - now your making me feel bad. I had a bit of practice using some black hammertone (Can) on a piece of scrap steel and it seems to be a bit of an art form in itself. I couldn't get it right.
If I go down the path of chasing the colors (green) then I best practice my technique a bit more otherwise its going to end up pretty crapola.

Hi Dee Bee,

If you are using Hammertone out of a can it can vary between brands, I don't know why but some cans give a better finish while others are just a pain to use.

The W-71 Iwata gun that I use is a 500 ml touch up suction gun while the W-77 is a full 1 litre colour gun. I mostly use the 71 because of the points that Gadge eluded to. The amount of air and paint they shoot is all related around the set up that the gun has. The air cap, needle and nozzle are all part of the critical amount of paint that the gun lets out the front. If you have a No. 3 set up it will use quite a bit of product while a No. 1 set up will give you a finer finish which is more suitable to touch up jobs.

BTW it's not my intention to make you feel bad as that's not my MO, but there are very few Green ID tagged Model 45's in circulation that it would be nice to see a faithful restoration and also it will keep the value of the machine up higher than a modded machine. I guess using the following analogy would be a Monaro restored to original concourse condition opposed to a tubbed out pimped version that's suddenly become worth nothing.

Cheers,
BB.

Samson guns were good in their day but I've always been a fan of Iwata and Devilbiss which is what most Automotive painters used and was their weapon of choice. Now they've all gone to gravity feed guns and this is mainly due to paint costs being so astronomical, so every drop counts and wastage is kept to an absolute minimum, also cleaning is much cheaper as well. I must buy myself one soon but their prices aren't exactly cheap for a quality unit.

BB,
you have talked me into keeping it original!!
So I have everything sitting in etch primer ready to go. (I'll post pics soon)
Now i just need to find some paints/suppliers in Perth......
or maybe just run with some of these....lol
http://varietypaints.com.au/collect...acolor-hammertone-spray-paint-deep-green

I still have not decided on a spray gun, but it seems most prefer the gravity feed over the suction? haha again this all seems like a larger learning curve then the bonnar itself!