Hi everyone. New to the lawn scene, but it seems like ISO rules have really given me more time to look after the lawn. Couple of weeks ago I took the plunge and brought myself Rover 45. It still has all it's factory parts which was what I was after. According to the owner, his never even sharpened the blades. They moved onto an acreage many years ago, when they brought a ride on mower for grass duties. So it's been sitting in his shed collecting dust for over 10 years.
Just planning on getting the blades sharpened, and perhaps tend to any parts need TLC. According to the motor it's a 07/05/2004 model =)
Grass deflector and chain case cover definitely needs some TLC. So I took them out and started to strip them down. The deflector has so much rust!!!
I'm still trying to get all the rust of the deflector, but Bunnings is closed for ANZAC day, so I can't go buy anything to help me. Progress so far with the tools I had already lying around.
Chain cover was in much better condition. Just cosmetic damage.
Any recommendations on what sort of paint to use? Spray Can ideally, since I don't have a compressor or spray gun.
Well it seems as though you've managed to find a fairly good honest mower that's not had any bodgey work or modification made to it.
What you have there is the very last variant of the Rover Model 45 with the rearward facing clutch lever opposed to the earlier forward pointing made unit.
I've got to ask you how did you manage to get the powder coating off so easily as that's the big bugbear with these Rovers, yes they can look good but underneath all that powder coating lurks heaps of metal cancer just waiting to surprise you.
A electrolysis bath would remove all that rust on the deflector really nicely and thoroughly to the core.
I'm sure you're aware of one of these as I feel you've read my thread on that rusty verti-cutter I built and commented on at the end ?
Ultra-Colour make a pretty close Red in a spray can that will match up nicely to the rest of the machine.
Cheers, BB.
I live a 24 Hour lifestyle, but every now and again I seem to fall asleep, well at least that's what my wife tells me.
I'll dig the tin out and put up a photo of it so that you can identify with it.
I'm somewhat gobsmacked that paint stripper removed the powder coating that easily as PC is normally a devil of a product to work with, especially the removal of it.
Cheers, BB.
I live a 24 Hour lifestyle, but every now and again I seem to fall asleep, well at least that's what my wife tells me.
BB, I had a Victa the other day that I was able to just pull the powder coat off in big sheets, obviously the base must have not been cleaned before the pc was applied, it was the worst I have ever seen
Just took a trip to Bunnings and got everything needed for the electrolysis bath. Unfortunately have some errands to do and can’t set it up till tonight. Will take plenty of pics of the process.
Not quite sure why you're using pool salt though as it should be alkaline and caustic bases are best in this situation.
This. I don't currently run an electrolysis bath [the molasses bath works really well for the stuff I do], but Soda Ash, also from the Pool Supplies section, would be my choice of alkali base for this job, as the best 'bang for buck' chemical. Speaking with my Industrial Chemist hat on, that is to say.
Chlorides [salt is of course Sodium Chloride] tend to impregnate the surface of the metal, and cause after-rusting problems that are difficult to resolve.
Cheers, Gadge
"ODK Mods can explain it to you, but they can't understand it for you..."
"Crazy can be medicated, ignorance can be educated - but there is no cure for stupid..."
Glad you got the spelling of that last word right ! LOL
PS. Just purchased 2 bags of "Lectric" Washing Soda (best stuff to use) to start up my bath again to strip some old cast iron Cinema Seat ends for a friend.
I live a 24 Hour lifestyle, but every now and again I seem to fall asleep, well at least that's what my wife tells me.
Glad you got the spelling of that last word right ! LOL
PS. Just purchased 2 bags of "Lectric" Washing Soda (best stuff to use) to start up my bath again to strip some old cast iron Cinema Seat ends for a friend.
hahahaha.
Just took the deflector out. Will hit it with a wire brush later on today.
You'll need to use some running water while you brush it off and asap blow it dry with compressed air. Don't let it just air dry otherwise it will be a "lighter shade of pale",...........oops, sorry brown.
Cheers, BB.
I live a 24 Hour lifestyle, but every now and again I seem to fall asleep, well at least that's what my wife tells me.
You'll need to use some running water while you brush it off and asap blow it dry with compressed air. Don't let it just air dry otherwise it will be a "lighter shade of pale",...........oops, sorry brown.
Cheers, BB.
Yeah I just discovered that the hard way. I will put the deflector back in tonight for another bath because it's turned a nice poo brown just like what you mentioned lol. Meanwhile, during the day the chain cover had a nice bath and I cleaned it as soon as it came out with some Acetone, it's looking nice and fresh now.
So my question is............do you want dimples filled with rust or dimples to fill without rust in them ?
I'd say it's a pretty straight forward answer isn't it ?
This is what automotive filler is used for in this instance, or just straight paint it as you really won't see that part of the machine once to start using it again on a regular basis again.
Note these later units had a hole drilled into them ? this was for hanging purposes during the powder coating process, bit rough isn't it ?
I'd zap it up with a mig welder and grind it flush then paint over it so it's not seen, just my take on it I guess.
Cheers, BB.
PS. It's a pretty good result isn't it and much better than using so much elbow grease ?
I live a 24 Hour lifestyle, but every now and again I seem to fall asleep, well at least that's what my wife tells me.
99% done. Just waiting for my chain cover decal to turn up!
During the rust removal, and painting I sent the rest of to "Brisbane cylinder mower specialist" to get the bed knife and reel sharpened. (Link to their website) Andrew there did a great job. No nonsense service. While she was in shop, we also got new clutch cork and front roller installed. Replace a few nuts and bolts here and there.
Now shes ready to be put to work. Sux winter is approaching, and my zoysia isn't doing much growning atm.
Took her out for her first mow and probably last of the season. Very happy with the mow, ain't nothing like super fresh sharp blades. Last pic till the end of next season I guess (Decal added =D). Time to hunt for a more beat up one to restore from ground up.
