OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Restoring, Customising and Modifying Paint and Decals Victa Vortex deck repaint.

Just completed final top coat to the yellow Victa Vortex base after repairs.
I got it matched as best as possible in Dulux Metalshield and used a spray gun. Colour matched almost exact to original.

Question,

the finish has a high level of gloss. The original finish on the rest of the base is semi gloss and I don't recall this much gloss on others or when they were new.
I have a can of Rustoleum satin clear. Should I bother with a layer over the top or be content with such a spot on shade?

PS, think I'll just leave it.

Hi MF, leave it alone. the only question i have is why mask off the bits you don't see, why not just mist in a bit of color while repainting the rest of the deck.
Either way looks good and will look even better once complete and assembled.

Hi Bigted. Combination of factors. I hadn't prepped the surface and wanted to take the opportunity to preserve some unmarked original patina for possible future reference on the original paint finish, and the cover and engine will fully conceal it from view in any case as you pointed out. Also, aluminium doesn't need protection.
Believe me, I have to keep reminding myself why I did it!

Keep the gloss!!! It looks pretty bloody good to me!!! Nice job MF. I look forward to seeing more progress pictures.

Ok I would like to pick your brains for this.
Wire wheeled the axle tonight before applying clear. Couldn't get it shiny everywhere but looks good and most will be out of sight when in situ.
Should I just silver rattle can it or leave it natural? I think I'll leave good enough alone.

Leave it as it is, I'm a fan of natural patina.

I will bigted. That's what I did with the gold base and I am very pleased with it.

PS not entirely correct. I painted the front axle itself but left the side parts alone and the entire rear axle assembly.

HDid a lot of work today such as assembly of all the bits I wire wheeled and clear coated. Lots of wire wheeling rust off the axles, height adjustment rod, even the axle retaining clips. A lot of work!
Getting those rear clips in place was very tricky. A learning curve, but I got there.
I think that cross member below the rear flap gets in the way. Putting on the axle clips would be easier with it off. Probably how it was done at the factory.

The rest of the chassis was a breeze.

I applied the reproduction labels I got a few weeks ago with care. I went by the positions on a couple of other mowers I have with the turbo disc labels. I think I did ok. What do you think? They're very well done and really make the refurbishment pop.

The hardest job of all was scrubbing, scrubbing and scrubbing some more, the white plastic of the wheels using steel wool and various household cleaners.
They had really deeply ingrained soiling from their relentless working environment. It took ages to get them looking almost as good as new. May have to try using a rotary tool on the others, or maybe get some Domestos?

Next is to give the engine abit off a detail before fitting it on.
At least I have a nice repainted cover ready to go I on.

PS: in hindsight, I would prefer to have just painted the entire base in the fresh paint and maybe tape off a small patch of good original paint to keep as a sample, but this was my original plan and I did notice they didn't paint the inner part that well anyway, with patches of scant paint evident as they knew it wouldn't be seen.

Getting closer. Making the white part of the wheels pearly white again required plenty of elbow grease with steel wool and gumption bathroom cleaner.
Even bleach didn't shift the years of ingrained dirt stains in the plastic.

Engine is a bit clapped out but the one that came with the mower and I don't plan on doing any lawns with it. I washed the gunk off and polished the aluminium rust off the heat shield for the exhaust.

Now just a matter of letting it dry overnight and reattaching the carb.

This should make you happier bigted.
Brush painted over the aluminium bits with leftover paint. Finish is terrible but still looks nicer than before.

The shim between engine and base was a bit gnarly so cleaned the gunk off, used a wire cup attachment on my angle grinder to smooth off heavy scale and applied silver.

Engine now reinstalled on base. I'll give the turbo blade disc a spruce up and get rid of the heavy scale and a nice coat of black before refitting it.

I guess this is just about it. Just need to paint the quick release handle bolts for the handle and quick paint and installation of the blade disc and it's complete.
I wish I just left the Victa sign unpainted. It didn't turn out as good as I hoped. Some yellow versions of the Vortex just had the raised Victa symbol left yellow.

Overall the mower looks amazing.

sweet
speedy

The Vortex looks the goods Mf.

The Victa lettering could be fixed with a paint pen if needed.


Cheers
Max.

Hi maxwestern and speedy,
thanks for that suggestion I'll look into it as it's marring it a bit for me.

A couple more angles.

I just discovered the date of manufacture for this mower's cutting disc, giving an indicator when the mower itself was likely made. December 1985 to early 1986 most likely.