Today's paints are also bothersome as my first paint job on the handlebars went wrinkly and cracked overnight for unknown reasons. Yet I put the same paint on the hubcaps that same day and it went on perfectly. But then the fumes from the glue I used to fix the hubcaps in place reacted badly with the paint and overnight caused it to peel. I could not believe it. I'm still looking for a glue that will not react with paint. All it takes is for a drop of fuel to land on the painted surfaces and days of work can disintegrate before your eyes. I've been there before!
I don't have the problem of paint washing off with fuel if I use a good quality paint ,VHT or any engine high temp paint won't wash off with fuel.
My Victa ride on mower was done in VHT SP123 ENGINE ENAMEL CHEVY ORANGE .
Using some Silastic is my preferred method for gluing hubcaps on,that way they can be removed again without a problem.
Thanks for the tip Max, but too late for this build. Paint has become very scarce at my local hardware shop since Covid. The choice has reduced down to just a few cans of cheap Fiddly Bits or very expensive Killrust brand spray paints. They once stocked a huge range of paints, but no more. I did find a lonely can of Rustoleum Farm Machinery in orange for the base, but had to settle for Killrust gloss for the white handlebars. I have found it to be the worst paint I have ever worked with. The can suggests a recoat after 16 hours but my advice to anyone is DO NOT do that. I did and it went all wrinkly after an hour or so. Just one coat is fine, but whatever you do, don't add another. I tried silastic once and had the same problem with it reacting with the automotive paint. Lately I've been using super glue, because at least it only requires a couple spots, which is less likely to do damage. Your paint job looks superb by the way! I hate painting as I am allergic to the ingredients and am more likely to make a mess than do a half decent job. That's because I try to get the job done too fast so I can get away from the fumes.
Great VM , you got the base done with Rustolium. Petrol won't melt that. That's what I use on all my restores for that reason.. Give a go and start it, you did so much work. you deserve to see it kicking over.... I could have got more rustolium here in Bundy, but I don't know if you can send them in the mail... it's all good. speedy
........................Keep your blades sharp......................
I tried silastic once and had the same problem with it reacting with the automotive paint. Lately I've been using super glue, because at least it only requires a couple spots, which is less likely to do damage
With Automotive paint ,after painting I would not touch the painted panel etc for at least 1 week to let the paint harden.
Painters say not to wax clear coat until 2-3 months .
The Victa ride on looks OK but probably not worth the effort as not many people are interested in old Victa ride on mowers so has less value than it takes to repair the mower but I guess a lot of the mowers we repair are like that. .
Originally Posted by Mowerfreak
Very nice maximillian! Why aren't more ride ons sporting black rims?
Yes you don't see a lot of ride on mowers with black rims Mf .The Hustler Raptor has black rims.
I find automotive paint without the benefit of dryers, takes an incredibly long time to dry, like months, even years to properly cure. Even after 3 weeks sometimes I have started handling it and next thing you find yourself leaving fingerprints or getting paint on your fingers. A lot depends on the weather too and this horrible cloudy, drizzly, cold weather we are getting lately is definitely not ideal painting weather. I've resorted to doing a few small items inside an enclosure where it is not quite as damp, but still having problems. Will just have to wait until warmer weather. Another reason why I dislike painting so much. It is too finicky.
No wonder there's 2K with a hardener component. A shame it's so hazardous and you need a very expensive set up to use it safely.
I don't recommend using White Knight rattle can paint. I painted up a Victa sign in black and a cloth cover has stuck to it well after it's drying time.
Ahh, if only victa had kept producing the thumblatch catcher series, they would be in better shape today!
