OutdoorKing Repair Forum Forums Restoring, Customising and Modifying Victa Walk-Behind Rotary Mowers VC-160 Mark I,II & IIIB Restoration

Where do u get your handlebars chromed? Do u think that chrome paint is any good? Wheni do it they just dont come out shiny as getting it chromed.

I never used the chrome paint as I know it would not be the right thing.Chrome is actually a type of metal with a high melting point and I've often wondered how you can make a metal such as it is spray from a can? Well I guess you can't.Check it from here.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chromium So I guess the chrome spray is most likely what they call a silver frost.Just basically paint.There is a process to be able to do and it takes the right kind of equipment to this.I haven't starting searching for places to do since moving to Brisbane but I know there would be a few places here that would do it.

Does it cost much to get handles chromed?

Also how did get ur axles an height adjuster looking so new?

Chroming the handles is about $250 after I have got them sand-plastered.The axles and high adjusters originally where galvanised,but I can see that the way galvanising that is done today really doesn't look the same as it was back when these guys were made.I really didn't want that look,I wanted them to look new.So after the basic clean up.I then hit them hard with a wire wheel (on my bench drill) then polished them with autosol.Now because there was no galvanising left to protect the metal I then went over them with a clear coat,to seal them off so that they wouldn't start to rust.I know it's not original,but it was cheaper and still gives off a similar look to how it would have been,or maybe even better than it would have been.After all I don't have the worry about the clear coming off as they are not going to be used for mowing lawns any more.Those days are over for these guys.

have you guys seen this system. ive seen a few cars completely chrome plated using this system. and it looks exactly like the real thing up close.

Yes I have,that is the chemical spray on type.That's the one that I got my price for. I'm not entirely sure it's chrome however it does shine like chrome does.
Thanks gizmo.You have made me look into and it isn't that hard to do.It's just a matter of whether the paint is available here in Australia.Maybe this is where an overseas friend like Corey can be of some help.As it is available in America.

I have seen it available here in oz.pretty sure it was for sale on ebay.i would like to try it but methinks its not quite as easy as they make it seem on those videos.you start with a very shiny glossy coating of paint which forms the base colour for your chrome. then its an application of these 3 or 4 differnt chemical sprays , all the time washing each layer with deionised water. you would need a fairly good spraypainting workshop to produce those results.

i got heaps i would luv to chrome but chrome plating just so expensive. this might be the answer
if you havent found any info yet there is some good info on this site.
http://www.sprayonchrome.com/solutions.html

Awesome find there gizmo that's better than the one I was looking at.Good work,this one can bend and flex and still not come off.Wow.

Just some updated pictures of how the look at the moment.Still looking at this chroming idea.I'm liking one of the spray on types as it is strong can bend and twist and take small hits.It just depends of cost.Which I still haven't found yet.Any way here they are right now.
Mark I



Mark II



Mark III

I really like the detail you put into making the mowers original. For example painting the fuel tap, it looks stunning. And painting the victa logos red makes a huge difference.
Could you post a picture of underneath please? Just to satisfy my curiosity.
Thanks.

Yes your right James I haven't taken photos underneath them.Yes I will,not tonight though but I will.

wow just awesome Blumbly. love the detail. i have a mark 3 and hope 1 day it looks as good as yours does now.
cheers bazz

Thanks bazz. There is a lot of work involved but its well worth it. I'm sure you will get yours to look the same. It just takes time. I still have a bit to do,but for now I'm going to get the VC-125s to the same stage then complete them all.

Wow!! Better than a bought one!. Great work there, Jeffrey,they look fantastic. Well done mate.

Thanks Darryl yes they did come out great. As I said a lot of work but also a lot of fun. I did enjoy doing them.

Blumbly, how did you find doing the three altogether? apart from a lot of work,do you think it is the best way or would you do each one seperate if you did it all again, by the way they look stunning to say the least.

Thanks jonesy it was fun. I guess the only reason I did them at the same time is due to paints and other parts are all very similar. It was good but doing three some things do get a bit boring as your doing the same part three times. I mean when it came cleaning and polishing engine parts. Other than that I found it easier,some others may think its harder. I'm currently doing my VC-125 mark I & mark II at the moment and I'm doing them at the same time. So after they are done I am looking forward to just restoring one mower at a time,but the way I am I guess I may not either,I like a challenge.

OK because I have started 3 but may see how it goes as this being my first go at it I am getting keen to see one done, but dont want to hurry just to do it, so will see how I go, does not matter anyway as the bits will still be done for when I get to the next one, but I agree as it is easier to blast/paint etc at the same time but will see??

I guess it's not hard for me to do multiple mowers at the same time.As before I turned to driving trucks I spent about 15 years in the panel beating industry.So I would suggest doing one at a time,but that is really up to you.

I decided that I should do these restores properly so I took the cutting discs off and painted them the right colour.
So here they are.
Mark I.




Mark II.



Mark III.




Don't they just look so pretty,I bet the grass isn't thinking it looks good.Not that the grass will ever see it,but the grass doesn't know that.

Wonderful Work!

Can you post a few close ups of the starter ring on the MKI, I'm trying to work out how you got it looking so good.

With a lot of hard work and a lot of time spend on making it good.


Their the closest pictures I have of it at the moment.If you wanted closer I'd have to take some more,but not today.

The discussion about blade disc colours for VC-160's and VC-125's, which took this thread off topic, and away from focus on Blumbly's amazing VC Restorations, has been moved into it's own space, and can be found HERE.

Wow, that is looking good.

When you do have both the time and energy, some clearer photo's, and maybe some more info on how you did it would make my day!

It looks fantastic!

Well theirs not really any tricks or secrets in reviving plastic. All I did is got a razor blade and carefully scratched all the white fluffy sun dried plastic and then got some wet and dry 400 grit sandpaper mixed up some soapy water and sanded for hours and hours. About 10 hours work in that one piece. Until I was happy enough with how it looked,then coated it with a coat of (or two) of clear. As sanding it takes shine of the new plastic look. So just needed to spend time of it.

Hi jeffrey, Wow! and on the finish there mate, it looks just like a bought one! We will all wait with baited breath until it is finished mate....Can't wait to see the pics!

Thanks Darryl yes it did turn out well. I guess I was lucky to find good one to start with. Yes I should get off my bum and find someone who can re-chrome the handles so I can finnish these 3 off. Then start on the catchers.

There are heaps of electroplaters in Brizzy Jeffrey, just make sure you see their work and get a firm quote first, before they start the job....There should be one, if I recall,
at Rocklea.

Thanks Darryl I might have a little look when I get home today. Rocklea would be good not even 5 minutes away. I get a price on chrome paint but yeah not sure about the paint idea.