Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

Before I finally get around to putting my 1988 ST824 project back together (just in time for Spring), I need to repaint the auger housing (I have one of the Ariens SnoThros that have the paint peeling off in sheets).  I figure that with all the work I have put into it, it might as well look good.  Has anyone found a suitable (similar color to Ariens orange) paint?  The previous owner used what appears to be a flat fluorescent orange marker paint.  As you might expect, it doesn't really match at all- it looks pretty bad. 

I will probably bring the housing over to my dad's house and use a few pounds of black beauty to get the housing clean.  It's sad to see how poor the paint was on a few year's models.  My 1974 still has great looking paint. 

Any suggestions/ recommendations as to what steps (prep, primer, etc)  to take to ensure the best paint "performance"?

Thanks for any and all suggestions.

Ralph

OK guys here goes, I hope things don't get screwed up. In case it does you can go to this link and view the 4 picture gallery. Click on the pic to enlarge it for a more detailed view. Below I'll describe the pics.

http://img144.imageshack.us/gal.php?g=oldaugergear7mv.jpg&cols=4

Sideview: Shows the paint job, the inside of the bucket and augers were painted, outside of bucket to the point where the impeller housing meets the frame. I did not need to paint the chute assembly, as you can see it's an excellent color match. Also if you notice on the top I made a cleanout pole that is attached with spring brackets to the existing holes that were drilled in the auger housing. I used  aluminum tubing from a squeege mop my wife was throwing out that a 3/4" dowl was inserted and pinned for strength, the tip is made of plastic that I scavenged from the mop, rubberized handle also from mop. For a personal touch I applied the two skull head decals on the sides, wanted snow flakes but couldn't find any.

Auger View: Shows the inside of the bucket with paint job to augers and bucket.

Custom Headlight: Bought this in Lowes for 10.00, completely water tight. It was a 110 volt exterior light that I gutted the inside and inserted a 12 volt automotive socket and put an 18 watt automotive bulb in. Also put a toggle switch in that's mounted under the light and painetd the positions green for on and rd for off so my sorry eyes can see it.

Old Auger Gear: That's what the gear looked like when I opened the case, doesn't even resemble a gear. That's what happens when your augers are frozen or some sorry a$$ individual puts nails as a substitute for shear pins. That is exactly what the previous owner did to this machine that cost me unnecessary money an extensive labor.

Edited:  My apologies,  looks like I failed at posting the pics here, I need to do more reading before I attempt again. You can still view at the link I posted.

  Bill,

            IT LOOKS NEWWWWWWW !!!! !  !   !    !  Great job!

                                                                 Fred   

                                                                                          

                                             

  THE FLAMING SKULL!

LOOKS GREAT MAN.

Fred- Marshall

Thanks for the compliments, just sorry you had to go to the link to view. I'll attempt to learn the process of posting pics properly with a commentary over each picture for ease of viewing. I see my friend Marty knows how to do it, he's my idol, when I grow up I want to be just like him.

Bill,

Sweet looking Ariens and I love the custom headlite  If the outside housing ever needs painting, you can try your hand at air brushing that cool flaming skull on there and sealing it in clear.  Again, great job

Richie wrote:

Richie

Thank you, doubt the headlight will ever need repainting, It's made for exterior use with a baked on finish, Besides the unit is stored inside and upon completion after every use  I put the quatz heater next to it to dry it, then towell dry it and spray with silicone spray. The wife thinks I'm sick and in need of medication, she calls me Felix Unger. As far as air bruhing that's a talent I don't have, can't even draw a straight line.

Regards

Will

Will-

You did a great job.  Did you prime the auger housing before painting orange?  Makes me want to get mine back together ASAP.  Unfortunately, I'll be gone for a week (missing a storm, too- see my post), so more important things have to be taken care of first.  Maybe I'll post pictures of the sheared pins I found when I get back.  I'm still amazed they sheared. 

My project has a sticker that says "this engine has provisions for electric starter and alternator/headlight", so I hope there is that 12v power wire in there somewhere- it would be nice to have that headlight when it is dark.  It already has the 120v starter installed. 

Ralph

Ralph,

I primed the inside of the auger housing only, the outside was in better shape so I just used fine steel wool, then PrepAll, and finally alcohol before painting.

As far as the starter goes mine didn't have one but did have provisions for the alternator\starter as your does. I bought a brand new one on Ebay that is the latest model (the one with red button) for 77.00, works great. The engine already had an alternator, check for a two wire plastic connector right above the right tire (passenger side), it should be exiting the shroud there if one exists. One of the wires shoul be fastened to a ground screw there. I'll go read your post now.

Regards

Will

Here ya go....

And may I say nice job!....

C

Will - That baby looks AWESOME!!!  I would like for you to come down to NJ to finish painting my Sears & don't forget to bring some of those "skull" decals with ya! NICE JOB MY FRIEND! Email me if you need some help with pic posting...

Guys - Will is a sticker for detail & his workmanship truely SHINES!!

Marty