Simplest way to de-rust an Atco Standard?
I really need to re-restore mine - got 90% finished after university, got a job, left home, and it was 25 years before I got a shed of my own to put it in, which time it spent in a damp barn...
How have other people gone about cleaning up theirs? Blasting? Sanding? Wire brushing?
How did you do all the small parts - nuts, bolts, etc?
Back then I took one side frame off, cleaned it up with a wire brush on an electric drill, painted it, and started transferring bits over from the other frame so I didn't lose anything or get it in the wrong place. It worked OK, but took a long time, and everything had to be done individually. On the other hand, if I do bits in batches, I end up with a lot of random apparently identical tubes...
Your thoughts and experienced would be welcomed - I have a bunch of ideas but no idea which ones will be best!
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I too started projects…
I too started projects before University then left them till I finished.... I digress!
On non-mower restorations I personally use shot-blasting on large components as it saves time and guarantees the removal of all rust if done properly. In a mower context, shot blasting is good and quick for cutting cylinders due to the inaccessible bits.
Not everybody can have space or money to spend on the equipment, and I know contracting somebody nowadays can be expensive. For example, 20 odd years ago it cost £50 to get a local company (now defunct due to covid!) to do some bits. For less components and only last year, I approached a mobile shot blaster and was quoted around £155!!!!!
For Most things a 65mm diameter or bigger twist knot cup wire brush with M14 thread to fit a 9" angle grinder is perfect, as it does most surfaces, ideal for mower restorations. Obviously with close neighbours this would annoy people! A pedestal workshop grinder with a wire brush on is ideal for cleaning bolts and set screws and smaller objects, but won't remove rust in advanced stages.
Wars have been fought on religion, fruits and botanicals, and also on oily rag or concours restorations. It is your decision to do as you will with your machine.
We look forward to seeing photographs!