Questions on LB paint colors of the past

16 years ago

Hey everyone

I know that alot of you guys in here restore older LBs and I had a few questions about paint. I recently aquired some mowers from the mid to late sixties in the light tan almost white color. I was wondering if anyone had ever repainted a deck this color and what color and who makes a close match? Same question applies to the light mint green looking and the green of the early seventies. I am describing them the way I am to avoid confusion. My other question has anyone ever gone to a local paint store (autobody) and had either one of these colors mixed and run them through a gun? If so what was your success if any? It would be helpful if anyone could get me as close as possible on this project and point me in the direction of some real close matches. Thanks in advance!

Nathan

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Comments (11)

1saxman
16 years ago
The only one you can get as far as I know is the 'lime green' currently in use and for the last twenty years or so. Toro sells the touch-up paint and Dupli-Color makes a Ceramic Engine Enamel in 'Grabber Green' that is as close as it gets.
gaatooor
Original Author
16 years ago
I kinda figured as much. Might be the best bet to take in a chip or two and see if I can get some mixed up as close as possible. Anyone else?
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I found this the other day while doing a Google... Here's the RCM post: ---------------------------- Sometime back there was a post on the RCM newsgroup about repairing the Lawn Boy "D" engine block when the lower bushing wears out. When this bushing goes, the bottom seal fails and the gas tends to leak out of the crankcase instead of being forced in to the combustion chamber, (this tends to make the mower somewhat "wimpy"). Lawnboy1.JPG shows 2 "D" engine crankcases after boring for roller bearings, the case at the right is bored for a Torrington BH1412 bearing (which is the "F" engine replacement), the case at the left is bored to accept a smaller OD Torrington roller bearing (that's what I was given). Lawnboy2.JPG shows what a typical setup might look like in a horizontal spindle machine, (although the crankcase will fit quite well in a vise or on parallels in a vertical mill). The fix involves removing the lower seal and boring the crankcase to accept a roller bearing like the "F" engine has. The bushing in the "D" crankcase is cast into the case during the die-casting process and is longer than the replacement bearing. The existing bushing must either be bored .015" oversize, or completely bored out because the process of counterboring may loosen the bushing and allow it to bind in the crank bearing area causing the motor to seize. After boring the bushing oversize, the case is counterbored to accept a roller bearing, (as there are several bearings out there with a 7/8" ID I won't give dimensions here). After machining, the bearing and seal are pressed in and you will have a good crankcase again, (I asked the repair shop if they had ever seen the top bushing go bad and the answer was "never"). Again the bearing for the "F" block is a Torrington BH1412, the seal is a CR 8624, type CRW1 with an "R" lip code. Hope this is useful to anyone fixing Lawnboys... Matt Maguire http://members.aol.com/gto69ra4/lawn_boy/lawnboy1.jpg http://members.aol.com/gto69ra4/lawn_boy/lawnboy2.jpg __________________
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jwor620
16 years ago
Seems I remember someone mentioning somewhere the light tan was a close match for the Cummins Diesel engine tan color. That being said.....where would you get Cummins Diesel paint?
1saxman
16 years ago
Is it 'tan' or actually a brownish gold? I seem to remember LBs of that color. Check ebay under 'lawn boy' for old brochures, magazine ads, etc., showing Lawn-Boys. Sometimes they show the colors pretty much like they were. It would be a shame to get paint made based on old faded paint. We already know the 'red' of commercial wheels and the old rectangular shrouds is the same as Chevy engine red, and Dupli-color has that too. Check 'Eastwood' for a selection of engine paints that may contain some near matches.
bogman
16 years ago
In 1965 LB used a paint color called Bermuda Sand. It was a light tan . The decals were green and a blue. This lasted for about 2 or 3 years. They all (I think) had D-400 series motors. From '58 to '61 they were clolored "gold and tan". The gold looks more like a metallic brown. I have two of these. Those models all (I think again) had C motors. The color names are listed in the Lawn Boy shop manual that's listed on their web site.
walt2002
16 years ago
The Tan colors were used in the mid-late 60s. The first one in 65 (I think) then 67 and perhaps 69. The gold ones were the old "C" series prior to that. Some "C"s were green with red top also.

Walt Conner
indy452
16 years ago
Regarding the mint green one. I have looked high and low for a match, and the best I can find outside of going to a paint shop is Krylon short cuts hobby paint in the color "Kiwi".
Its a little bit lighter but pretty close.

If someone else knows another for the mint let me know.

Neal
gaatooor
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks for all of your suggestions I have a 1965 5233 with the blue and green decals and it is that lighter sand color. I also have 1969 7259 same thing. The mint green is so tough Neil because I wish I could see what it looked like new in real life. I really want to restore that little 19in 68 5236 model I have.. such a great runner and so nice to mow around with. I will keep looking. If I find anything I will let you know. I really wish I could find a nicer shroud for the 68 with a bit more decal on it. My mom has an old one just like it I will have to see if hers is better than mine and do a swap. Mines not that bad but I wish it was better!
bogman
16 years ago
Gaatooor, I happen to have a LB brochure from 1965 (see it pays to never throw anything out).I got it when I bought my LB 3052. There are several very nice color pics of Lawn Boys at work including your 5233. These were deluxe models. I would copy it to post here if I knew how, but I don't so I went to the Behr paint web site and matched (on the computer screen)the colors. My call would be Behr 350c-2-- banana cream or 350-3-- Oklahoma wheat. Good luck!
gaatooor
Original Author
16 years ago
Wow that would be great if you could find a way to post them up on here. I would sure love to have a look! I am sure others on here would too! I am going to try and post some pictures of my collection on here this weekend. I was scrubbing up some of them last night so they look half way decent. Had to cut when it was wet last weekend and some of them got a little grubby looking. I hate when that happens. Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do.
hercules
16 years ago
gaatooor,

I, too, have LB sales brochures from 1965/66 with good pictures. My dad was a dealer back then, and I kept his "stuff". Old LB repair manuals, brochures, and even B&S repair manuals from the period still come in handy more frequently that you might expect. Ahhh, besides....I'm a certified pack-rat! ~grin~

I can't post them here but, if you wish, I'll scan them and send them to you directly via e-mail. I'd try to get the color balances as close as possible, but what you view on your monitor may still not be an absolutely perfect match.

If you're interested, go to my Members Page and send me an e-mail with the subject line being very specific. Otherwise, it might get zapped as spam. ~grin~

Cordially offered,
Hal

Questions on LB paint colors of the past

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