An Unusual Use for a Topper

[kilobravo]

Sorry but this one doesn't include any vehikle photos. <smile>

After we had the pool resurfaced last year, I picked up one of the robotic pool cleaners and what a huge improvement over the previous booster pump-powered, dumb cleaner. But, he ain't cheap and like most things, I wanna keep him in good condition. I had just run "Robbie" two days previous and had him and the feed hose sitting under the deck to dry out before storing it under a vinyl cover. Unlike the old cleaner, this one doesn't get left in the pool 24/7 to minimize the chlorine degradation of the plastic parts.

My detailing brain took over and I thought why not try a top coat of Reload on him and that's what I did. Disassembled most of the shell and using another recent acquisition, a short detailing brush, I coated as much plastic as I could.

As always, Reload buffed out easily. Put him back together, set the rig on the Rubbermaid storage container I use for some of the pool chemicals, and covered him up.

I'll be curious to see how well the topcoat holds up after a few uses and if there are any "bean porn" images to be had, rest assurred, I'll get one. <BSEG>

Sponsored

 

[skinnyb]

Sorry but this one doesn't include any vehikle photos. <smile>

After we had the pool resurfaced last year, I picked up one of the robotic pool cleaners and what a huge improvement over the previous booster pump-powered, dumb cleaner. But, he ain't cheap and like most things, I wanna keep him in good condition. I had just run "Robbie" two days previous and had him and the feed hose sitting under the deck to dry out before storing it under a vinyl cover. Unlike the old cleaner, this one doesn't get left in the pool 24/7 to minimize the chlorine degradation of the plastic parts.

My detailing brain took over and I thought why not try a top coat of Reload on him and that's what I did. Disassembled most of the shell and using another recent acquisition, a short detailing brush, I coated as much plastic as I could.

As always, Reload buffed out easily. Put him back together, set the rig on the Rubbermaid storage container I use for some of the pool chemicals, and covered him up.

I'll be curious to see how well the topcoat holds up after a few uses and if there are any "bean porn" images to be had, rest assurred, I'll get one. <BSEG>

I must say that is an unusualy use for a ceramic topper On a side note, I do love the detailing brush. I bought a set of those (1 longer, 1 short) but mine has red handles. I do love the very ergonomic handle, fits in the hand nicely, and works phenomenal for cleaning the emblems and such...

 

[DFB5.0]

Sorry but this one doesn't include any vehikle photos. <smile>

After we had the pool resurfaced last year, I picked up one of the robotic pool cleaners and what a huge improvement over the previous booster pump-powered, dumb cleaner. But, he ain't cheap and like most things, I wanna keep him in good condition. I had just run "Robbie" two days previous and had him and the feed hose sitting under the deck to dry out before storing it under a vinyl cover. Unlike the old cleaner, this one doesn't get left in the pool 24/7 to minimize the chlorine degradation of the plastic parts.

My detailing brain took over and I thought why not try a top coat of Reload on him and that's what I did. Disassembled most of the shell and using another recent acquisition, a short detailing brush, I coated as much plastic as I could.

As always, Reload buffed out easily. Put him back together, set the rig on the Rubbermaid storage container I use for some of the pool chemicals, and covered him up.

I'll be curious to see how well the topcoat holds up after a few uses and if there are any "bean porn" images to be had, rest assurred, I'll get one. <BSEG>

Following with interest, wondering how Reload copes with exposure to chlorine.

 

[DFB5.0]

I must say that is an unusualy use for a ceramic topper On a side note, I do love the detailing brush. I bought a set of those (1 longer, 1 short) but mine has red handles. I do love the very ergonomic handle, fits in the hand nicely, and works phenomenal for cleaning the emblems and such...

Unusual? Now you tell me!

Hmmmm, I suppose it could be even more unusual........................................................................

 

[skinnyb]

Unusual? Now you tell me!

Hmmmm, I suppose it could be even more unusual........................................................................

Yeah I haven't gone that far yet but I did foam my Zero turn down with KCx Multi star a few weeks ago and scrub with the wheel well brush and hose it off

 

[DFB5.0]

Yeah I haven't gone that far yet but I did foam my Zero turn down with KCx Multi star a few weeks ago and scrub with the wheel well brush and hose it off

Unsurprisingly, the ADS Wheel Coating seems to be keeping that machine cleaner than most of my mowers, and a quick rinse works a treat. Pointless really, but why not.

 

[kilobravo]

I bought a set of those (1 longer, 1 short) but mine has red handles.

Did the same thing Alex but I already had Red so I went with Purple. <grin> They ARE nice brushes.

Unusual? Now you tell me!

Birds of a feather are we my friend. <laughing>

..but I did foam my Zero turn down with KCx Multi star

THAT's what I'm talkin' about, Alex! MORE ideas! <BSEG>

BTW, whose zero turn do you have and how wide is the cutting deck?

 

[kilobravo]

Unsurprisingly, the ADS Wheel Coating seems to be keeping that machine cleaner than most of my mowers, and a quick rinse works a treat. Pointless really, but why not.

Even MORE ideas. <smile> Gonna have to try one of the dressings I'm not as fond of on my mower as I don't want to use up my favorite on lawn equipment. <grin>

 

[skinnyb]

BTW, whose zero turn do you have and how wide is the cutting deck?

I have an Ariens Ikon XL 42. I love it, on my 4th season on it. Mainly bought the 42 due to the small opening in my building door. It gets the job done pretty quick though.

This is the day I bought it and the outgoing cub cadet tractor I had for 17 years.

 

[kilobravo]

I have an Ariens Ikon XL 42.

Thanks for the photo, Alex. As it happens, back when the wife helped with the mowing, we had my favorite self-propelled mower of all time and guess what, it was an Ariens.

Highest quality design and construction I had ever seen in a push mower and, the first time I had ever heard of the brand. One of the best purchases I've ever made and I/we used it for many, many years.

This is the day I bought it and the outgoing cub cadet tractor I had for 17 years.

I've never had a Cub Cadet of any flavor but they sure have good creds. Hell, seventeen years speaks for itself. I went the Wheel Horse/Toro tractor route for about eight years I guess but those rigs are a thing of the past or will be soon once they reduce the ZT's to fit the standard residential properties. I'm going on year 21 with my Tiger Cub and she still works as well as she did when I bought her. I too "love that thing." <smile>

Pulled your image into PS so I could have a better look at the IKONXL and I immediately saw three features I liked very much..the beefy, protective frame around the engine for one. The very well designed deck release handle for another and finally, the rubber/vinyl footpads, (love those and wish Scag had 'em.)

I do think IKON uses lighter gauge steel than Scag but only slightly and of course, the price reflects that.

Is the 42 a two or three-spindle deck? I can't tell from the Ariens site but odds are, it's three. That said, 21" is by far the standard single spindle blade length and 2x21=42 so maybe not.

Speaking of cutting and the number of blades, I broke down and picked up this combo belt sander and grinder to up my game with blade sharpening. I've used a Dewalt angle grinder for decades prior to this purchase. But I've been so damn busy or, so damn tired, that I haven't even unboxed it yet and it's been in the shed since May! <laughing>

However during all the recent mower maintenance I did on the Scag, I also installed a set of "high lift" blades hoping to get more "throw" out of the cuttings. These work as well as the standard Scag blades, at least on St Augustine turf but, I can't say that the extra aero makes a visible difference in the result. In any case, I'll need to sharpen a set before too long as I'm mowing every 3-4 days <sigh> so I'll be unpacking the rig in the near future.

 

[kilobravo]

Got all wrapped up in mowers and forgot to post an image of the pool cleaner after a couple hours running a cycle.

It didn't look like Reload did much at all as the plastic only had the normal water beads you would see on the bare plastic. Me thinks I may try CQuartz or similar on it, (if I can find the energy and, the time.) :=)

 

[Strokerswild]

Now I feel bad about abusing my Cub Cadet ZTR by just blowing off the grass clippings after a session, with no full detailing to follow....

 

[skinnyb]

Thanks for the photo, Alex. As it happens, back when the wife helped with the mowing, we had my favorite self-propelled mower of all time and guess what, it was an Ariens.

Highest quality design and construction I had ever seen in a push mower and, the first time I had ever heard of the brand. One of the best purchases I've ever made and I/we used it for many, many years.


I've never had a Cub Cadet of any flavor but they sure have good creds. Hell, seventeen years speaks for itself. I went the Wheel Horse/Toro tractor route for about eight years I guess but those rigs are a thing of the past or will be soon once they reduce the ZT's to fit the standard residential properties. I'm going on year 21 with my Tiger Cub and she still works as well as she did when I bought her. I too "love that thing." <smile>

Pulled your image into PS so I could have a better look at the IKONXL and I immediately saw three features I liked very much..the beefy, protective frame around the engine for one. The very well designed deck release handle for another and finally, the rubber/vinyl footpads, (love those and wish Scag had 'em.)

I do think IKON uses lighter gauge steel than Scag but only slightly and of course, the price reflects that.

Is the 42 a two or three-spindle deck? I can't tell from the Ariens site but odds are, it's three. That said, 21" is by far the standard single spindle blade length and 2x21=42 so maybe not.

Speaking of cutting and the number of blades, I broke down and picked up this combo belt sander and grinder to up my game with blade sharpening. I've used a Dewalt angle grinder for decades prior to this purchase. But I've been so damn busy or, so damn tired, that I haven't even unboxed it yet and it's been in the shed since May! <laughing>

However during all the recent mower maintenance I did on the Scag, I also installed a set of "high lift" blades hoping to get more "throw" out of the cuttings. These work as well as the standard Scag blades, at least on St Augustine turf but, I can't say that the extra aero makes a visible difference in the result. In any case, I'll need to sharpen a set before too long as I'm mowing every 3-4 days <sigh> so I'll be unpacking the rig in the near future.

Yes 3 spindle. It cuts flawlessly. And it has a Kohler 23 horse twin. I really wanted a Kawasaki but the Kohler has been stellar so far. It has the ZT 2800 hydros too. With filters. I changed fluid and filters at 75 hours and then recommends every 400 hours afterwards. So far it's been bulletproof.

And yes Ariens is an awesome brand. They are the mother company of Gravely. Around my area all pro's are using Scag, Toro, Exmark or Gravely. I started to buy a Gravely but the salesman actually showed me that Ariens was the same mower and a bit cheaper. It still wasn't cheap being a prosumer model, but I love it so far..

 

[DFB5.0]

Now I feel bad about abusing my Cub Cadet ZTR by just blowing off the grass clippings after a session, with no full detailing to follow....

Look at it this way, you are doing more than what 98% of lawn mower owners do.

 

[DFB5.0]

Got all wrapped up in mowers and forgot to post an image of the pool cleaner after a couple hours running a cycle.

It didn't look like Reload did much at all as the plastic only had the normal water beads you would see on the bare plastic. Me thinks I may try CQuartz or similar on it, (if I can find the energy and, the time.) :=)

I'd say that if Reload hasn't stood up, I reckon you would probably need a marine-grade coating. Question is, does it warranty buying a specialty coating for?

Ceramic Coatings – Gtechniq
Q²R GelCoat | Gyeon Quartz USA (gyeonusa.com)
Nautik | CARPRO

Sponsored