HELP! Saw Refurbishing

[Mooselegs]

I am Rebuilding a 1991 Vintage Husqvarna Model 55 Saw for my Son. I know this will bring some Flack from some of the People on this Site Saying "Why Bother, Its a Chainsaw" but I figured i'd give it a Shot anyway. My Model 55 is a Black Top/Grey Top Non Rancher, Non Air Induction Type Saw and has some Marring or Scratching on the Bottom (Not Terribly Bad) of the Tank Base and the Starter Cover. I am just wondering if there is a My to Buff it up a Little utilizing some Fine Sand Paper or some type of Polish to Bring Back some Sheen or Shine to it as I am Trying to Restore it to Almost New Condition. Perhaps a Very Fine Water Paper or Polishing Compound. The Same would Apply for the Top Cover which is a Dark Grey of Black Possibly the Covers the Carb & Cylinder Assembly

 

[jacob j.]

You can try wet sanding on the starter housing and tank with progressively finer sand paper and then use some of the plastic trim restorer like Chemical Guys VRP or Meguiar's. What grit to start with would depend on how bad the scratches are.

 

[oddsaws]

I know this will bring some Flack from some of the People on this Site Saying "Why Bother, Its a Chainsaw"

If anyone on this site ever says that, they shall be banished immediately

 

[Sloughfoot]

Dye. It's cheap and it's easy. https://www.ritdye.com/

 

[heimannm]

In some cases, the judicious use of a heat gun will restore badly faded plastics.





I used this already cracked cover as a test.

Mark

 

[hacskaroly]

I am Rebuilding a 1991 Vintage Husqvarna Model 55 Saw for my Son

The 55 is one of my favorite saws, I found one at the dump, rebuilt it and gave it to my friend and he loves it! I even bought another crankcase, crankshaft and fuel tank to build another. Great little saws, no shame here for rebuilding one! Post some pics of what you are working on, before and after pics are always awesome to see!

 

[hacskaroly]

Dye. It's cheap and it's easy. https://www.ritdye.com/

Is that a 2100 cover? Looks great!!

 

[Sloughfoot]

Is that a 2100 cover? Looks great!!

Good eye.

 

[hacskaroly]

Good eye.

It just smelled like a 2100 cover!!

 

[Sloughfoot]

Smell of anger and hopelessness?
My color choice wasn’t the greatest.

 

[hacskaroly]

Smell of anger and hopelessness?
My color choice wasn’t the greatest.

From what I understand it can be quite tricky to match Husqvarna's colors. The recoil cover looks really nice, my is all tore up looking!

 

[Duane(Pa)]

I am a pretty patient and motivated person. I can tell you it is a long, and not very fruitful road with elbow grease and fine compound/wax. The plastic gets very smooth but not very shiny in my experience.

 

[Sloughfoot]

From what I understand it can be quite tricky to match Husqvarna's colors. The recoil cover looks really nice, my is all tore up looking!

This was my first time with dye and I went a shade dark thinking it would turn out lighter. It didn't.
The filter cover is a Duke's. I've got an OEM filter and cover setup that I'd rather go with. Not a fan of the hotrod look.

 

[Sloughfoot]

From what I understand it can be quite tricky to match Husqvarna's colors. The recoil cover looks really nice, my is all tore up looking!

You said recoil cover and I read air filter. It's the only NOS part in the build. I gave in after months of looking/waiting and spent the big bucks for it. Got a good used one now that matches the condition of the case but isn't complete. I could be persuaded to trade my NOS cover for your tore up one's parts+ other stuff or $

 

[hacskaroly]

I could be persuaded to trade my NOS cover for your tore up one's parts+ other stuff or $

It would look really out of place on my saw.

 

[Maintenance Chief]

Those are a great heirloom saw.
I saved this one from the scrap yard, 25$.

 

[hacskaroly]

Those are a great heirloom saw.

I am working on a guy's 41 and it is in remarkable shape, its just going to need new fuel line and carb kit and will be good to go for many more years!! Those saws from that time are great!

 

[Mooselegs]

Dye. It's cheap and it's easy. https://www.ritdye.com/

Could you Possible Advise which Color Possible to use (In an Type or Shade of Orange) & What Product you would Suggest in the Rit Dye. Also, Method of Application of Dye. Never Tried Dye Before & as the Part id Plastic of some Kind, Not Sure How to Do It

 

[Sloughfoot]

Can't help you with picking a color. Just make your best guess off Rit's color chart. The dyeing part is simple. Clean the parts well with soap and water. Warm an adequate sized pot of water to about 150 F. Add half the bottle of dye and drop the parts in.

 

[hacskaroly]

Warm an adequate sized pot of water to about 150 F.

On the stove in the house with the wife's pots...what can go wrong

Just what she wanted...a Husqvarna colored pot!!