I bought the mower for 25$ and have since then invested upwards of 200. It's running good NOW LOL . It's forever having issues . Yesterday my helper was bragging on it and the dang left rear wheel fell off ! I've just never had soooo many issues out of a mower .
It's ugly and sun bleached but it'll flat put a beautiful 3in cut on a lawn !
I have painted the tanks with the high-temp engine enamel "Grabber Green" that I paint the decks and all other "green" parts. No issues for me. It seems to bond well. All I do is clean all the parts thoroughly.