The start of a much needed paint job

[bellweather]

I would not advise using a sandblaster on assemblies with moving parts.

 

[sierradmax]

On a tractor that size, take the loader apart and the tins off the tractor and have them sandblasted. Wheels look good IMO. I had a shop charge me $250 to do a bobcat.

Bobcat Slideshow by sierradmax | Photobucket

 

[sierradmax]

On a tractor that size, take the loader apart and the tins off the tractor and have them sandblasted. Wheels look good IMO. I had a shop charge me $250 to do a bobcat.

Bobcat Slideshow by sierradmax | Photobucket

 

[94BULLITT]

You could get some paint stripper and then sand or sandblast the rusty parts.

 

[Cherokee140]

Stripping chemicals are pretty nasty, please take care when using them....and whatever you do please dispose of them correctly. I am no greenie, but that stuff is very nasty.

Take care with the wire brush as well....you can make a great deal of heat with that as well.

Keep the updates coming.

 

[AaronS]

Another comment on the wire wheel.....please wear safety glasses, a face shield, and heavy pants and gloves. I used one to strip the paint on a wire pallet rack type shelving unit and it would occasionally throw a wire which would stick through my pants. I look forward to the "after" pics.

 

[Kubota81]

Yes I have been wearing all the safety items listed and I am trying to see about sand blasting I want to get my own to have for other projects ( 1981 kubota b7100 loader backhoe) and yes I will try paint stripper at some point will it really save me that much more time? Also question new kubota orange or old

 

[Code54]

The Harbor freight pressure blasters are fairly cheap and work well for the money. There are a lot better ones out there but for the price it will allow you to do what you want to do without a large investment. If you blast the tractor don't do assemblies where sand could get into bearings, housings, etc.... That is very good advise as sand will get in places you think are well sealed and cause havoc. The sheet metal on the older tractors is pretty heavy duty and blasts easily. I have done several machines including a Kubota similar to yours without issue. If you you are blasting it, keep moving and use something like Black Beauty, not "sand." It will cut MUCH faster and you won't have to worry about warping the metal as long as you are moving your stream. Speaking of "Sand" - use a OSHA approved mask when blasting - in short, the airborne silica is VERY bad for you and using something like Black beauty further minimizes this.
I also don't know what kind of compressor you have but blasting is VERY air intensive. A small single stage compressor is going to work and work hard to blast. I like using screw compressors but for the money a good two stage will serve you well. Worse case rent a tow behind for a day and have a lot of sand on hand. You can blast a LOT of stuff in short order!
Good luck and have fun!

 

[Cherokee140]

Yes I have been wearing all the safety items listed and I am trying to see about sand blasting I want to get my own to have for other projects ( 1981 kubota b7100 loader backhoe) and yes I will try paint stripper at some point will it really save me that much more time? Also question new kubota orange or old

Pictures....keep the pictures coming.

 

[AGRIMAN]

For small projects where you have the time, a small blaster will work. Your biggest issues will be air supply/air quality, but if you are not on a tight timeline you can make it work. As mentioned, a blaster can stress out a small compressor and moisture will make you pull your hair out, but there are ways to improve these two problems if you want to do them. We started out with a small pot, but soon realized (with the amount of blasting we do) it wasn't getting the job done. We rented a larger system a few times before buying our own (200 CPM compressor and 350 lbs pot). If time/aggravation are concerns, perhaps renting is a better option.

We use duck tape around the sensitive areas to help keep the sand out. It won't take a direct hit from the blaster, so you have to keep some distance. We have used Black Beauty in our blasting cabinet, but in the pot we use 35-65 blasting sand.