Faded fenders and top on 2008 M5040

[roygage]

Recently bought a used M5040. Although not ashamed to drive junk, look at my 88 3/4 ton pickup for instance, I do like to have one vehicle I can take pride in.

For me this vehicle would be my 5040. Sadly it arrived from the dealer, I bought sight unseen, with the plastic/fiberglass fenders and top faded

Also noted the wheels are faded although to a lesser degree.
I used turtle was on the fenders and it helped but not much. Recommendations? Paint?

I am surprised by the amount of fading, friend has a John Deere roughly the same age sits out all the time and his shows less fading then mine. Spoke with original owner and he claimed was kept in shed. Have found unit was bought in Dec. 08. Perhaps set on the dealers lot for some time.

Also disappointed the wheels fade faster then the hood and loader, I assume the wheel supplier used a different, poorer quality paint. Have noticed my 03 L3000 the hyd. cylinders quickly faded out. Would think they,Kubota, would insist all the suppliers use the same quality paint.

 

[OrangeRidge]

The undercoat colour alters the orange top-coat brilliance.
The wheels are not always white undercoat , like the fenders
and metal hoods ......... . The wheel paint is poor quality too
with little expoxy content .

 

[Sponge Bob]

My M7040 is doing exactly the same thing. A friend of mine's did that too, but he complained to his dealer. They painted the fenders for him. I noted yesterday that the wheels are doing the same. I love the tractor, but am not too happy with the quality of the paint job.

 

[groundcover]

Noticed my wheels are fading the fastest , I believe these are put on in the US to save on shipping. Would be smart if they all used the same paint ! The US must make them use water based, low VOC ,lead free,no mercury etc. Most of the paint available to us today you might as well open the can and poor it on the ground, it's going th be there in a year anyway ! :laughing:

 

[TripleR]

I haven't noticed any fading on our M8540 yet, but we haven't had it a year. There is no fading on the fenders or wheels on my 2003 L5030, may be doing something different now than in 03.

 

[roygage]

Noticed my wheels are fading the fastest , I
believe these are put on in the US to save on shipping. Would be smart if they all used the same paint ! The US must make them use water based, low VOC ,lead free,no mercury etc. Most of the paint available to us today you might as well open the can and poor it on the ground, it's going th be there in a year anyway ! :laughing:

Interesting about the wheels. We have a GKN ag wheel plant in town, Esthervlle Iowa, not a 1/2 mile from my house. Will ask a friend who works in the paint dept. I recall ten or so years ago when he first got the job they were setting up a powder coating line.

I drive by their plant daily, wheels of all colors stacked up outside.

Certainly seems Kubota would have everyone use the same or like product to assure tractors maintain thier looks and resale value.

 

[roygage]

I haven't noticed any fading on our M8540 yet, but we haven't had it a year. There is no fading on the fenders or wheels on my 2003 L5030, may be doing something different now than in 03.

Yes, my 03 L3000DT also shows no fading with the exception of the loader cylinders. No plastic on it though.

 

[big bubba]

think this is "normal" for kubota as they offer touch up spray paint in both original & "faded" colors. agree that the fading steals some of the luster of having a newer machine....at least you have no mechanical issues with the sight unseen purchase! M series are awesome... good luck

 

[roygage]

think this is "normal" for kubota as they offer touch up spray paint in both original & "faded" colors. agree that the fading steals some of the luster of having a newer machine....at least you have no mechanical issues with the sight unseen purchase! M series are awesome... good luck

Am enjoying it very much, before it arrived I had not seen one in real life. Lot more tractor then I had bargained on. The 28 inch tires and bigger three point give it the appearance of an honest to God farm tractor.

The question remains though, how to get the color and luster back?

The hood has some big dings on the top which I believe I will have the body shop take out. The fenders appear to come off easily, will they look better painted or not? Guess I should find out how much new fenders, and top are, silly to spend 150.00 bucks apiece to have the fenders painted if I can buy new for 200.00 and keep the old for spares.

Those wheels look to be a lot of work to paint.

 

[Gator6x4]

Obtain some medium grit compound. Compound, then use the turtle wax. The Turtle wax is not good at cleaning since the use of Clear Coat in the automotive industry. The use of a abrasive cleaner or compound on clear coat causes scratches. A special polishing compound is used for clear coat. Oxidation occurs in enamel and lacquer paints when exposed to direct sunlight. The clear coat used in the automotive industry will eventually move into the tractor field.