mark777 said:
Farmwithjunk,
I somehow missed you attachments...
You can't fool these old eyes even viewing your pix through this old monitor........Great looking tractors and especially the canopy reflecting off of the hood of your Deere. I don't have to be there to know how much time, materials and patience are involved in your work.
Nice job.
Mark
Thanks!
If there's anything about a painted up old tractor that really bothers me, it's seeing one that looks like it was done in an afternoon. It takes lots of time to prep a tractor for paint. It takes even MORE time to detail one AFTER the paint is done flying. The Deere spent about 3 months in pieces. The Massey has spent even more than that, broken up in to 5 or 6 shorter time periods. (I was still USING it during most of the re-hab) The Ford was a 2-day marathon "throw paint on it even if it's only 1/2 ready" sort of rush job. It shows..... Maybe a GOOD paint job next winter if it turns out to be a good tractor. (Only put about 60 hours on it since buying)
I've painted 16 tractors now. That's spread over 7 years. Each one turns out a little better than the last. That tells a tale of how much EXPERIENCE means to a painter.
I'm still a complete amature at painting. From day one, I've recognized the value of having an "expert" walk me through each and every stage of prep, paint, and CARE of the paint after it's dry. In my case, he's the "counter guy" at a very busy automotive paint store where I buy most of my material. 30 years of dealing with big-time body shops and a few fairly well known custom car/street rod builders has, by process of osmosis, taught him more about product selection than what many experienced painters will know.
Some of the high end paints nowdays come as a "system". Everything, including fillers, primers, reducers, color coats, and even clear coats are matched to work without "bad reactions". I've been guided to the correct reducer (thinner) for climate conditions. Even little things like sandpaper and helping me find a fresh air breathing system to use while painting with hardeners. Kenny has been a lifesaver! (He's got an old Sears SS12 lawn tractor that needs work. I'm going to restore it in return for all his help)
There's a LOT to know about spraying paint. If you go off on your own, learning as you go, there are literally BILLIONS of ways to screw up. (Some can even KILL you....Pay attention to the warnings about hardeners and activators) After 16 tractors, I'm just now getting a handle on how much I DON'T know about the subject.
There's more to know about the product when using high quality paints, but the learning curve for a beginner user isn't much different than the "cheap stuff". Just more expensive...... At least the end results LAST LONGER with better paint.