JEEP GARDEN TRACTOR PROJECT

[Waldon52]

Your Jeep looks like a lot of fun memories. Today I should get the outside of the Wheelhorse mini Jeep / go cart roughed in . I am very happy how it looks so far. I made the wooden blocks for the hood but not sure if I will put them on or not. Here are two pics of two styles of trailers I may build for the Jeep. I have much of the materials so it won't cost much. The whold Jeep project has been pretty inexpensive. The winch and the tires and the sheet metal were the biggest expenses around $1,200.00 total. That pretty cheap for all the enjoyment I have had the last few weeks in the shop. The little 10 hp engine won't pull much but its another great little project for me to putter on this winter.

 

[Waldon52]

The green trailer looks a little similar to this one I built several years ago. So I will build the red design to match the go cart. It will getting a matching rear bumper and matching tail lights. But it will have a working tailgate.

 

[Waldon52]

Yesterday I worked on the three worse spots on the go cart body. I cut out some metal and bent it to fit the wholes and welded them in place. Then I did the bodywork and slapped some paint on them. Looks much better.

 

[strantor]

I suck at painting, and I hate painting. I haven't worked out the causality between those two facts but I just try to stay away when possible. My spray paint jobs are a runny mess and my brush paint jobs look like the work of a toddler. Just the thought of painting makes me want to punch people.

I see brush strokes in your paint job; now, don't let that be construed as criticism, especially not from the likes of me, but isn't there a way to brush paint that doesn't leave brush strokes? I ask because when I bought my lathe, the previous owner had restored it and I asked him for the colors he used to paint it in case I ever had to touch it up, and we ended up discussing the paint job, and he said he brush painted it (for all the same reasons you do) and I was amazed. There is not a brush stroke to be seen anywhere on the tool. I don't know what brushes he used or what his methods were, but if he's not a liar, I'd like to know how he did it, and share that info for the benefit of all.

 

[PHPaul]

I'm probably the last person that should be giving painting advice, but I do have a couple of ideas:

1. There are paint additives that enhance the ability of paint to "flow". After the paint is applied and before it cures, it flows out to a smooth surface removing brush marks.

2. The right brush is important. Stiff enough to hold and apply the paint, soft enough to minimize brush marks.

3. Many folks diddle with the paint too much. Brush it on, get good coverage and then leave it alone.

 

[KennyG]

PHPaul has the right approach. I will add a couple of ideas. Note that this only works with good quality automotive paints. Apply two or three coats, just thick enough to get good coverage. Then sand with 2000 or 3000 wet sandpaper and a rigid foam sanding block. Finish with rubbing compound and polish. (This is why most people spray. It's less work in the long run.)

 

[Waldon52]

I can actually paint pretty good with a paint gun , very few runs at all . Two light coats over some wet sanded primer and then a couple nice coats and it dries great. Then after a couple weeks wet sand and buff out. I hate overspray !!! It gets on everything !! You just can't cover everything up. My grandson doesn't care about runs in the paint and who cares if it gets scratched or dented. I will wet sand it all and put another heavy coat on the flat areas and lighter on the sides. Then later wet sand it and buff it out. Old Jeeps can still look good without a show paint job, ha,ha.ha. I don't like RUST , lol Paint brush lines look great compared to anything with rust in my yard, ha,ha,ha.

 

[Waldon52]

Now with the outside of the Wheelhorse Jeep roughed in I can slow down and do the inside this winter. Also I will rough in the little matching trailer in the next couple weeks . Once that is roughed in I can work on that this winter too. A lot to redo inside the jeep , center console all has to come out for two peoples feet, exhaust has to be redone, steering all has to be redone, electrical to new dash , under the hood cut more old metal out for new battery box with big battery. Possibly the gas tank will go under the hood too, ?? Lots of fun for this winter. It sure looks different than four weeks ago. Here is my Cub Cadet Powered Gator I tweaked a couple years ago. My grandson loves it. One lever to operate it all with hydrostatic drive.

 

[Waldon52]

Todays pics show the steering parts removed from the Wheelhorse frame. I will have to re-design everything to move the steering wheel from the center to the left side. Also some of the 18ga. sheet metal that will be used for the body of the Jeep go-cart trailer. A cardboard pattern on the bench also that I will make some wheel adapters for the 33" tires.

 

[crashz]

The gator was a lawn mower???? Wow - you have some amazing skills and vision! Totally impressed!

Please keep posting pictures of your projects. Its very entertaining and inspiring!