Paint

[allenp]

Calpyro - It looks really nice! Just one question, how did you do the rims? Did you remove the tires or just use a lot of tape? Allen

 

[DavesTractor]

We used to use rattle cans on the rims, but found it did not stand up as well, took more prep and was slower. We are a small dealer, but probably move 10 tractors a month and do all of our own work, so we are always looking at ways to do things better, and to save time. We have some sheetmetal strips about 3" wide with a magnet spring mounted on one end. We have a couple of different lengths, for front and rear rims. They stand up around the rim, then we snug them up with the magnet. No taping, and no overspray, takes about 15 seconds to install. We wire brush the rusty spots with a angle head Makita, then sand the rim by hand, then spray equipment enamel with an HVLP automotive type gun. Takes about an hour to do all 4 rims, and they look better and hold up longer than Krylon. On the rest of the tractor, we try to just wax and touch up, but occasionally the chassis color will be really weathered and we pull all of the sheetmetal except for the cowl/dash, pressure wash with a strong detergent, sand a little where needed and wipe down with lacquer thinner. We tape off things that should not be painted, and remove or tape off things that should remain black (radiator, etc) we then paint the chassis with our HVLP gunback to the original color. Looks like new, but takes a few hours to do it right. We then install all new hoses, belt, filters, etc. A pet peeve of mine is companies that just hose everything the same color. Looks like they were dipped (usually in green). Some even paint the coolant recovery bottle, fuel sediment bowl etc.

I'm rambling here, but I will say that rattle cans are great for just touching up the undercarraige. I see pictures of tractors that were rattle canned, and can only say they painter is more talented than I am, becuase some look pretty good! Calpyro did a fine job. We also have our loaders match the tractor, gives it an integrated look.

 

[Whiskey]

I kind of thought I would get a responce about repainting it. I understand most of the guy's here that own these little yannys like them to be keep origial in most aspects including paint.

I have tryed all kinds of rubbing compounds, buffers, this paint restoryer or that paint restoryer bla, bla, bla, bla washed it till I thought the paint was going to come off.

I have to agree with Calpryo on this one, I just want to keep my little jem looking it's best. Wifey has agreed to letting me get it done by someone who knows how to paint and a new decal package to boot!! so quilty is most likely not a problem if I go that route, but if I can save myself a little money and do it myself with a rattle can or the little Wanger spray painter I just may go that way.

OK, one more thingy to adress here, Normede2001 I will get her a new seat I know I should be ashamed posting a pic with that seat on her. It's on the list for the "over winter dressing up" of the little yanny, so when she gets her new color she'll get a new seat.

psst. Calpyro for rattel can that is sweeet!!!!! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

thanks
Whiskey

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Allenp

I painted my wheelhorse tractor a couple years ago. A friend suggested I use vaseline(ok, no wise cracks) on the tires instead of tape. It's kind of a pain to take off
but works well. I would do it this way again.

Norm

 

[pruntyc]

Oils, like vasoline or any type for that matter are very hard on rubber. You want to be sure you get it all off, or it will weaken the rubber. Not sure, but things like Armoral might work, silicone spray, also might work and it won't hurt the rubber.

 

[Calpyro]

To paint the rims I used a method similar to Dave. I used a strip of old vinyl flooring. I laid it around the rim and secured it with a bit of masking tape and sprayed away.
I have seen rolls of galvanized sheet metal at Home Depot that would work well using Dave's method. When I started painting, I masked ONE tire and decided their had to be a better way!

PS
I have found one real benefit to using spray cans. When I do something stupid to a fender, I just pull the tractor into the garage at the end of the day, run the orbital sander over the wound and touch it up a bit. If I had to mix epoxy paints every time I scratched my tractor, it would be rusted and ugly looking. Because I use spray cans I can always give it a touchup in just a couple of minutes on my way out of the barn.
Thanks,
Cameron