Painting and working on old tractor

[tcreeley]

Friend of mine told me the other day that old fords would run the tread backwards when they wanted to reset the track of the tire making it more or less narrow in the back. -Remount the rim inside out (+ backward tread then!) .The front could just loosen a bolt or two and slide it to a new hole.
Makes sense to do that on a cub too.

 

[GE222]

For restoring a rusted fuel tank, check with your local radiator rebuild shop. They can etch, blast and re-coat the inside far better than the cream coating products which often have questionable results.

 

[bill50cal]

if you do a search on the old British bike forums you will soon find out that ALL tank sealers WILL fail at a point in time but it depends on the amount of ethanol in gas and I don't think any of them are rated for diesel fuel. if you can find a replacement tank that is your best way to go.

 

[scott_vt]

Good Evenin Code54,
On the tank issue, I just poured a box of locknuts and a couple quarts of kerosene into the fuel tank and then let it spin on an old paint mixer. You could also strap it to one of your tractor tire rims and let it spin slowly for a couple of hours. The inside of the tank came out like brand new. I then washed it and flushed it with water and let it dry. I have never had rust return...

It could be a cheap way out for you...

 

[tcreeley]

I cleaned out an old motorcycle gas tank that sat for 19 years and was rusted with muriatic acid (ised for masonry clean up). I let it sit for a while in the tank- after making a solution in plastic pail with water. It stripped the rust and left it all shiny bright inside. I rinsed it with water alot. The put it back on and used it. Where the gas didn't get to the metal, it would rust again. An inline gas filter took care of that before it hit the carb.

I like the stuff- some people hate it.

"September 5, 2008

I have used muriatic acid for rust on motorcycle tanks. Of course, these petrol tanks can easily be removed.
I use 1:2 dilution with warm water and get good results in about an hour.
I then neutralize by rinsing with common dish soap and water. Rinse completely, and blow out with compressed air.
I then immediately coat the inside with two-stoke oil and rinse out with cheap gasoline. The tank is then ready to fill with fresh premium.
I guess they're all right for car tanks, but I have had bad results with tank liner solutions. The stuff never seems to set completely and causes paint on the outside to blister.
http://www.finishing.com/336/11.shtml"

 

[tcreeley]

Good Evenin Code54,
On the tank issue, I just poured a box of locknuts and a couple quarts of kerosene into the fuel tank and then let it spin on an old paint mixer. You could also strap it to one of your tractor tire rims and let it spin slowly for a couple of hours. The inside of the tank came out like brand new. I then washed it and flushed it with water and let it dry. I have never had rust return...

It could be a cheap way out for you...

Nice cub- had one for years- great tractor- rugged.

 

[ultrarunner]

if you do a search on the old British bike forums you will soon find out that ALL tank sealers WILL fail at a point in time but it depends on the amount of ethanol in gas and I don't think any of them are rated for diesel fuel. if you can find a replacement tank that is your best way to go.

We sold lots of aviation fuel sealer sold by Sherwin Williams... truly an outstanding product till the reformulated gas came about...

What a disaster now... clogged lines, filters and goo in the tank bottoms.

 

[bill50cal]

the fiberglass fuel tanks on the old Brit iron has been a real problem. the new fuels dissolve the resin and reaks havoc on the carb's and top end on the motors. every one of the slosh type sealers have a poor track record. the boat industry where they built in the fiberglass fuel tanks are also having a lot of trouble. just glad I don't have one on those expensive hole's in the water

We sold lots of aviation fuel sealer sold by Sherwin Williams... truly an outstanding product till the reformulated gas came about...

What a disaster now... clogged lines, filters and goo in the tank bottoms.

 

[ultrarunner]

the fiberglass fuel tanks on the old Brit iron has been a real problem. the new fuels dissolve the resin and reaks havoc on the carb's and top end on the motors. every one of the slosh type sealers have a poor track record. the boat industry where they built in the fiberglass fuel tanks are also having a lot of trouble. just glad I don't have one on those expensive hole's in the water

My last sailboat was 1967 american made Pearson and the fuel tank was made of monel...

We really used to make things to last.

 

[dex3361]

I recently purchased an older Cub and am in the process of restoring it. I am more then comfortable with working on it and stripping it down but not too up on the whole painting thing. Thus the following questions:

What is the best way to coat the inside of the fuel tank and what product is best

What kind of primer should I be using? Will rattle can primer produce a good long lasting finish?

What is a good paint to use.

This is not a show tractor but we are going to rebuild all major system and use a LOT of new parts so I want the final paint job to be nice and long lasting. The entire machine is being sand/bead blasted ( and soda for delicate parts). I am just not sure how to best prep it for paint. I am also thinking about have a shop shoot the final coat but still am not positive
Thank you

Interstate Radiator on Central Ave. in Charleston WV would coat the inside of a gas tank the last time I checked. Might give them a call and see if they still provide the service.