Repainting a tractor? any ideas/experience

[Renze]

Hey Henro,

I just found this picture of my youngest sister at the Deutz D50. Ususally we just clean ans spray, but this old Deutz worked 40 years at a road construction company and was extremely rough on the paint, that's why we sprayed a RAL 3009 primer first.

My sister is 11 years old now, so this photo must be about 8 years old. The Deutz was later sprayed green, but darker than the Kermit-the-frog green on later DX models.

 

[jdmar]

I have started the dissasembly process on the yanmar already...so far just sheet metal and a few non-mechanical attachments...looking forward to warm weather to really get this job done. I am also making digital photos of "everything" to try to avoid assembly problems. Thanks to everyone for help and I will send some pictures when done.

I also now have one picture of a fleet of John Deere tractors my wife and I painted for our son's second birthday. We only painted one side...but it did not seem to cause a problem for anyone at the party. Wish I could send the real thing to all of you!

 

[jdmar]

Okay I am finally starting to pull things apart. I used oven cleaner very carefully to avoid rotting out plastic parts and other sensitive parts. It worked better than "engine bright" or "simple green." It really cleaned and seems to have etched the surfacea bit...OK sow they pressure washer helped too.

 

[Soundguy]

Looks good. I forgot to mention oven cleaner.. Lots of us on the N-board use it to partially strip paint from the cast frames on our tractors. The extreme alkalinity helps alot..

Soundguy

 

[Whiskey]

Jdmar:

It's been awhile sense I've popped in on this thread and I vaguely remember something about your wife wanting it J.D. colors, and by the look of the back rim I'm guessing she won out.

Well, it's coming along nicely and keep us posted with your handy work

Whiskey

 

[jdmar]

Whiskey..

Of course my wife won...I'm not crazy! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Actually the tires and rims I got on Ebay for $225 brand new ($1065 discounted price at the John deere dealer if bought new there). That was about the same price as two new 9.5 x 22 tires but then I would have had thinner tires and I would have to clean a repaint my existing rims.

The extra benefit is that the tires and rims are the correct turf tire set-up for my JD 4300. SO if I ever want turfs on the 4300....I got em already!

Hey...any want some rice tires on 8 x 22 rims!!?? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[GerardC]

To repaint ANY area that may or will get hot and burn off, buy engine paint. It is rated for 1,500 degrees.

 

[jdmar]

OK, so I am finally getting around to painting. I pressure washed and scrubbed a while ago. Then I pulled off anything that would get in the way. Then came the oven cleaner....engine cleaner...couple times with "dawn"...simple green...wire brushing...sanding...rust remover in spots....wiped it all down with thinner. The I taped off all I didn't want painted.

I used John Deere brand "buff" primer...no it is really NOT more expensive that generic off the shelf stuff--but I know it will hold up to some engine heat. I have to tell you...that is one tuff-n-nasty primer. I think it would stick to hot grease. I am optimistic that this paint job will last darn near a lifetime.

I will post some pics when I ma further along. I still have the main tractor to paint. Then I have to finish cleaning and prepping the shhet metal. Thanks to all of you for your advice...I have really used it!

Peter

 

[GerardC]

Looks like your off to a fantastic start. Sure looks like a lot of work but in the end you'll have one nice looking tractor. Keep the photos comin'. G

 

[Whiskey]

jdmar:

Looking good.....keep the pic's comming. Are you brushing or spraying that primer on?

 

[Golfgar4]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Are you brushing or spraying that primer on? )</font>

By the amount of overspray that is visible on the blue tarps and all around the area, I'd guess he's spraying? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Whiskey]

Golfgar4:

Being that I have never operated a spray guy, I wasn't real sure if the background would have been covered more (like the walls covered with tarps) or just the typical mess you get with a brush.

 

[Golfgar4]

Dave,

I wasn't trying to be smart or needle you. I didn't notice the over spray until I looked a second time.

Sorry if I came across wrong. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[jdmar]

WHAT OVERSPRAY!?!?!?

I meant to paint that blue tarp!!!

 

[jdmar]

I got it painted this weekend...now where is that digital camera....hmmmm. Once I find it I will post some pics...once again thanks to all of you who helped...you made a big difference.

Peter

 

[Whiskey]

Jdmar:

Looking forward to seeing it when ya find your camera /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[Golfgar4]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( ...now where is that digital camera.... )</font>

Sure it's not camoflaged in all of that overspray?? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[TBAR]

I can tell you how NOT to paint one. I did mine in my garage with a conventional spray rig. Paint sifted under the garage door onto the wifes linoleum floor turning it from white to red. I tried to tell her it was a nice terra cotta color but she didn't buy it.

Since wifey poo was not happy she ended up getting a nice new tile floor out of the deal............... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

TBAR

 

[jdmar]

TBAR,

NOW YOU TELL ME!!!

I had my air hose come up the basement steps and out the door into the garage where I was painting. The door into the garage was open about 3/4"---the width of the air hose. I was painting aver 20 feet away in the third stall. I got "no" wet overspray. But the entire first floor had an invisible green mist on it.

You couldn't see the green but when you walked or touch something you ended up green. I have to say my wife was VERY mellow about it...Im' a lucky guy!

 

[jdmar]

OK, so before you look at the picture let me explain my actions!! You John Deere fans may understand. The Orange and Blue among you may have more troubles!

It is painted green with the Deere decals because my wife wants it that way---period…end of story…I couldn’t argue with that so you can’t either! I choose the JD 650 since it was an 18HP 2-cylinder and I believe was entirely Yanmar-made then shipped over here for sale by JD. Similar stats to my 1500.

The front rims are not yet sandblasted and painted…it will have wider rims and turf tires on the front also. Everything including engine area shields, tool box, radiator, fenders, fender handles, hood, headlight surround, etc was removed/cleaned/sanded and repainted with primer and top coat. I used JD “buff” primer and their top coat with hardener. I know I could have spent a few pennies less on paint at TSC but I ended up being VERY impressed with that primer and the top coat was great paint also…very worth the small price increase to me. Heck, even the overspray that snuck under the back door is sticking well!!!(now you see why I painted it how my wife wanted!!!)

As neatly as possible I added the Sunpro gauges and kept the low oil pressure light also. The JD decals were from the dealer…only about $45 for all the warning/fuel/hood/etc deacls—9 in all. All the other decals were from the sheet sold by Hoye Tractor —good people and good set of decals. The new radiator hoses and weather seal at the back of the hood came from Parker Equipment Company —Danny’s a good guy too.

I truly appreciate all the great help I got before doing this project. I have painted cars before but was unsure how to approach a tractor with all the issues of old/new grease/oil/fuel, the heat of the engine, and the cast iron with a million “nooks-and-crannies.” So far am happy…now as long as it doesn’t wash off in the first rain storm!!

Thanks again to everyone for your help.

Peter