Rust on New Wheels, problem or not?

[The Baron]

As I am new to the tractor world I thought I would ask. A few weeks ago I posted a message saying we were buying a TC40DA. Well, the tractor arrived and we like it alot but I am questioning if I should be worried about the amount of rust on the rear wheels both where the band is welded and where the brackets are welded onto the rim itself. I mentioned it to the dealer since it is new and he said he would give me paint to spray over it which we all know won't last long. I cannot seem to get a picture here where you can see it. Any opinions?

 

[AndyMA]

I wouldn't worry about it. If you want to totally stop it, wire brush the rust off (leavig some rust) and apply a product like Rustoleum Rust Reformer which will turn the rust into an inert oxide. Then apply the new paint over that. The rust will be totally gone. All of my tractor rims have soem rust in the areas where you describe.

Andy

 

[LarryD]

Tell your dealer you want the paint AND a hat for your trouble.

I usually do lots of "rust reformer" touch-up when it warms up in the spring, if I could only learn to keep the tractor on the gravel.

 

[ander26]

I dont think you should have to use touch up paint on a brand new tractor.

 

[MikePA]

This is a common concern of people new to the tractor world whose primary experience is buying a car, a truck, etc. I'm with AndyMA, this is nothing to worry about, but if you can get some free paint and a hat out of it, go for it.

 

[daTeacha]

There is a body shop product called POR 13 (I think that's the number) which actually requires a rusty surface to adhere to the steel. You can cover it with that and then paint and you'll be fine. Welds will tend to rust before the steel next to them, so hit both sides of the rim.

 

[gbick]

I believe that's POR 15. I've had good luck with it. Greg.

 

[Soundguy]

I agree with the others.. clean it up and paint it and forget about it.

I've got a 1946 ford 2n that had more rust then iron on the front rim.. in fact.. the only parts that weren't rusty were all the brass from all the rust holes that had been brazed up.

I wire wheeled it down.. used a rust converting primer, then an epoxy enamil over that. Rims been doing fine since the end of 2003.. and it had rust pits the size of BB's all over it.. as I said.. many were clean thru, and had been brazed up. I'd say at this point, the rim is about 40% brass... but she holds air..

Soundguy