To paint or not to paint - I need painting advice for dummies

[sixdogs]

There are a few things to consider when painting your tractor. Ask 10 forum members and you will get 11 different answers. Rather than type mine out I'll just give you the link to my B21 page where I discuss what technique I used to restore it.

B21

Wow--that's a great link and a terrific effort on your part. Congratulations.

 

[Soundguy]

deffinately x+1 answeres where x is the membership.

 

[nc redneck]

If you do end up painting yourself I second recommendation above. Get a HVLP gun ( it has paint cup above gun ) cost is about the same, transfer efficiency is about 40% higher than old type suction gun. Also easier to clean for DIY with no gun cleaning machine. I have two of them ( Chinese knockoffs ) and they are a great value. A lot of professional auto painters use the knockoffs for basecoat and primer and keep there $500 to $ 800 SATAjets for finish, clear coat and Tri-Stage.
I also think you received above great advice, Start on small parts only. Less area to strip and redo and less material to buy twice. Temperature and amount of CFM airflow affects paint a lot. Dont be surprised if you need to wait 30 min to a hour between coats. Dont rush it.
Good Luck

 

[ray66v]

Crowbar, you have a lot of things to learn about: Having clean and dry air, proper repairs and prep, selecting a spray gun, selecting a paint system, learning how to spray paint correctly, choosing the right reducer, as well as choosing, and using primers and sealers, and the proper use of personal protective equipment.

What you need is at least a book, not just some advice.

Here is some advice: The amount of money, and time you will spend, to do all this, even at the most basic level, will exceed the cost of having it done professionally.

 

[nc redneck]

Very well said. Excellent advise.

 

[Mike476]

Crowbar, you have a lot of things to learn about: Having clean and dry air, proper repairs and prep, selecting a spray gun, selecting a paint system, learning how to spray paint correctly, choosing the right reducer, as well as choosing, and using primers and sealers, and the proper use of personal protective equipment.

What you need is at least a book, not just some advice.

Here is some advice: The amount of money, and time you will spend, to do all this, even at the most basic level, will exceed the cost of having it done professionally.

I'll second your advice on do your own research, which can be said about most jobs.

As far as getting it done professionally, refinishing $100K muscle cars is one thing, painting a tractor quite another.

Getting a quote wouldn't hurt to price it out against what you'll need to purchase to do it yourself. Unsure what you would need and what you possess.

If all you need is an HVLP gun, I'd say you're more than capable with little practice, it really isn't that difficult to lay down a coat of paint. Advantage of my $40 gun is I use it to paint everthing I own for the tractors, back blade, drag for our paddocks, will use it on my bucket and forks etc. Like anything, once you own it you'll find 1001 uses for it.

That's only if you're interested at all in doing that of course, to each their own, and that's as much a part of your decision as anything else.

 

[streamin]

Crowbar, you have a lot of things to learn about: Having clean and dry air, proper repairs and prep, selecting a spray gun, selecting a paint system, learning how to spray paint correctly, choosing the right reducer, as well as choosing, and using primers and sealers, and the proper use of personal protective equipment.

What you need is at least a book, not just some advice.

Here is some advice: The amount of money, and time you will spend, to do all this, even at the most basic level, will exceed the cost of having it done professionally.

I've been a professional painter for 25 years, I can give you my instructions but this post is correct. Take the parts off yourself and take them in. 3-$400 is a pretty good estimate. My gun costs more than that alone, you'll spend that at least just to get set up. You would also have to buy more paint/clear than you really need(the way it is sold) where they will use out of what they buy. BUT, if you decide to try yourself, ask away.

 

[ray66v]

I've been a professional painter for 25 years

I know from experience myself. I have 35 years in the business.

Spraying is one of those things that look really easy, when you watch someone who spent years leaning how to do it. And, honestly, it is really pretty easy for those who have mastered it. But, there are a lot of things that can go wrong. And, it takes experience to learn how to avoid them, or deal with them, when they happen anyway.

Sure beginners can get lucky, and turn out some decent looking stuff. I sure did when I was a kid.

Unless you are working for someone, becoming experienced can also be costly.

 

[streamin]

ray66,you hit the nail on the head: knowing what to use and when to use it, but more about dealing with problems makes a good painter. Not to mention color matching but not an issue with tractors.

 

[crowbar032]

I appreciate everyones comments and advice. If, as mentioned above, I could find someone who would do it for $500 I wouldn't even be thinking about trying it myself. I've got a couple of calls out, but haven't heard back from anyone yet. The head hasn't come back yet and the nose cone isn't here yet either, so I've still got some time to decide. It's entirely too cold right now to paint anyway. I was hoping that I wouldn't have to take the sheet metal back apart, but we'll see.

Just as another point of reference though, I've attached a pic. This is the only place that is rusted through that will need to be fixed. There are dimples on both fenders that will need to be filled with bondo. The dimples are overtop of the underlying structure of the fender and I don't think they can be hammered out. At least "I" can't hammer them out.