Tractor: spray paint or spray booth?

[Builder]

Guys,

The previous owner dumped a load of stone backwards on the hood. No dents, just a couple hundred paint chips with little rust spots under each one.

I can sand & spray paint for $15 and a lot of sanding labor, or I can take it to an autobody shop and have it done for $200-$250. I don't have any shop equipment for painting. The hood is kind of the showpiece sheetmetal for the tractor.

What would you do?

 

[bx23barry]

Well I would just run it or if it bugged me sand and paint. I wouldn't have a shop paint it for sure. But I'm more concerned with using a tractor than looking at it, plus I'm cheap on stuff like that. Even my custom harley is only getting a $650 paint job.

 

[chh]

Do a good job of sanding if you spray can it. I just did a so-so job and it looked good when I did it. Doesn't looks so good 4 years later. Mine was on my MF 4243 and I got something on the hood and upper side panels that was taking the paint off.

 

[Builder]

Well I would just run it or if it bugged me sand and paint. I wouldn't have a shop paint it for sure. But I'm more concerned with using a tractor than looking at it, plus I'm cheap on stuff like that. Even my custom harley is only getting a $650 paint job.

I'm the same way, too, or I wouldn't do this stuff for a living, but I don't like the idea of letting my hood go to crap and have rust holes in it in another year. It's a $70K machine (new) and with my pickup "only" costing $40K new, I wouldn't le the pickup hood look like that either.

I have been able to do some pretty nice work with a spray can, but it never seems to last.

 

[Runner]

Being somewhat **** about such things, I'd fix it right, particularly if it's the only cosmetic problem with the tractor. The way I look at it is this: Even if the previous owner was a little careless, you won't be, so why not have it the way you want it for the duration of your ownership? Also, it won't hurt the resale value.

 

[BTackett]

Sand it, primer , paint with spray cans( several light layers) and then use a good clear coat in a can. I have done many jobs like that and they still look good years later. spray paint is almost like regular paint you just have to apply it a little different. You could fix it yourself for probably $30 and a little labor.

Just a note: I was at Lowes yesterday and they now have JD green/yellow in spray cans labeled at tractor paint. Neat.

I fix things right but, if it is not a brand new tractor then fix it yourself.


Bill

 

[ray66v]

If it is the hood from a full size Case tractor, $200-250 would be a little cheap.
I would be able to sand it down and blow some paint on it for that. But, if it has a lot of chips, removing all the paint in the affected areas, (easier than feathering then all out), can be a time consuming process. Then to refinish it with quality material so it holds up, I'm guessing $250-350, would get you a "like new" hood. (The really tough paint is expensive).
Unless your, real particular or, going to baby it, I think I would leave it go. Have some touch-up work done on it when you sell it, that way it looks its best when it really needs to.

 

[Builder]

Just got an offer from a local refinisher of equipment (biggest guy around) to blast it, primer it and paint it with the good urethane paint from PP&G for $175. I actually have a matching cowling that's not damaged, just faded, and he said he'd do that with no extra charge. So that was too much for me to turn down.

I'm $175 poorer, but I think it'll enhance my happiness, the looks and the resale value of the machine.

Thanks for your suggestions.

 

[Wayne County Hose]

The shops out by you must be slow. That's a darn good price.

 

[Runner]

I feel better already.