Why to only use OEM paint.

[sixdogs]

Here's why I only** use OEM paint for my ag repairs and projects. This is a "gift" I made for the wife out of an old moldboard. Yeah, I'm a great guy.








I painted this around six years ago or maybe longer. It's hard to see but the shine is still there and it does not look appreciably different from the day I painted it. It was not sanded but given one coat of Rustolem rusty metal primer and 10 minutes later two coats of IH Red paint. I want to say it was acrylic enamel but not positive. It sits in the hot sun whenever it's hot and sunny, gets rained on and if the one dog can reach it, gets whizzed on occasionally.

Here's what I think and have written several times before. I think that factory OEM paint is kind of a loss leader for factories and they pour their heart into the product. Why not? It's cheap advertising since anyone using factory paint is restoring one of their products and going through some effort to do it. Would you want them to use crap farm store paint so their stuff looks like junk or cut them a price deal on great paint so everyone marvels at that restored item and gets a positive image of the product from it? Not hard to figure out.

Not all paints are the same so search my former posts if you care but a lot of factory paint is acrylic paint that would cost six times as much if it were auto paint. And here it is just a few dollars more than farm store paint.

**Now, for a piece of ground engaging equipment like a drag harrow I will sometimes use cheaper paint if the item will be destroyed in an hour or be sold quickly. Even then I try to get Rustoleum Ag paint because it's pretty good for that use. I will not use the biggest farm store paint regardless of need, or if pigs fly; whichever comes first.

 

[carmedic310]

The problem isn't "cheaper paint" persay Its not even comparing apples to apples.The farm store equipment paint is most often an alkyd based paint or a synthetic enamel which pigments used do not hold up very well.Laquer paints are not very durable either.To get durability Acrylic enamals catalized are by far a lot better.If you were going to do like a show piece that you wanted to last urethanes or epoxy's are the way to go.But again the better you get the more cost there is.

 

[fried1765]

Here's why I only** use OEM paint for my ag repairs and projects. This is a "gift" I made for the wife out of an old moldboard. Yeah, I'm a great guy.



View attachment 463384




I painted this around six years ago or maybe longer. It's hard to see but the shine is still there and it does not look appreciably different from the day I painted it. It was not sanded but given one coat of Rustolem rusty metal primer and 10 minutes later two coats of IH Red paint. I want to say it was acrylic enamel but not positive. It sits in the hot sun whenever it's hot and sunny, gets rained on and if the one dog can reach it, gets whizzed on occasionally.

Here's what I think and have written several times before. I think that factory OEM paint is kind of a loss leader for factories and they pour their heart into the product. Why not? It's cheap advertising since anyone using factory paint is restoring one of their products and going through some effort to do it. Would you want them to use crap farm store paint so their stuff looks like junk or cut them a price deal on great paint so everyone marvels at that restored item and gets a positive image of the product from it? Not hard to figure out.

Not all paints are the same so search my former posts if you care but a lot of factory paint is acrylic paint that would cost six times as much if it were auto paint. And here it is just a few dollars more than farm store paint.

**Now, for a piece of ground engaging equipment like a drag harrow I will sometimes use cheaper paint if the item will be destroyed in an hour or be sold quickly. Even then I try to get Rustoleum Ag paint because it's pretty good for that use. I will not use the biggest farm store paint regardless of need, or if pigs fly; whichever comes first.

Do you know anything about the quality of "Majik Town & Country" Alkyd Enamel sold by Agri-Supply?

 

[nybirdman]

Do you know anything about the quality of "Majik Town & Country" Alkyd Enamel sold by Agri-Supply?

I know enough to "not" buy it.

 

[carmedic310]

If your painting something you want to last use acrylic enamel with the hardener (catalyst).Alkyd enamel is inexpensive equipment enamel with poor color holdout especially in reds and orange's.It does not hold its shine for a long time and chalks up a lot faster

 

[sixdogs]

If your painting something you want to last use acrylic enamel with the hardener (catalyst).Alkyd enamel is inexpensive equipment enamel with poor color holdout especially in reds and orange's.It does not hold its shine for a long time and chalks up a lot faster

The above is true, yes, but if you paint with a catalyzed hardener, you can irreversibly damage your lungs--in one use-- unless you have an (expensive) external supplied air system. Filters are useless. The better way for the amateur hobbyist, which is what we are, is to stick with the OEM paint that is likely acrylic enamel or close enough for us. It's way good enough for implements or the occasional tractor, is inexpensive and is probably what came on the equipment when it was new. Take a look at the photo at the start of this thread. It's IH factory OEM red, is probably acrylic enamel, had no hardener added and has had zero chalking after years in the weather. That's my point; the OEM factory stuff is close enough for all but the purist and filter masks work fine. Most of us never even leave our stuff outside to weather.

Had I used tractor store paint, it would have chalked in spades by now so I steer clear of that. As mentioned, I will use Rustoleum Tractor Match paint on the occasional throwaway item that will be for sale fast or dragged through the dirt before it's all the way dry. No alkyd enamel from a tractor store.

 

[varmint]

Having used NAPA "Kubota" orange rattle cans, whatever TSC sells for Kubota orange, and OEM Kubota orange (both spray cans and quarts) I would say that the OEM is well worth the premium price. It covers much better, doesn't fade, and is just better. I use two part epoxy primer underneath it, so adhesion is not an issue. And this is my experience for both the old and the new orange finishes.

 

[/pine]

Methinks the more a company has to lose by using lessor quality paint...well...the more it has to lose...!

The term OEM is too broad for the paint statement IMO...unless only referring to major brands of equipment etc...

It would be interesting to hear what EA or other home grown manufacturers have been through with the development of their operation in regard to paint/finishes and suppliers...and how they test etc...

Those of us that do not have the room to keep implements out of the elements only have the paint to rely on...

 

[fried1765]

Methinks the more a company has to lose by using lessor quality paint...well...the more it has to lose...!

The term OEM is too broad for the paint statement IMO...unless only referring to major brands of equipment etc...

It would be interesting to hear what EA or other home grown manufacturers have been through with the development of their operation in regard to paint/finishes and suppliers...and how they test etc...

Those of us that do not have the room to keep implements out of the elements only have the paint to rely on...

As an equipment consumer (hobby only) I can personally speak to one particular manufacturer paint job.
King Kutter does horrible paint work (I have a KK tiller & a KK back blade).
They apparently do not prewash, or prime their equipment before painting.
They do get a nice looking finish, but it begins to chip off the first time you use it.
I have complained to them about it, and others have done the same.
I keep implements inside, but if I did not, they would be showing plenty of rust spots.

 

[sixdogs]

When I said OEM paint, I meant tractor manufacturer OEM paints. The ones I can speak of are JD, Kubota, NH, CAT, MF, etc. Most all implements are one of those colors anyway but a short line maker is likely to use the cheapest off-brand available. By the way, Kubota factory paint is truly outstanding. It's pretty pricey but really top shelf.