Your opinion of John Deere paint jobs?

[GMC2]

My 5203 paint is still doing very well after 86 hours, except for the rear rims which are rusting around the valve stems. The rims are not fadding yet, but i will have to fix the paint around the stems.

 

[EdC]

My paint job has been holding up pretty well. No problem with fading o green or yellow. A little bit of rust where a rock (ten pounds or so) hit the small metal cover that fits over the hydraulic lines behind the FEL and took off the paint.

 

[nails_n_glue]

At 50 hours the majority of the 2520 paint looks still new. Although when I took delivery there were many scrapes and scratches now rust spots. There are some finishing problems around welds and edges. Dealer included free can of green paint to cover rust spots and finishing problems but I haven't had the time to use.

What surface preparation should I do before applying the green paint in a can?

Overall I am amazed though at how well the paint in the bucket stands up to the punishment I have given it.

 

[EdC]

nails_n_glue

I'd prep the surface first; clean it then sand with 120/150 grit or thereabouts so the primer will have something to bite into. Then I would prime, zinc chromate if you can get it other wise any good primer. Then two thin coats of JD green. Let it dry in between coats.

Won't be as smooth as a car finish but will be pretty durable. If you want a smother finish go with 240 grit.

 

[leadslead51]

i just happened to notice you have the same trac and mower i have, have you ever had an issue with the cutting height adjustments for the mower. i set mine at max which i think is 4" or 4.5" and when i lower the mower with joy stick i swear it looks like it is cutting at 3.5 or less, is there some other adjustment or some way i can make it cut higher? thanks in advance, robb gwaltney, richmond virginia, btw, i just ordered one of the protero collection systems, it appears to be a great system

 

[Kamik]

After 124 hours of operation, two winters blowing snow laced with sand and salt, sitting in the sun all day and getting a daily #1 application from 10 sled dogs (it sits in the dog yard), my 2520 paint job looks good as new, but then I've waxed it with Turtlewax:

• 30 days after delivery it received 2 coats of F21;
• Being unhappy with the result I changed to Ice, and during the first autumn before temps fell below 50F, it received 3 coats;
• then the next summer it received another 3 coats.

Finally, last autumn, I sprayed everything but engine, hood and fenders with FludiFilm and love the result.

Going forward all large, flat, easy to reach areas will get Ice and all those other edges and voids that are either hard to reach or are knuckle busters will get FluidFilm.

 

[ilmoman]

I have a 2010 3320 with less than 20 hrs on it and I also have had lots of paint problems not only on the metal parts but I had to have the right rear fender replaced because the paint was peeling off in large patchs along the edge. It seems JD is cutting corners just like everyone else. This tractor is not as good as the 2003 4110 that I traded in. there are a lot of cheaper built parts on this one. I keep mine inside and I dont see it lasting like the older tractors do.

 

[RoyJackson]

My old 670 (1991 model) paint was faded, but a good compounding would have fixed that (if I had a mind to). My current 790 (2003 model) paint is pretty good. The loader bucket is scraped up a bit, but nothing Rustoleam primer and Deere spray paint can't fix.
I look at my tractors as tools more then a "love affair" so I expect some fading.
This is farm country around here and there are a lot of Deeres around...some decades old. Considering the age of them, the paint is in pretty good shape.
(Back to my tractor) I take care of the minor rust spots, but for the most part, I think I'll let her age gracefully.

 

[beenthere]

Deere paint has held up very well on my 4300...with 650 hours, over 10 years old, and washed and waxed once or twice a year. Always blow dry it with the pressure air hose to remove dust and any collected moisture.
I won't say what I observe with other brands.
And I've been through the Augusta, GA Deere plant and the Horicon, WI plant to see the impressive paint system they operate.
But the paint nowdays doesn't compete well with the lead paint of yesteryear. Another place we shot ourselves in the foot with our "improvements".