1951 8N Paint

[8N Memories]

Life started on the fender of an 8N. Now at 56 and living in Iowa, I'm working to make a "51" 8N; trying to make it look respectable. Looking for any suggestions from those of you who have "been there done that". Have heard its best to brush on the engine/frame/rear and spray the hood/fenders etc. I am open to any and all ideas/suggestions concerning: prep work, paint codes, suppliers, shortcuts, etc. Thanks in advance.

 

[Bruce (VA)]

I brushed the cast & sprayed the rest of it. OMNI AE 72266 Red & 31657 Ford tractor gray. I got most all of it down to bare metal before I painted it.

50 Tips

 

[Anonymous-0]

I like to keep my 3pt. Implements looking good but don't care for the high cost of paint. I've found safety red rustolium matches n-red pretty close. It's about half the cost per gal. at Lowes compared to TSC's tractor paint. It covers well also.

 

[DollarBill]

Looking for any suggestions from those of you who have "been there done that".

As with any painting project, preparation is 90 percent of the final product.

Remove the sheet metal and set aside. Scrape heavy deposits of grease and oil from engine, transmission and rear end. Spray thick coats of a quality oven cleaner (Warning - contains lye). Let it sit overnight and the next day power wash to remove any loose paint.

An angle grinder/wire brush will remove any remaining loose paint. It's not necessary to strip to bare metal as long as the existing paint is well adhered.

Wash down with Prep Sol, and blow dry with air hose.

You can brush the castings but spraying will be much faster and you'll be able to get into a lot of nook and crannies that a brush won't reach.

Save the sheet metal for last - It takes more work because it's flat and more visible.

Your intended use for this tractor will dictate what paint to use. If it's going to be a barn queen you can use Rustoleum - Good paint but will fade if it spends a lot of time out in the sun. It holds back rust and can be easily touched up. It does not tolerate gas/oil very well. Sunrise Red is a good approximation of the original Ford color.

I taped off and painted Ms Daisy in sections with rattle cans - Here's a photo I took just after getting the sheet metal back on.

The hood/fenders is Tisco TP 240-SP also sprayed with a rattle can.

Paint with a hardener will dry faster, have more gloss and be more durable with some additional cost. I'm told that you can use hardener in Rustoleum but I've not tried it. There are also health considerations when spraying two-part paint.

 

[Plane Bart]

I used Metholyne Chloride acid stripper to take my 9N down to bare metal AKA Paint striper can be found at Wal-mart Home depot etc about $20 a gallon works fast removes grease real well also get smoe small wire brushes chemical gloves use in a well ventalated area.
used bulldog adhesion promoter on the cast iron before spraying on the sealer primer.
used epoxy primer for the sheet metal
preperation is what will give you the best paint job the better the prep work the better the finish[/img]

 

[FMPreacher]

Gentlemen I'm really glad to see this post. I just completed an engine rebuild, new radiator, rewire with 12 volt conversion. Plan to go through the hydraulics next. Then I want to paint it just to make it look nice. This is Dads ole 9, I know he'd rather it be a worker than a looker. It will be a worker stored in the shop. I don't want to spend a fortune on a paint job but I do want something pretty decent though.
God Bless You & Your "N"

 

[T.D.From Iowa]

Another Iowa boy with a soft spot for 8n tractors. I sprayed mine with tisco red and the
grey they have and I really like it. Prep is 90% of your paint job and it take alot of your time but its well worth it. I used alot of napa degreaser and dollar general oven cleaner and wire brushes also work good on a drill. Like others have said you need to remove all sheet metal and clean clean clean

 

[Eriklane]

I made the mistake of using Tisco rattle cans. Spray paint looks amazing, and it's easy, fast. Then, a year later, it's dull and you'll hate it.

So, don't bother.

I've actually tried brushing liquid Ford red on and it's sharp, but, you have to do it slow and careful, and not too thick, or it'll run...we'll see if it keeps it's shine next year. I don't have spray equip, or a barn to spray in, and don't wanna spend the big $ to have it done right...And you have to have a big compressor also...Spraying with good equip also takes a skill and know-how...not a novice undertaking.

 

[Eriklane]

 

[Dell (WA)]

Preacher........you do know 9N's came 1-color (battleship gray) from the factory, don't you? They do NOT sell a "correct" 9N Ford gray ...but... the current Ferguson TE-20 or TO-20 gray is correct match. Ittz'chur tractor, paint it enny color (except green & yellow) that pleases you ........Dell, the 20/20 painter (looks good at 20ft or 20mph)

 

[Colin King]

I used Valspar primer and their hardner with their implement enamel. I sprayed both cast and sheet with good results. The paint held up with a shine through a season of field work and out-side summer storage.

Colin, MN