Classic Deere Paint

[Cory Hulliung]

I am getting ready to paint a JD M and I am wanting to know if anybody has any experience in this as far as making it look good. What to use as a primer, clearcoat or not, sanding, Deere paint or aftermarket...
I would really like it to look sharp when it is finished. Any info is helpful.

Thanks!

 

[johndeerefan]

To answer your question, you can spend as much as you want to. Go to the paint forum and read some of the past post on there. As anyone will tell you, the final product is 90% preparation. The paint type of choice is the other 10% and most of it is the longivity of the finish, not the glossy shine. JD dealer paint is cheaper than base coat / clear coat automotive paint, but JD dealer paint doesn't like the sun. It really comes down to money, storage facility from sun, proper safety gear, and the usage of the tractor.

Me personally, I use ppg epoxy primer, ppg filler sandable primer, jd dealer implement paint with ppg hardener. Some people will clear coat over this. However, you have to make darn sure the type of clear is compatible or you will have problems. I personally don't clear coat because eventually the clear will get scuffed or peel where you couldn't get a good application and therefore touch up would be a lot harder than using JD enamel paint. Using enamel paint, all you have to do is scuff the area and spot shoot it in.

Here are photos of tractors I have restored using strictly JD dealer enamel implement paint. They have been painted for a couple of years and still look like new paint. I still win best of show at several of the shows I attend. The secret is to keep them out of the sunlight when possible. The sun will fade the shine over a couple of years exposure. My 520 gets some sun exposure during hay season, but it hasn't shown any signs of aging either. I put it back in the garage ever night. The model A only sees the sun when it goes to and from a show.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Why would you put a cheap jobbing house muffler on such a beautiful 520?

 

[johndeerefan]

The muffler is a reproduction JD dealer muffler. The rain cap is another story. My thoughts were before it was restored, it had a rain cap when my dad bought it 30 years ago. Just couldn't bear to change it. It just wouldn't be the same tractor as I remember as a kid. The cap popping does get annoying, but it sounds just like it always did when I was a kid.

 

[PBrowning]

Here's a tip for you. If you decide to go with JD Synthetic Enamel (SE) with a hardener, a very reasonably priced hardener compatible with SE is NAPA's Martin Senour CrossFIRE 15118.

Be sure to go to the site listed below to check out decal location for your Model "M" tractor. Also, decals for the "M" are "serial number-sensitive. Look under ARTICLES/DIAGRAMS, and then under ARTICLES 1. Be sure to buy your decal set from someone like Travis Jorde so that you receive the correct ones. (PatB)
Restoration Site, JD H Tractors

 

[Anonymous-0]

The correct muffler looks like the one on a model 50 or late B.

 

[johndeerefan]

This is the one it has on it. Besides, it is a lot better than a chrome straight pipe.

http://www.deerelydeparted.com/p-351-muffler-for-john-deere-b-96000-bn-bw-50-520-530-tractors.aspx

 

[PBrowning]

Oh Tom -- Come on! This is a fine looking tractor. Lets drop the "correct police" crap and get on with life! (PatB)

 

[Art Massing]

JDFan,
As long as you like the way the muffler looks and sounds that is all that matters.

You did a great job restoring your tractors. I"d be willing to bet that your paint job has fewer runs than when it came out of the factory.

Have fun with them,

Art

 

[Heath72]

I use the John Deere Classic green paint with a good dose of hardener and slow-drying thinner and it shines just as good as the PPG acrylic enamel I have always used on my Moline tractors. Deere seems to have good quality paint, and another thing is, it is always the same color. It doesn't matter whether you buy it in a spray can, quart or gallon, it always seems to match.

I don't think that fading is as much of an issue when you use the hardener. Around here, the 40 series Deere tractors and newer ones all still look very good. Of course, most guys keep them inside a majority of the time, and that makes a big difference. I don't think that they used any hardener in the factory paint back in the 70's and 80's either.

 

[pbb]

Question? Is JD Classic Green dealer paint a lighter shade then JD AG Green? I painted my A with AG Green. My D was painted by my late father but its alot lighter shade of green.Its been painted for a few years now and it could of faded over time. I didnt know what he painted it with. My D needs a few places touched up but i put AG Green on the bad spots it was alot darker.

 

[Patsdeere]

Yes classic is much lighter than the current green.

 

[Bspauld]

The Classic JD green is $15 more then the new green,I would bet it dont cost any more to make it then the new color. My dealer said it was supply and demand

 

[Anonymous-0]

"Classic Green" is a marketing ploy to sell paint. Most restorers use the slightly darker, richer Ag Green.

 

[The Dukester]

Yeah, Yeah, but it would have been so easy to get the correct muffler...and eliminate all controversy....after all those box store mufflers are not what came on the tractor....or even close. I use a Stanley on my MM UTU but that's because it's real difficult to get an original......not so with a John Deere 520 replacement.

 

[johndeerefan]

Comments like the ones in this topic is what is really making me and people I know angry with this forum. I have thought long and hard about posting this comment, but something really needs to be said. The pictures I posted were to give examples of what JD implement paint looks like, which goes along with the topic. Not to be scrutinized for a reproduction muffler. You all should really get a life if all you worry about are the small little detail imperfections on other people's projects. Why don't you post photos so people can pick your work to death. I didn't think so. It's too easy to blast others. This should be a hobby that we are thankful these relics didn't end up in a junk pile. You guys are getting too much like the car collector people. It is really starting to take the fun out of the hobby. Not only does it outrage me about comments toward my collection, but I don't like hearing negative comments made toward anyones tractor. After all, they put the hard work and money into it, not you. We are all in this together so enjoy them all for what they are, not what they aren't.

 

[Ryan_289]

I think your tractors look great! I know its wrong but I acually like the round mufflers better than the big oval ones. What color is that? Classic green or regular green?

 

[johndeerefan]

Thanks for the compliments. I am not really venting toward comments made about my tractors as much as I see it on this site constantly with other people's possessions. I guess seeing those comments made toward mine on a topic that is not even about mufflers really set a spark off with me. There are a few on this site that nothing is ever good enough for them. If I wanted their comments about which muffler to use, I would have posted a topic about it.

To answer your question, it's classic green. Everyone talks about most people use the darker Ag green, but every show I go to throughout the year everyone of them is painted with classic green. It is really a matter of personal preference in my book as long as it is green and yellow and has the leaping deere logo.

 

[Moore-D]

(quoted from post at 08:03:10 06/01/10)
Why don't you post photos so people can pick your work to death. I didn't think so. It's too easy to blast others.

Very true. [u:82e155e760]Some[/u:82e155e760] people that post negative comments about someone else projects usually have nothing to back up what they are preaching. johndeerefan went through the trouble of replying and linking up some of his pictures in order to help the original poster. These comments are what makes some people hesitant about posting a reply in fear they will get flamed for something they have said or shown.

Pretty un-called for.

Moore-D

 

[Hotflashjr]

I am using JD Classic Green on my LA. I bought a gallon and also spray cans for nuts, bolts, etc. I have been using just the rattle can primer from Tractor Supply and have had no issues. I was told by many people that the letter series tractors should be painted with the classic green to be "correct", not the darker new color. Personal preference, but I like the classic green myself. No clear coat, but I did buy the JD hardener after using a different brand. I had a lot of issues with the first few parts having the paint lift off easily even after a few months dry time. I have found the longer the dry time before re-assembly, the harder the JD paint.