How to repaint garden tractor?

[Country-Boy]

I’m restoring my IH Cub Cadet 70. How much sanding should I do? I’m worried I won’t do a very nice job with a rattle can… How do you guys paint tractors nicely?

 

[Stephen Newell]

The most important part of repainting a tractor is to clean it. The slightest trace of oil on it which you can't detect will cause the paint to peal off. Depending on the amount of visible oil you might wash it with purple power and a power washer several times. If there is very oily spots you might use an engine degreaser or oven cleaner.

The paint in rattle cans is pretty bad and difficult to apply to large areas. Unless you plan on using automotive paint you might get a cheap harbor freight sprayer and use that to paint the tractor. I've had good luck with Rustoleum Tractor and Implement paint with hardener.

 

[Tgrasher]

Sanding only needs to scratch the shine off and to feather out (level) chips in the old paint.to Rattle cans from good paint companies can give you a nice result, but it takes practice using the same techniques as with a spray gun. Even coats in a sweeping motion, allowing 5 to 10 minutes between coats. Practice on a piece of cardboard or metal and watch the pattern for good overlap and steady even spray. Good light is important to see your overlaps. If Use a cheap can of paint, they have the worst nozzles and won't cost so much. When your happy with the result, your ready for the better cans that have nozzles that produce a good pattern. As mentioned above, clean as best you can and then wipe down with a paper towel wet with paint thinner which will show if there is still dirt/oil on your surfaces.

 

[showcrop]

The most important thing is to kill any rust. Even tiny rust particles that are painted over will lift the paint in 3-4 years.