Paint brands (decisions)

[Anonymous-0]

Evening to all,
Wondering if some might share experiences with paint brands. I have 1951 ford 8N and would like to find paint that is close to original. Have looked some archives here and still am hung up. Seems that anybody can spend as little or as much as they want for paint. I have looked at the paint at TSC going for about 35.00/gal. Looked at another farm store at Majic line for about 30.00/gal. Checked at another location selling Tisco for about 45.00/gal. Not sure if one is better than the other? I am only painting the hood, grille, and fenders and will sand blast. I am going to have an experienced painter do the spraying. I don't believe more than 2 quarts will be needed but somebody please correct me if I am wrong in this guess??. Any suggestions or opinions would be appreciated.

Regards,
Al

P.S. Please remember our veterans who have defended the freedoms we have today. To all who served THANK YOU!

 

[HCooke]

One of the first tractors I painted. Used CNH paint and their reducer. It was easy to apply, had nice gloss, and has remained that way for 7 years. I have used Van Sickle paint (similar to what they sell at TSC) and have been less happy.

 

[Colin King]

I used Valspar Ford Gray and Valspar Old IH Red. It's a year old and has held up well considering general lack of shelter and nearly daily on farm use during the summer months.

Colin, MN

 

[Beanmedic]

You are right about paying as much as you want for paint. I am certainly no expert, but just did my '53 Jubilee. I did use the TSC iron oxide (redish) primer. I even used it under the grey, because I thought it might be a better rust preventive. The primer [u:a5a42152e6]does no[/u:a5a42152e6]t use a hardener. Two coats using an inexpensive gravity feed HVLP paint gun (cost less than $100) did fine. I did have a drier (also inexpensive) on the air line to keep out moisture. As I am sure you have read, the cast iron is forgiving and can be sprayed or brushed. I sprayed (quicker) and brushed where I couldn't get with the spray gun.

For top coats I used the Tisco paints simply because I like the correct colors. Some of the reds available from TSC looked good, but I couldn't get comfortable with the grey choices. Whether TSC or Tisco, I think they are both acrylic enamels. Use the hardener (you can get it at TSC) in the top coats and you will get a quicker dry, better shine, harder paint that I hear holds its color better. It won't match the more expensive Urethanes, but will still look good.

Two quarts won't do it (I don't think). Do yourself a favor and buy a gallon of primer and each of the top coats. A gallon is less expensive than three quarts. You can get empty quart cans or canning jars and put the left over paint in them. I had less than a quart of red and grey left. I actually wound up buying two gallons of primer because I had other things to paint after the tractor. In any event, I used a little more than a gallon of primer on the tractor. Some of that was wasted because I couldn't shoot everything in one setting and lost a little each time I broke down the spray equipment and cleaned up. That is particularly wasteful if the finish color can't be sprayed all at once. Once the hardener is mixed in some of the paint it can't be saved for later.

Its like anything...the work is in the prep. Getting off the grease, dirt and loose paint is a chore. I'm sure you have read about lots of methods. There are no shortcuts to avoid the elbow grease. Just avoid the urge to use sandblasting on anything, unless it is removed and away from the tractor. Sand gets in everything and you will likely regret it later. I didn't have running water and couldn't pressure wash it. After days and days of scraping and wire brushing I had good luck with purple power that came from Advance Auto. It got rid of the grease and some of the loose paint. Still needed lots of scraping and sanding after. I actually sprayed everything down with Laquer thinner just before painting. (I was outside with no ignition sources)

These folks here know lots more than me. This was my first tractor paint job. Archives help a bunch. There is another forum on paint and finish. Search there too. OH...PLEASE wear eye protection and an appropriate breathing protection for your cleaning/painting activity. Some of this stuff is not forgiving.

 

[Jimmyjack]

Van Sickle paint is great paint, and they make it for tisco, I dont believe TSC.

 

[Beanmedic]

Thinking about quantities again. Even if just doing hood, fenders and grill I don't think you can quite do it with two quarts...IF...you paint the underside of those parts and shoot two or more coats. If shooting just the side that faces the out you might get away with just two quarts. Might consider shooting wheels or even brushing them with any left over.

 

[old-9]

I used Van Sickle Paint , because dealer was close. I have bought Tisco paint and found that Van Sickle makes Tisco brand. I had trouble with mixing the hardner I bought from an auto store and called Van Sickle support and talked to Dave. He was very helpful.
They have a Tractor hall of Fame on their website. If you used their paint send them a photo. joe
Untitled URL Link

 

[Ultradog MN]

I've painted about 10 tractors in the last 4 years and have had good luck with Valspar Restoration series. I'm a pretty good painter but not SO good that I need or can justify really fancy, expensive paint.
Make sure whatever paint you buy you use the hardner with it.

 

[gwo1973]

Which paint has the cream/beige tint to it? Thats the original paint that's still left on my fenders.

 

[newtattoobob]

I used the Tisco medium grey and the new holland red that Just 8N's sells.

 

[Athrawn17]

So which is the UltraDog in the pic? The guy or the dog sniffing the guy's leg? LOL. :lol:

 

[Ultradog MN]

She knows she is. I'm not so sure