Allenlane,
Here's how I paint one.
First of all I remove most everything
off the tractor - tin, starter, carb or
injector pump and lines, generator,
etc, etc.
I paint those items seperately.
Then I'll spend a bunch of time on it
with the pressure washer.
Then I mix 50/50 liquid Tide in a pump
type garden sprayer and spray it down
and let it soak. I keep it wet so it
doesnt dry out and use various brushes
to get all the nooks and crannys clean.
Pressure wash again.
Then I take several types of wire
wheels on the angle grinder and clean
off any old flaking paint - I use hand
brushes too. I don't try to remove all
the old paint. If it's still bonded
well it will be fine.
Then another treatment of Tide and
pressure washing.
Let it sit for a day or two to dry.
I use lacquer thinner and a couple
kinds of brushes to wash it down. Catch
the thinner in a pan and reuse. You
will be amazed at how dirty the thinner
gets - ie, still a lot of oil residue,
etc.
The lacquer thinner etches the old
paint and makes the new paint bond
really well.
Then I spot prime as needed. I just use
Rustoleum red primer and thin it with
lacquer thinner which makes it dry
really fast.
I use rustoleum red primer in rattle
cans too.
Let the primer dry for an hour or two -
depending on temp, etc. Then I shoot
the paint.
I think it's impotant to prime/paint
while the old paint is still soft from
the lacquer thinner wash - a couple, 3
hours at most.
Most of the tractors in the photos
below are long gone. I'll make one
pretty then change my mind and want
something else so I sell it.
Wish I could have kept them all ;(
All the red ones were my pal Kenny's.
Shown are a 960, 971, and an 860.
This yellow one is my latest. I had it
painted then had to split the
trans/rear end.
Ran out of time last fall so hoping to
get on it again this spring. It's dirty
now. Would shine more if I washed it.
I've always wanted a hard nose model.
It's made out of parts from several
tractors so it's an oddball, Jerry
rigged special.
