Preserving old tractor AS IS

[Tom RS]

I just bought a 1950 tractor that has a good old look to it. All original, decals still readable.
I will be using this tractor for light duty jobs so I don't need to restore it. Is there a good product to use to preserve it as-is?

 

[560Dennis]

I use fluid film on Farmall C for shows , and all around weather protection. This is short term though ,6 months to year . If you want to clear coat it. I haven’t done that ,someone might know how to fix you up .
I know vice grip garage has gloss and semi gloss products.

 

[Mark-Ia]

Fluid Film or a good coat of WD40

 

[Tgrasher]

Armour All works well and doesn't attract dust.

 

[Poonie]

I've used a mix of diesel and motor oil maybe a 70/30 mix, sprayed on using an spray bottle that fits to an air hose. Saw this guy named Marty t on you tube use it on his tractors. Does a nice job of preserving and shining up the metal. Just don't spray it on the seat or steering wheel or you'll be wearing it.

Don't listen to those guys that say "oh it'll stink up your garage". Maybe for a day that's it. Only downside is you need to reapply on occasion as it will dry up over time.

 

[joeysmith]

A shed

 

[showcrop]

I have to wonder about the maintenance of all of these oil coats. Any place I take tractors seems to be very dusty.

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

Fluid film, diesel, WD-40, etc. are all variations on the "boiled linseed oil" technique used by many old rat-rodders to get a certain look. It darkens the color and makes it look shiny, sometimes greasy.

To me the best treatment at least for the hood and tinwork, is a good old fashioned polishing with rubbing compound, and a coat of paste wax.

Nothing's maintenance-free. Need to keep things washed and waxed to keep it looking good.

 

[showcrop]

Fluid film, diesel, WD-40, etc. are all variations on the "boiled linseed oil" technique used by many old rat-rodders to get a certain look. It darkens the color and makes it look shiny, sometimes greasy.

To me the best treatment at least for the hood and tinwork, is a good old fashioned polishing with rubbing compound, and a coat of paste wax.

Nothing's maintenance-free. Need to keep things washed and waxed to keep it looking good.

Any time I have gotten car wax on rust it dries white, and stays that way until I scrub it off. Not a good "as-is" look.

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

Any time I have gotten car wax on rust it dries white, and stays that way until I scrub it off. Not a good "as-is" look.

Yeah, wax isn't going to do rust any good. Does wonders for old paint, though, which is what I thought the OP was describing.

 

[woodman1928]

Boild linsead oil and it hardens up into a pretty decent protective coating

 

[Duner Wi]

My friend used the oily rag treatment on his 29 Chevy. I like it on certain things.

 

[dhermesc]

A shed

100% AGREE. Hand wash the tractor with a good car wash soap - then park it in a shed (that can be shut up). Cover it with a cloth cover if its going to sit for months/year at a time. The current finish will last another couple decades without noticeable change.

 

[jwal10]

Penetrol, needs re-newed yearly, or so. Check out 'Primered is best' on u-tube. I use it on my patina-ed street rods....James

 

[Flying V Ranch]

I just used Penetrol on my old Kubota and it looks great. The paint was so faded and chalky that it almost looked pink. A good scrub with detergent and a Scotchbrite pad smoothed out the rough rusted areas. After a thorough drying, I applied a thin coat of Penetrol right from the can using a soft rag. It dries overnight to a just right sorta matte look.