Tractor Painting basics

[Eriklane]

I have no compressor or experience with 'pro' painting. For those of you that use a compressor and all the 'real' spray gear think it would cost to get the tools needed to do this?

Looking for a detailed list of tools needed and wondering what you figure

 

[Anonymous-0]

Air compressor- 300.00
spray gun- 50.00
respirator- 25.00

aerosal cans- 5.00 a can and there tractors that are painted with rattle cans that look better than ones painted with a gun.

 

[R Geiger (or)]

When painting with compressor and spray gun don't forget to use an air-oil seperator in the air line.

 

[fatdaddy]

And lots of things you don't even think about until you get into it.When you start sanding and grinding on those old tractors you're gonna find lots you didn't know was there.I'm finding that out the hard way,but still fun to do.

 

[Ed S.]

Unless you have other projects in mind for which you can use all the painting equipment (in which case I'd definitely invest in it), you'll do just fine with rattle cans.

Prep is everything in your paint job, so make sure to spend the time cleaning all loose paint, grime and dirt off everything. A cup wire brush in an angle grinder works great, or search the boards or Google for how to make an electrolysis tank to cheaply and safely remove paint and rust from metal.

Once you're down to bare metal, wipe clean with a thinner of some sort and the brush on a good primer that's matched to your top coat. I used red oxide primer from TSC with good results. You can brush primer on the sheet metal parts, but will need to sand the brush marks out before the top coat if you do - rattle can primer may be better there. You won't notice brush marks on the cast parts.

Lightly sand the primed parts after they have dried a day or two, de-dust and start in with your top coat (from cans or a gun). Use a hardener if you use a gun - ValSpar makes some that's easy to mix in, and gives good results.

Ask ten guys what the right shades of red and grey are, and you'll likely get twelve answers. I used Rustoleum Sunrise Red and TSC Ford Grey (which I ended up tinting to better match the original color). Rustoleum also has an Olive Grey color that's supposed to be a close match, but is hard to find.

If you decide to invest in a gun and kit, find something to practice on before you shoot your tractor. Google for painting tips - should be lots out there... Also remember to do a thorough cleanup on everything when done so your equipment lasts...

Post pics and questions - we're glad to help!

es

 

[MR in MN]

Also use a regulator. I spray at about 35-40 PSI. Thinner the paint, less PSI. You'll have 2 knobs on your cheap spray gun. one for volume of air, the other for volume of paint. Practice on plywood or cardboard to ge use to the settings. Use a hardener, it dries faster and looks better than without. Paint from a gun goes on much thicker than from a can.

 

[Walston]

They have a book at Tractor Supply Company called [u:aaca4dcf74]How to paint my tractor?[/u:aaca4dcf74][i:aaca4dcf74] It is cheap and pretty good for the basics.[/i:aaca4dcf74]