How do you finish the axle?

Lieu

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I am restoring a John Deere H. Browning's restoration guide recommends not finishing the splined axle shaft. How do you keep it from rusting?

Mine is a bit pitted, but I have it cleaned up now.

Recommendations appreciated.
 
Is that available in a rattle can, or do your brush or spray on?

Putting your wheels on will scar this paint, so do you put it on after you put the wheels on?

Thanks for your help.
 
Black paint is used by many, but after cleaning axles I apply an aerosol product called "LPS 3 Premier Rust Inhibitor". It sprays on and drys quite clear so the axles look like they did from the factory. It doesn't add any dimension to the axle so if you want to slide your wheels to a different location, you don't have to fight a coating of paint. And it doesn't exactly "dry", but cures to a thin soft wax-like finish that self-heals reasonably if scratched. I first used it on a sickle bar mower that was left outside for over a year (sun, snow, rain, etc.), and the shiny parts stayed perfect. The downside is that it ain't cheap - sometime like $14 for a rattle can, but it's pretty good stuff. Oh, it is slippery stuff, so if your axles/splines/wheel/clamping ring aren't in good shape, there might be a possibility that your wheels might slip along the axle, but I haven't had that problem...
 
It lasts a couple of years on my tractor (show and parade only) before it looks like it needs to be reapplied. It's easy to lay it on too heavy, so I try to do a couple of light dust coats which is all that is necessary.
 
Dan, can you clarify and help me reconcile whether it dries clear or not. I found the product you recommended on Amazon, and here is what they said about the product: "lps 3 does not go on clear. This is more of a lighter version of cosmsline, a heavy petroleum parfin waxes. The color is more a light tan and remains soft and tacky for quite some time. Its perfect for anything you want to prevent rust or oxidation in humid environments. Lps 3 is easily removed with brake cleaner. For a more long term rust prevention you should look at lps Procyon which is hard coat dry film".
 
They are not painted from the factory but after decades of weather they get rusty and are nasty to get the wheels to slide. I paint mine black and my great grandkids or whoever tries to move the wheels in or out better know enough to remove the paint first.
 
On all mine leave axles bare and whenever needed use scouring pad with WD-40 then wipe clean. All the tractors are kept in a barn.
 
That Amazon review is fairly accurate. LPS 3 isn't perfectly clear, but in my opinion, it isn't colored enough to matter when used on an axle. The top photo is one I shot this morning for this post. It was coated about a year ago and has been through several washings and one torrential rainstorm while being trailered. The other pic is of a shovel that has been partially coated; the left side has the LPS 3, the right side is plain, untreated steel. I haven't tried that LPS Procyon, but it sounds like it might be better than the LPS 3 which does take quite a while to set up is fairly soft (can rub off on your pants leg for a few weeks).
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