MF "Gray"?

I posted this on the Paint forum, but didn't get questions answered, so figured I'd try here.

I have a '61 Massey 65 that is (finally) going back together after some more extensive than planned internal work in the rear end, and now that things are at least degreased, I'd like to spit some paint on the cast. It's more for weather protection than making pretty, but I'd still prefer the right color.

The YT store here lists about 6 choices, including aluminum (probably not), 2 or 3 grays (probably Fergie), a "Flint Gray metallic" (flint, the stone, seems too dark) and "Silver Mist Metalic" (possible match). To confuse things more, the Official Parts Book lists the 3 Official paint colors as a Red (obvious Ag), a Yellow (obvious industrial), and a "830694M1 Bronze (U.S. quart)"; also available in gallons and rattle cans. What? Bronze?? :shock: Since when did they paint these things as trophies?

One more question: It's pretty well known that the original paints on tractors were enamel (probably factory baked for faster cure). Other than the lead content, what is the difference between those enamels and the "alkyd" enamels currently readily available that most serious refinishers despise? Obviously some are far better than others.

Maybe a rating scale - if Centari (if still available) is a 9 or 10, and Majic is a 1, where would Tisco enamel be?

This is what AGCO parts lookup shows for paint colors for the 65.
Part number 830708M2 Red Enamel (U.S. Gallon)
Part number 830695M1 Bronze (U.S. Gallon)
Part number 768974M1 Yellow Enamel (U.S. Quart)

The grey on all of the MF 65s that I have worked on was what
we in the UK call Stoneleigh Grey.
Unless someone out there knows better.

I think I replied to you previously, I have a picture ad of a MH-50 Massey Harris with "bronze" looking painted engine, tranny, front and rear and grill. Looks just like a new penny. Yes,sorta weird.
Too many greys? Shoot, there"s more. I have a MF-240-S and the grey is called "Charcoal Grey", a nice deep dark sorta brown-gray... I think they musta sat around late at night and thought every possible gray they could..

The Flint Metallic Gray is what you want. The bronze was used on the Massey Harris 50, 333, 444 and 555.

Flint metallic gray is a darker gray, my brothers 135, and 150 has that on them.

Bob N.Y is correct. Flint metallic. The 50 early
production was
called Massey Harris 50 and had the bronze paint
but not the 65, at least in the U.S. Chuck

I used Tisco Flint gray metalic from YT

oops, something happened to the pic

wjytexas, Thanks for the picture - it's worth more than words.
Yup, that looks like the right shade.

Thanks to everyone else for the informative replies as well.

Now that it's been mentioned, I seem to recall seeing a pic of a MH done in bronze here a while back - I just didn't put it together with MF, because every 60's / 70's one I've seen has been 'silver/gray' on the cast, and not seeing a silver/gray listed in the parts catalog was a bit surprising.

And yes, when at the Dealer I've looked at some of the newer ones with the brown/gray, and it doesn't look as good to me. Maybe it was done to not show mud quite as much.

BATTLE SHIPP GRAY IN ENAMAL IS THE CORRECT COLOR FOR FERGUSEN