Stopping rust

Anonymous-0 · Oct 5, 2013

I have a 1952 B John Deere. I have been debating whether or not to refinish the tractor. There is debate as to whether a tractor is more valuable in its original condition or to refinish and repaint. My question is: if you decide not to refinish/repaint, rather to maintain the tractor in its present condition what steps can be taken to prevent any further rust. Thanks.

RandyB(MI) · Oct 6, 2013

Just my opinion but anything you do like spraying clear on it to preserve it is no different than painting it. If , in fact, it is good enough to leave original, then by all means do just that. If you oil it or wd40 it or clear it , it will all come off sooner or later. Just keep it in and dry the best you can and make sure there is plenty of air circulation around it when housed. Shoot us a pic if possible. RB

Anonymous-0 · Oct 6, 2013

Thank you for the response. The tractor looks like it did when it was shedded after my father in law retired from farming. Some places are rusty, a lot have grim and oil, and some are in good shape. Stated differently, the tractor looks like it did when it came in from the field.

D beatty · Oct 6, 2013

If you want to leave it like it is You will need to store it inside with heat when needed and be able to control the humidity. Just storeing it a building will not control the rust.

showcrop · Oct 7, 2013

I agree with putting nothing on them, and will emphasize what D beatty said. Even closed up indoors your tractor will get pretty much covered with condensation due to warm moist air following a cold front at least once a year unless you live in a very dry area.

CNKS · Oct 7, 2013

Depends on your location. I live in SW Kansas -- there is never any moisture inside my building, cold front, warm front, rain or fog. I won't speak for anything over about 100 miles east of here; humidity, rainfall increase.

RandyB(MI) · Oct 7, 2013

Another way of looking at it is that it has weathered 61 yrs of use in the field and weather and still looks as good as it does even with the junk paint and lack of primer from the factory. I'm sure nothing you expose it to in the next 20 yrs will even come close to that so just power wash it up and enjoy the originality. It's not like you are going to see a progression of age from year to year. If my '50 B had looked even presentable I would have left it unrestored.

notjustair · Oct 8, 2013

Get a rag, dip it in diesel or kerosene, and rub her down.

JRSutton · Oct 18, 2013

I agree with kerosene or diesel. It'll help keep it in its current form. Power wash first.

as for value - it's kind of hit or miss - luck of the market.

It'll absolutely be worth more to most if it's restored, but probably not so much more that it'd cover the cost of your time and materials.

yeah you could slap a quick cheap paint job over all the nastiness, and ensure a good profit selling it to a newbie, but probably not what you want to do.

Stopping rust

Anonymous-0

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RandyB(MI)

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Anonymous-0

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D beatty

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showcrop

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CNKS

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RandyB(MI)

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notjustair

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JRSutton

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