Clear coat over rust and patina

thinking about applying some type of flat or satin clear coat to preserve the original patina of my 1951 Ferguson TO-20
Anyone ever done this or had it done? Wondering how to prep surface. I want to preserve the patine but also know you cannot paint over surface rust.
 

Some dealers routinely spray some sort of clear coat on used equipment. It doesn't appear to last well, but I expect that it is due to very little prep.
 

Some dealers routinely spray some sort of clear coat on used equipment. It doesn't appear to last well, but I expect that it is due to very little prep.
 
Keep in mind that even though you put a clear over the rust the tractor will continue to rust under the paint. The continued rust will cause the clear to flake off so it would have to be touched up from time to time. It won't be anything like cleaning the metal and priming and painting with fresh paint.
 
Seen an auctioneer take a rag and diesel fuel to a faded baler the day before a sale.
 
Just my opinion but when they do that to an old car it looks horrible. Patina is a word that should be used for bronze statues not painted items. Needs paint is needs paint!
 
I've heard boiled linseed oil is the ticket. There is also something from ace hardware made for this exact situation but I don't recall the name
 
ahh, the rat rod look. sad part is if its a quality one, they strip the car down like a restoration, bring it up to primer, then "paint" the car to look like its rusty. i dont really get it, but lots of times, im not the sharpest tool in the shed!!
 
Have you ever smelled boiled linseed oil? I think I would try it on a small spot first. On a non-porous surface it wouldn't surprise me if it didn't stay sticky for weeks stinking worse than a skunk.
 
Over on the ferguson enthusiasts Facebook site is where I have repeatly seen this advise. Mostly from the other side of the pond but often used to keep it original. They say it does not stay tacky for long, or attract dirt. Actually even wet sand with 400 and the oil, so I've read. I also saw the ace hardware stuff mentioned and the pictures were absolutely incredible of the tractor done with it. I think it freezes the rust kinda but is for original patina, not like the rust preservers that turn black. I saw it a few months back and would take some searching to find. It would be easier I'd say to post a new question and hope another person chimed in, John.
 
Glennster , I don't get it either. They go to a lot of trouble to the point where they could just have paint instead of "patina".
 
It has taken 66 years to get to where it is now...and probably outdoors most of that time and working also. Since it will probably not be worked every day and may even spend most of it's time inside ... why do you think it will get any worse in your lifetime ? Seriously , just keep it out of the weather and leave it alone. It will stay pretty much like it is for a long time.
 
They used to go around with a hand held sprayer spraying fuel oil on the stuff at the sale in Archbold.
 

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top