What to use to clean up faded tractor?

tomstractorsandtoys

Well-known Member
I just bought a 4020 that the paint is very oxidized and was wondering what you would recommend to clean it up? I understand that nothing will bring back to original but there must be something to clean it up some. There is like a dark cast to the paint. I did try a rag and some PB blaster and that helped some. I might buy a small buffer. Any ideas? Thanks Tom
 
Meguiar's Ultimate compound color and clarity restorer works pretty good and not expensive. I've only used it on red, nothing green around here. It takes some elbow grease but does the job and is not harsh like some of the body shop professional products and is clear coat safe. I did a '98 Ford pick-up last year and it did a great job. They recommend waxing after completion.
 
Comet cleanser in a bucket when U wash it.. Then depends how bad the paint is rubbing compound different grades & a Buffer . Too much buffing
you'll go threw the paint , watch the sharp edges, it will brighten it up then Wax it... Will hold for awhile.. Keep indoors helps too.
 
Rustoleum sells a color restorer that works beautifully in their TV ads. Don't know how it works in Realville.
 
Fully agree. It works well. If it has been clear coated after fading (or before) it might not do much. The green needs to be the surface that any one of the tactics works on. Jim
 
first thing, I'd go to car wash, set it on High-Hot, and blast away, for a good long time.
 
When I bought my Kubota b8200 it was faded some. I used meguiars scratch x. Worked ok. I actually used mother's mag and aluminum polish. Seemed to cut the oxidation better. Lots of rubbing. Maybe a polishing compound and buffer would work better on a big project.
 
Rubbing compounds work the best. They are abrasives that revitalize paint by removing the oxidized layer of paint. They work best on newer paint where the lower paint is still in good condition. Old worn-thin paint could be oxidized all the way through. Be careful using power tools with an abrasive as you can get to bare metal in a few seconds. I would ask what the dealers use, some auctioneers wipe down sheet metal with diesel fuel to make it look a little more glossy.
 
I'll give another vote for rubbing compound. You might be amazed just how good the paint is once you get the layer of oxidized paint and dirt off. I only work by hand with rags, no power tools. That way I can tell better just how far into the paint I'm getting. Where its really bad I'll even use fine steel wool and diesel fuel. Just look at the shine on the original paint on my old Merc after 40 years sitting in the bush. It is right down to red primer on the roof but its got a dull shine to it. Coat of wax to protect it and indoor storage it will be looking good for years.
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I don't have an answer for your paint renewal, was wondering if you seen how much the bale grinders went for? I left when Jeff was selling the Meyers spreader after the McCormick tractor on the outside row.
 

Like SS55 and Rusty6 say, rubbing compound. I keep have kept Dupont red and white on hand for forty years.
 
Here's what mine looked like 15 year old sometimes wash it once a year sometimes not .polished it with turtle wax metal polish
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