I took a chance and sandblasted mine with silica sand, but was VERY careful to mask off EVERY little spot I thought sand could get in. I would certainly agree that it tough to keep it out and you always run the risk of getting it in where you don't want it, but my tractor was SO rusty on the body that I thought it was going to be nearly impossibly to get it in painting condition. I guess I'd have to say I was very pleased with the results. With a blasted finish, I used bare a metal epoxy primer.
Autobody Master # 8411 Epoxy Primer
" " # 8121 CatalystPaint Omni AU MBC
#mbc 32830 A, Nissan Gray
MR 187 Slow reducer
This stuff really needs good ventilation, it STRONG. Clear Omni SV MC261 Urethane, 4 to 1 mix Omne SV MH 264 overall hardener I doesn't say so on the can, but the clear mix can be thinned up to 20%. I found it layed out much better thinned a little and wasn't so orange peely. I used an inexpensive farm store gravity fed gun. It would have been nice to have a separate primer gun. I think they recommend different size tips for primer and paint but I used the same gun. I really like the gravity fed part. You use lower pressure at the gun and that puts the paint on the part where you need it instead of blowing away in the air.
The reducer you use depends on the temp and humidity that day. I thought the Nissan color (thats what showed as a match on the parts store computer) is right on for shade of gray. When they painted them originally, I would imagine they faded a month after they came from the factory so who knows what a new one looked like. You can bet they used the cheapest paint they could find. The Onmi brand is an inexpensive (compared to Pittsburgh) base coat-clear coat, but I know one thing, that stuff is tough. I takes a lot to scuff it up and unless you go clear through to the paint you can wet sand it and clear it again.
I didn't skimp on it either. I figure if you're going to paint it, you might as well get some on. As for the sheet metal, I can't over emphasize the the importance of getting it flat and smooth. And I mean REALLY flat and smooth. Because when you put that clear on, its just like a mirror and every blemish will show up. Just take your time and do it right. Sorry for the long post, but I hope this helps.
P>S> If you want to see it, its in the tractor photos; Ferguson to-20 Irv Slagter
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