Best Paint for a Vintage Loader???

OK, got my 1960 era front end loader home and am going to restore it entirely. I will have a bunch of questions, so here is my first. I have painted my Ford 2N and 850 tractors with PPG Omni Acrylic Enamel, after first sandblasting all cast metal parts, using Omni etch primer, then Omni Sealer. All sprayed with correct reducer & catalyst. Results have been terrific for a novice, indicating this is an idiot proof paint process. However, each tractor costs me about $600.00 just in Omni products, excluding sandblasting, stripping, gloves, respirators, etc. etc. I did paint my 1925 Fordson with Tractor Supply primer and paint with their reducer & catalyst, but I have yet to hear anyone ever say anything nice about this paint. I want to paint the Loader with quality paint after sandblasting, but I also do now want to pay $600.00 for paint for a loader. Can anyone suggest an alternative, with paint cost closer to $300 to $400, but with resistance to fading and as durable as possible? Thanks all, I am getting better at painting but still have a lot to learn about all the available products. Larry. (Cant wait to start learning about hydraulics.)
 
Sherwin Williams makes a paint called Sher Kem enamel for about 100.00 a gallon. It's formulated for hard use such as construction equipment, implements and dumpsters.
 
I ve been using Sherwin Williams AIC single stage acrylic enamel over Upol raptor epoxy primer. Can t speak to the fade resistance yet, but the combo is pretty tough when I have had to sand it off. The yellow coverage sucks, but black and white has been pretty good.
 

Look into Kirker or Summit epoxy and single stage. You didn't specify a color I think, so if straight black is OK then this system would be great for you. Black epoxy covered in black gloss.
 
I was able to spend some time with the Sherwin Williams Rep for my State. He feels the best available from S-W is to use "Dura-Plate 235 Multi Purpose Epoxy" over the bare metal, and final coat with "Acrolon 218HS Acrylic Polyurethane". Color I want is Red. The Dura Plate 235 is being used as a primer and cost $65.00 for the 1.25 gallon kit, it is a two part primer. The reducer is another $22. This is used for corrosive environments, good for immersion in salt water, and good range of temps for application. The Acrolon 218 is also a 2 part polyurethane $95.00 for 1 gallon kit consisting of paint and catalyst, with a reducer needed. A short pot life, but I can live with that. Anyone interested should take a look at the on line data sheets for these two coatings. They seem to be exactly what I want, in terms of hardness durability, and particularly in terms of the price. I can paint the loader for about $200.00 excluding sandblasting, whereas when I paint my Tractors with Omni Acrylic Enamel, it costs me about $600. The Omni has been great, fantastic color selection, and an idiot proof paint, but for the loader, I need to economize somewhat. Thanks all for your input. Much appreciated. Larry P.S. The S-W sales rep tells me that the Sher Kem paint is about equivalent to what is available at Tractor Supply. There is no catalyst, and as such, it will never be as durable and hard as a catalized paint. (thats what he says anyway).
 

Larry, When I have had some large parts sandblasted there have been small areas that are black instead of gray when I have gotten them back. I believe that this black is rust, so I have given the parts the phosphoric acid treatment. Most people, and it seems, any shop, that works with old vehicles use an acid treatment to "kill" this residual rust which hides down in the pits. I have used it for 14 years since the paint guy where I buy my paint told me that I needed to even though the instructions on what I use say that it is not needed following sandblasting. I always rinse aggressively after the acid treatment either by immersion or pressure washing.There have been assertions on this forum that the adhesion of primer coats can be compromised by the use of acid treatments. Since you have an "in with the SW rep, could you ask him about the use, following mfgs. instructions, of acid "rust killers" under his 235? The particular one that I use is 'Rust Mort by SEM, which is a professional use as opposed to retail product. Thanks.
 
Showcrop. I will call him or email him with your question tomorrow (Thursday). Very good question. I have only had occasion to use a phosphoric acid treatment on two tractor parts after sandblasting. I always treat the inside of my used wheel rims, then I paint with the Omni Acrylic Enamel, then a final coat of rubberized undercoating. I also just treated the rear fender supports for 801 fenders, then I used an etch primer, sealer, and then paint. The etch primer seemed to lay down just the same as non treated areas. I am generally happy with the sandblasting I get and have not had a problem with "black" areas, but this may occur on the loader?! As I will be switching both paint type and producers just for this loader, I cant say I know much about the S-W paints. As I said, I will contact him shortly and get back to you on this forum. Regards, Larry. P.S. I have asked my NAPA guy about Rust Mort in the past, and he said that he did not have good experiences with paint over this product, and that it was always, always, always best to do what is necessary to get rid of the rust. I know, Ugh, so much work!!!
 
Showcrop, I received an email reply back from the S-W Professional Coatings Rep. He states quite clearly that it is just fine to shoot the DuraPlate over any area that has been treated with a rust conversion product. No problems with adhesion. I asked him specifically about Rust Mort and other phosphoric acid treatments. He says they use the DuraPlate in paper mills over equipment that rusts and is treated with Ospho & Corroseal, and they they have been doing so for years with no problem. So, the answer is a firm yes, it is OK to use over Rust Mort. I won't be painting my loader for at least a month, but when I do, I will post results.
Best Regards
Larry
 
(quoted from post at 18:04:30 09/05/19) Showcrop, I received an email reply back from the S-W Professional Coatings Rep. He states quite clearly that it is just fine to shoot the DuraPlate over any area that has been treated with a rust conversion product. No problems with adhesion. I asked him specifically about Rust Mort and other phosphoric acid treatments. He says they use the DuraPlate in paper mills over equipment that rusts and is treated with Ospho & Corroseal, and they they have been doing so for years with no problem. So, the answer is a firm yes, it is OK to use over Rust Mort. I won't be painting my loader for at least a month, but when I do, I will post results.
Best Regards
Larry

Larry thanks for looking into that for me. That has been a point of contention here at YT Paint and bodywork.
 
(quoted from post at 05:32:54 09/06/19)
(quoted from post at 18:04:30 09/05/19) Showcrop, I received an email reply back from the S-W Professional Coatings Rep. He states quite clearly that it is just fine to shoot the DuraPlate over any area that has been treated with a rust conversion product. No problems with adhesion. I asked him specifically about Rust Mort and other phosphoric acid treatments. He says they use the DuraPlate in paper mills over equipment that rusts and is treated with Ospho & Corroseal, and they they have been doing so for years with no problem. So, the answer is a firm yes, it is OK to use over Rust Mort. I won't be painting my loader for at least a month, but when I do, I will post results.
Best Regards
Larry

Larry thanks for looking into that for me. That has been a point of contention here at YT Paint and bodywork.

That's because certain brands of primers explicitly say not to use them over such products. This is one primer that does not make this claim.
 

Also, this does not do anything to indicate what process they are using for "success" or what levels they are going to to neutralize/remove the product before priming, etc.
 

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