Painting tractor

Green 52 · Mar 19, 2019

There are two camps that have differing opinion on painting an antique tractor. One camp is you paint it. The other camp says you leave it like it is. If I decide not to paint my tractor what steps can I take to stop the rusting and preserve the metal? Right now the rust is in patches and does not cover the entire machine.
Thanks

300jk · Mar 19, 2019

A buddy had a 66 Chevy pickup that had worn paint and surface blemishes. It was supposed to look that way. I believe some type of clear coat was applied. I'm not sure of the steps, and how rust might effect it. His truck was original paint and he didn't want a repaint. Just preserve what was left. Check over on the paint forum. Lots of knowledgeable guys there !

4wdtom · Mar 19, 2019

I'll go with no paint until the old paint is letting rust get to the machine. Then it is time for paint. There are some coverings you can put over rust that will preserve the rust and stop it from progressing and protect the metal. I don't know any name brands though.

Geo-TH,In · Mar 19, 2019

To stop rust paint it.

showcrop · Mar 19, 2019

There are more like 42 camps, LOL. If you are in the no paint but preserve, there are a few ways to do it. One is to clean it up good and clear coat it. This will protect the rust and insure that it will be able to keep working away at the metal under the paint. Another is to wipe it down periodically with diesel. This will stop the rust but will require frequent cleaning because it will attract and hold dust. What I have done is apply rust converter. If you use one that is watery thin it will not only convert the exposed rust and stop it, it will also penetrate the rust under the paint and kill it. prep is still needed and success will never be complete but it can be very rewarding, because the rust turns from reddish brown to black so it is much less noticeable.

Crazy Horse · Mar 19, 2019

When you say rust, there is rust on surfaces but the metal is not really being eaten away nor is it likely to ever get to that extreme. Then there is rust in pockets and moisture traps like between the fender skins and fender frames where things are really going south. One thing for sure, if you leave it as is, it will stay original and that can never happen once you paint it. Myself, I like a nice original, but fixing up something to look like new can be a lot of fun and a challenge.

grayrider · Mar 19, 2019

I like them in their work clothes but also like a little lipstick put on them too, here?s an old 2N of mine in its old paint and second picture after I had a notion to gussy up the old gal and make her purty. I painted entire tractor with a paint brush.

grayrider · Mar 19, 2019

You would have to look real hard to see any brush strokes...

You can see brush strokes but you?d have to really be looking for them...

flying belgian · Mar 19, 2019

what steps can I take to stop the rusting and preserve the metal?"
Park it in a shed.

Philip d · Mar 19, 2019

I say it?s your tractor and it?s up to you what you?d like to do with it. It only needs to please you and no one else and unless someone else is paying for it than their opinion is irrelevant. As far preserving it like others have said keep it indoors.

showcrop · Mar 19, 2019

(quoted from post at 16:13:15 03/19/19) what steps can I take to stop the rusting and preserve the metal?"
Park it in a shed.

Belgian that depends what part of the country you are in I guess. Around here even indoors unless it is climate controlled, any vehicle or equipment gets a good coating of moisture pretty much all over it 2-3 times a year from condensation. It has been getting worse in recent years due to the wacky weather we are having.

showcrop · Mar 19, 2019

(quoted from post at 15:57:50 03/19/19) When you say rust, there is rust on surfaces but the metal is not really being eaten away nor is it likely to ever get to that extreme. Then there is rust in pockets and moisture traps like between the fender skins and fender frames where things are really going south. One thing for sure, if you leave it as is, it will stay original and that can never happen once you paint it. Myself, I like a nice original, but fixing up something to look like new can be a lot of fun and a challenge.

Crazy horse, when I repainted my '57 960 20 years ago I took it down to bare metal. There was rust under the paint pretty much everywhere. Four years ago I took a '67 car down to bare metal. Over the prior ten years it had developed lots of tiny bubbles in the paint. There was rust under all of these little bubbles. Just because you can't see it doesn't mean it is not there, and if it is there you know that it is eating your metal 24-7.

Stephen Newell · Mar 19, 2019

If you are not going to paint the tractor keep in inside in wet weather.

What you need to understand is rust spots are like an ice burg, you only see the top of it. You don't see all the rust which is spreading out under the paint.

SVcummins · Mar 19, 2019

Unless it?s super super rare and In super great original condition I don?t see any real reason not to paint it if you want to a little paint sure makes something look nice

2510Paul · Mar 19, 2019

Your choice, if you paint ask the experts on here for their advice.

If you choose not to paint and want preserve what you have you have got to keep moisture away from it. That in my definition not a shed with a dirt floor. Moisture will come up and condense on your tractor, especially the bottom/lower areas and rust will progress. A moisture tight building and a dehumidifier has been my choice.

Paul

rusty6 · Mar 19, 2019

My choice for my stuff is to keep as much original paint as possible. Assuming there is no rust through. Clean up with steel wool and Turtle rubbing compound. Then spray with some clear varnish. I can't believe how good my old Merc looks after sitting out in the woods for 40 years. It took a lot of time and work but I'm happy with the result and don't think it will rust any more in my lifetime.

Ray · Mar 20, 2019

Just clean it up and spray it with clear. Tsc farm stores sell it by the quart, no mixing just spray.

Mike M · Mar 20, 2019

Try a small roller next time it will look even better.

Mike M · Mar 20, 2019

Well the car guys used to all want perfect paint. Now they go extra steps to make them look like yours and call them rat rods. LOL.

rusty6 · Mar 20, 2019

(quoted from post at 06:01:12 03/20/19) Well the car guys used to all want perfect paint. Now they go extra steps to make them look like yours and call them rat rods. LOL.

That look is called "patina" now and is very popular. It gets a little ridiculous though when somebody takes a nicely painted vehicle and applies "fake patina" to achieve the look. Keep it real.

DPittman · Mar 20, 2019

Two thoughts, I was thinking about fixing what's left of the cab corners and doors on my 99 Dodge tractor hauling truck and then it dawned on me, That's patina! makes it more beautiful and valuable! 2nd ,originally, our old tractors had paint on them. That's for if you're wanting to keep it original. I'm done.

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