Easy clean-up if there is such a thing

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   Is there a preferred/easiest method of cleaning up an old tractor for paint?  Not a full restoration and only the radiator shroud, hood and tank off the tractor.
I would love to redo the whole tractor but don't have the time or money.  Once I get it back together it will be used a lot I hope so I wouldn't want it to be in original condition anyway.

It looks to have a couple of poorly prepared re-paints..  Lots of old paint flaking off in small to large pieces.  I just want it to look halfway decent and protect it from further damage.

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rrambo Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Silver Level Joined: 30 Apr 2012 Location: GA Points: 56	Post Options Post Reply Quote rrambo Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Easy clean-up if there is such a thing Posted: 10 Jun 2012 at 8:58am
	Is there a preferred/easiest method of cleaning up an old tractor for paint? Not a full restoration and only the radiator shroud, hood and tank off the tractor. I would love to redo the whole tractor but don't have the time or money. Once I get it back together it will be used a lot I hope so I wouldn't want it to be in original condition anyway. It looks to have a couple of poorly prepared re-paints.. Lots of old paint flaking off in small to large pieces. I just want it to look halfway decent and protect it from further damage.

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Jordan(OH) Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 11 Sep 2009 Location: Celina, OH Points: 1563	Post Options Post Reply Quote Jordan(OH) Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 10 Jun 2012 at 9:48am
	IMO only repainting the shroud, hood, and tank will look worse than the way it is.

rrambo Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Silver Level Joined: 30 Apr 2012 Location: GA Points: 56	Post Options Post Reply Quote rrambo Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 10 Jun 2012 at 9:53am
	no.. I'm just saying those are the only pieces that I'm taking off to paint.. the rest will be painted as it sits... I was thinking pressure wash then go over it with a scotch wheel on my angle grinder... just wondering what some of you do if you're not doing a full-blown resto...

TedBuiskerN.IL. Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 11 Sep 2009 Location: Davis, IL. Points: 1959	Post Options Post Reply Quote TedBuiskerN.IL. Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 10 Jun 2012 at 10:25am
	I call what you want to do a "Preservation restoration". I soften up the old grease and dirt with a solvent of some kind, old diesel fuel works good, then pressure wash. I replace badly leaking seals, prime and paint. Don't look like new, but still parade worthy. I go over the flaking areas with a wire brush on a disc grinder to remove the loose stuff, and wipe the sheet metal down with paint thinner before painting. Crude, but works for what I want. A tractor that you are afraid to use is a waste IMO. Edited by TedBuiskerN.IL. - 10 Jun 2012 at 10:28am
	Most problems can be solved with the proper application of high explosives.

fwo Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Silver Level Joined: 14 Sep 2009 Location: Ohio Points: 93	Post Options Post Reply Quote fwo Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 10 Jun 2012 at 10:37am
	I would go through several cycles of spraying degreaser and pressure washing. I would scrape some of the worst spots with a screwdriver. Then I would rattle can spray it with Rusty Metal Primer. Less than a minute later I would hit it with whatever orange I could find at Tractor Supply. I always keep paint thinner and shop cloths handy and immediately wipe off the overspray. It would look fine and you would have most of it done two hours from now. Smile.
	Kindest regards, F. W. Owen, Homerville, Ohio http://www.HomerProduceAuction.com Owenlea Holsteins

Dakota Dave Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Location: ND Points: 3971	Post Options Post Reply Quote Dakota Dave Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 10 Jun 2012 at 12:11pm
	I spray them down with dollars store spray oven cleaner. DO NOT GET IT ON YOUSELF. then pressure wash. Take a Putty knife to any nooks that didn't come clean and pressure wash again. Wipe down with acetone and paint. The removed sheet metal parts can be done the same hammer the big dents out weld up the holes and paint it. I did mine in two days and it still looks good. You do want to take the fenders off though. they trap moisture and crud at the frame and cause rust. If you don't take them off and paint the rust will be back in a week or two. Edited by Dakota Dave - 10 Jun 2012 at 3:31pm

rrambo Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Silver Level Joined: 30 Apr 2012 Location: GA Points: 56	Post Options Post Reply Quote rrambo Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 10 Jun 2012 at 12:21pm
	really good advice fellows.. I appreciate it.

bitburn Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Bronze Level Joined: 07 Jun 2012 Location: Indiana Points: 36	Post Options Post Reply Quote bitburn Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 10 Jun 2012 at 6:46pm
	I am in the same situation. The multiple layers of paint are flaking bad. In order to prevent the lead paint flakes from contaminating my property I am planning on brushing on uv resistant polyurethane clear coat on the wheels and frame and other parts. Intending to seal in the flaking paint. I just pulled the hood and grill shroud off today to start stripping the paint in a more safe manner off site. Then I am planning on a spray can job. I figure I need something orange to get me moving. The only downside, its probably going to take a lot more work to strip the paint later on. Someday later I'll do a proper spray gun job on the whole tractor.