I'll bet in the '50's, IH didn't do too much prep work except steam clean, tape off the mag and a few other items, remove the wheels and paint everything red. I'm sure you can do the same thing. I've restored 3 tractors, a Farmall M, an H, and a Massey Harris 101 Senior. On all 3, I completely disassembled, (I left the engine in the M & H.) I sandblasted everything, (miserable job), and you have to do some taping to be careful of not getting sand getting into places you don't want. Wire brushing the sheetmetal if you don't sandblast the sheetmetal. If you don't sandblast, it's tough getting into the nooks and crannys unless you don't care. One you have it prepped, you paint it. Since it's a working tractor, you may just paint it with regular enamel, and let it fade after a couple of years, but if you spend lots of time prepping, you may want to do it right and get urathane paint. It'll cost quite abit more, but you'll be alot more pleased with the results. If this sounds like alot of work, it is. You can pay your local body shop to paint it too, but once you get an estimate you may rethink....I hope this gives you an idea what's involved. I almost forgot. Since you have it apart, it's a good time to change all the leakey gaskets and seals, tune it up, and if anything wrong with engine, fix it before painting. dktheisen@earthlink.net if you have any questions
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