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Well, if you must brush - First get a high quality brush like a Purdy natural bristle brush (for oil based paints). You can get them most anywhere (Home Depot, for one). Don't use an el-cheapo brush! Get at least a 2" wide or 2-1/2" wide brush. Clean it good with paint thinner and test it to get rid of loose bristles, if any. Next get a can of Penetrol ("quality paint conditioner". This will help level the paint out. Mix the reccommended amount of the Penetrol into the paint using a mixer on an electric drill. Add in a small amount of quality paint thinner. Maybe like 1/2 cup per quart of paint. Find a test piece of metal to practice on. Apply a good even coat and let it dry overnight in a dust free area. Seal up the can of paint when done. If you like the results on the test piece. then proceed to the tractor metal. First though, sand it thoroughly with a block sander and then by hand. Use 2 or 3 grits and quit with 600 grit wet/dry paper. If you have rust spots, then you can touch those up with a dab of paint before final painting. After those are dry, resand around them using a block sander. When ready for final painting, lightly soak a rag in lacquer thinner and wipe it all down. The rag just needs to be damp is all. Before painting, lightly wet the surface with a rag damp with paint thinner. Paint, using straight even strokes. One coat should hold it for a few years. If you had it all sanded and ready and had the paint, a paint shop probably would blow on the paint for little charge. I would investigate that avenue before using a brush.
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