spray cans/brush

I use it almost daily, so a big project is out of the question. Just want to have something that is a little more presentable. My plan is to tackle it a section at a time (wheels, hood, fenders, etc)until I'm finished.
Was thinking to use rustoleum rusty metal primer in either spray bomb or brush it on, then paint with original colors from a spray can and/or brush it on. Has anyone done a job like this and had decent results? Any tips?

Thanks,

Dave

Thanks,

Dave

Your plan seems reasonable to me. The Rustoleum Rusty Metal Primer should only be used on seriously rusted metal. That is to say; not on light rust, not on clean metal and not over remnants of previous paint. Plus, if you use it, be sure to topcoat it only with a Rustoleum product. Here's what Rustoleum has to say about it, from their website Q&A:

Can I use Rusty Metal Primer and Clean Metal Primer on my car? Stops Rust Auto Primer is formulated for use with automotive touch up paints. Rusty Metal and Clean Metal Primers should only be used if top coated with Rust-Oleum paint.

Can I use Rusty Metal Primer on clean metal? No. The fish oil that is in the primer needs to penetrate into rust to seal out air and moisture. If there is no rust, the oil will rise to the surface making adhesion of the finish coat difficult.

I generally use automotive paints, spraygun applied. If I didn't, my preference would be a brush application of a slow dry enamel instead of rattle cans because I think that provides a thicker, more protective paint film. It also is less expensive and you don't have overspray getting where you don't want it. But that's just me. Others will have a different opinion. Whatever you use, select your topcoat first and follow the recommendations on that can label for any specific additional materials such as correct primer and thinner.

I fully appreciate your situation in trying to paint a tractor that is in regular use. That's my problem also. I only paint outside so I can't do much in the winter months and I don't wish to take the tractor out of service in the summertime for the lengthy period it would take to do it the way I would like. I've now got most of the sheet metal done (on a low priority, piecemeal basis) but likely will never get to the main chassis unless I drastically change my methods and materials. Of course, painting the castings only serves a cosmetic purpose anyway. They'll easily last another 60 years with no paint at all. You can see my always outside and always unfinished AC-B here.

Rod

This is a decent thick coating for a working tractor. I'm not sure that it would be a parade or show job.. unless you got lucky and the stars lined up just right..

Rattle can primer is better than no primer! I've painted over both rattle can and spray gun primer with good results.

Most of the finsh quality results are in the body work prep.. not the paint materials.. though paint application does effect finish outcome for sure.

If you want a decent looking machine.. you do realize you can get a touch up or cheap syphon gun ( or gravity feed ) and a small air compressor and do some pretty decent work.

Before i got a more manly compressor.. i painted quite a few tractors with a 89$ chinese pancake compressor ( 2hp/4g ), and used an old 15$ attached 15g campbell hausfeld air tank for extra air capacity. I used a 14$ marked down to 9$ chinese syphon gun.. that looks like a binks knockoff at 20'. I also used a 20$ air regualtor/water trat.. also chinese. Could have used a 9$ cH air reg, I also like to thro in a 4$ disposable air filter right at the gun.. car quest sells them... that 4$ fitler and 9$ reg would do an adequate hobby job vs the 20$ setup.. if money is an issue.

That rig and some cans of paint, primer, and appropritae thinners and reducers.. etc.. can make a decent tractor finish, given time..

Here's a hint.. get an old piece of scrap to practice painting on.. car hood..e tc.. Paint alot.. learn on it. Paint witht he paints you will be using.. many paints have different spray characteristics.. and you want to be sure you know your gun pattern, and how to adjust it ( air also ) when you go to spray the real deal.

Tales lots of money in rattle cans to paint a tractor. i'll bet your first rattle can job on an average size tractor will pay for the cheap chinese paint equipment i just mentioned..

Soundguy