Restoring old paint??

J.Wondergem · Sep 10, 2011

I have a tractor that has original paint that I would like to bring back to look good. What way would you guys do that? Here's a picture of the tractor.

Stephen Newell · Sep 10, 2011

Are you saying you wish to keep as much of the original paint as possible?. Most people repaint. The green looks like it could be cleaned up and clear coated to keep it from deteriorate any further. The white on the cab and wheels should be repainted. They are rusting.

RandyB(MI) · Sep 10, 2011

Anything you spray on to restore it will not only look "tacky" but will flake off eventually. Leave as is and keep inside or do a complete on it. ain't much in between worth talking about. Take a look at the tractor when all wet from sitting in the rain...is that the look you really want?? because that is what it will look like spraying clear over it. Shiny rust doesn't look any better.

showcrop · Sep 11, 2011

It looks like Dupont white polishing compound would shine it up.

CNKS · Sep 11, 2011

You can polish/wax it if you want, but there is likely a lot of rust on the green that does not show in the picture. Clear won't help any as B mainac says. Otherwise either leave it alone or do a complete paint job.

Ultradog MN · Sep 11, 2011

I sold a tractor a couple of years ago that had nice original paint but was a bit faded. I just used some rubbing coumpound and then waxed it with car wax. Rubbed it out by hand. A couple hours of work but it sure improved the looks when I was done. Probably helped preserve the paint for the new owner too.
I mean just the tin not the cast iron.

J.Wondergem · Sep 12, 2011

Maybe that's what I'll try. It was also suggested to use Mothers in three different cans. Would all that work be wirth it, or just go with white polishing compound?

charles todd · Sep 16, 2011

That is a fine V-8 Cat diesel tractor. If it were me, I'd either leave it alone or strip it down and give it a well deserved new paint job. I have always liked the V-8 tractors, even though a big 6 is probably more efficient.

CT

Wilks54 · Sep 16, 2011

I just used a 3M product called "Finesse It.". It was a two part system - rubbing compound and glazer. It worked really well on some old sheet metal on my 400. I was VERY impressed. Finished it off with some Turtle Wax. Did it all by hand. I think I picked up the stuff at a marine/boat supply store. It's worth the money, IMO.

johndeerefan · Sep 22, 2011

I use 3M buffing compounds on older paint that I just want to brighten up a bit. I use the coarse grit first, medium, then the fine grit or glaze. It will really brighten it up, but don't expect a miracle job. It only does as good as the paint that is on it. Be careful if you are using a buffer not to burn through the paint.

All autobody paint stores have the 3M compound products. They are top notch. The fine grit and glaze work great for wet sanding new acrylic paint, then buffing to a mirror finish.

Personally, since the cab and wheels are starting to surface rust, I would sand it down and give it a refreshed paint job. You can't buff out rust!

Anonymous-0 · Sep 23, 2011

used to buy cars that looked worse than that and shine/resale.....

Used a product in a yellow bottle called "scratch out" then followed with turtle wax or johnson's paste wax (whatever I had at the time). Stuff always looked new afterwards.

Restoring old paint??

J.Wondergem

Well-known Member

Stephen Newell

Well-known Member

RandyB(MI)

Well-known Member

showcrop

Well-known Member

CNKS

Well-known Member

Ultradog MN

Well-known Member

J.Wondergem

Well-known Member

charles todd

Well-known Member

Wilks54

Member

johndeerefan

Member

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

Similar threads