Questions for INDYDIRTFARMER

Hope you can give me some tips. What a great paint job. Wayne from Corydon, Indiana

I'm about a rank amature at painting, so my answers might SOUND amaturish.

The tractor I painted (the 2440) wasn't in that bad of shape. It was faded after 28 years, but wasn't rusted. It needed just a little "prep work". I bought my paint at "Louisville Auto Paint" They have a store on Eastern Blvd. In Clarksville. I went with a PPG primer that they recomended. I wire wheeled the entire "chassis" and wet sanded all the sheet metal. Then I primed everything. (Tractor was in a partial state of dismantle) I gave the primer about 48 hours to dry. (In 80*+ heated shop) Then I lightly sanded again. (Wheels were sandblasted to bare metal, prepped and primed also)

The paint was applied with a Sharpe HVLP GF gun. I was VERY carefull to mix according to directions, instead of my usual "EYEBALL" method. I sprayed with 60 psi. There was no need to wet sand, buff, or polish. What you see is straight out of the gun, with 4 days dry time. (In the heated shop...Temps were at 75 while spraying, and kept as high as possible [maybe 85*] after)

The paint I used is PPG/Ditzler "Del-Fleet". It was mixed for someone else, who then failed to pick it up. I was given a "deal" to get me to use it. (I WAS going to use conventional enamal) From what I remember, the gallon of green and activator was retail about $175. I got it for under $100. The yellow was mixed fresh and cost me about $110 with activator. (It was discounted also, to give me the incentive to use the green urethane)

I used a Binks Millenium mask. My shop has good FILTERED exhaust and a fresh air intake. (That makes it rather difficult to keep the temps up when it's cold outside.) The biggest problem I see with outdoor painting is controlling dirt/dust/insects. That's not quite so serious when painting the castings, but the sheet metal will show up dirt and dust if any gets in the painted surface.

Like I said, I'm just a beginner. Some "experts" might see things different. I just did what "works" for me. I think my results speak for themselves.

Good luck! Email me at jfugit@iglou.com if you need ant help. I'lll be glad to do what I can. John

Gonna have to raise my trousers, it's gettin deep. Grin.

You can paint my tractors anyday.

Mark

My complete resume' as far as painting goes....John

On the other hand some people just do it with out even thinking.

Finally, this site has taught me plenty.

From this point on, it's PRACTICE-PRACTICE-PRACTICE!

(also, I'm lucky enough to be able to work with good equipment, in a well equipped shop. Having the right stuff to work with helps a lot) John