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A little over a year ago @JCM Jim and I took a trip up to Port Clyde Maine where I got 4 tractors and a few parts. One of those was this '75 C160 Automatic. It was repainted and somewhat mechanically restored back around 2012 with limited usage since. The person who owned it at the time was a former Wheelhorse dealer and very much appreciated certain models. I don't know if he was the one who did the work. But... It's not exactly precisely painted. Only the visible part of anything was painted. Grease and oil were painted over. ((WTH??)) That said, the widow I got it from was very sure that only genuine Wheelhorse maroon paint was used. Maroon. It's just ... Not our favorite color... This was my snow tractor last year. It went well so I've decided to fix it up more. Well... I have a laundry list of things to do to the Automatic and had no intention of painting it right now. But... after we got it taken down to it's current state Trina and I talked it over. We've decided to take the extra couple days and repaint while the Auto is apart. The transmission will be off and split so I can add Limited Slip Differential. The hydraulic system will be disassembled. Rebuilt cylinder. Rebuilt valve and at least 2 new hoses. Engine is being swapped for another K341 I have here. MANY other things... @WHX?? Jim you'll ecstatic to know this one will be RED. A slightly brighter red than mid 70s stock color. I'll be adding a pile more pics as I go, along with the list of things to do. Tonight's "before" pic. Here's the progress after about 2 hours:

Mowing trees again today with the Cat D4

When I repaint a deck or wheels, I sand, spray on primer, brush on a base coat of paint, then spray on the finish coat.

Finally finished the re-assembly and attachment of the two stage blower. Everything seems to run as it should. I wish this tractor had power steering, that blower is darn heavy. Linear actuator for the chute deflector shipped today so I guess that's next weekend's project.

This is worth watching. A very good tutorial.

I appreciate the vote of confidence but if you gave me a 12-in square jigsaw puzzle that only had four pieces it probably would take me a half an hour

November, 2021. Rebuilt carb and changed the seat & mounts to be more Bear friendly.

Pictures from the day Jim and I went to pick up this tractor.

Eehhh... Gonna use Colossus while this one's down...?

Got the C-161 back together, new ammeter, new mounts work greatI Started to put the snow cab on.

10HP with 42” blade, C-85 w/cab & 42” Snow Blower, 315-8 w/Ark Loader. Ready for some snow ❄️. Last year had up to 14” in Ohio. Snow cab windows were fogged up bad and I used MeGuires PlastX, this stuff was easy, apply like wax, rubbing it in and wipe off, amazing how it cleared that plastic window up.

Or, find another solution:

No waiting on this one brother man. Trina and I are aiming to have it drivable by year end.

We did some more disassembly and cleaning this evening. Trina started considering the path for painting the hood. The top is orange peeled pretty badly. We're thinking about sanding off a bit then add filler primer to help smooth it out. Not looking for show quality. I removed the gas tank, battery and its tray, safety switch and bracket, oil filter. Also picked up the front of the machine so the transmission would finish draining. Here's a good example of how NOT to have a tractor prepped for painting.

Years ago there was an article in Rod & Custom about painting a car with Rustoleum using a roller. They put many thinned coats on with sanding between coats. Cut and polished it for final finish.

This 1054 hood and front cowling was done with a brush! The key to doing a smooth job is to mix up your canned paint with some Flood Penetrol ( get in hardware, Lowes or Home Depot) that helps smooth your paint on metal surfaces. I used a quart can of regal red Rustoleum. Other parts were spray painted with Rustoleum regal red. Flood Penetrol https://www.homedepot.com/p/reviews/Flood-Penetrol-1-Qt-Clear-Paint-Additive-FLD4-04/100130893/2?mtc=SEM-CM-CML-GGL-D59S-059_037_SFT_WN_CVR-NA-NA-NA-DSA-2998253-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NEW-NA&cm_mmc=SEM-CM-CML-GGL-D59S-059_037_SFT_WN_CVR-NA-NA-NA-DSA-2998253-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NEW-NA-71700000099318007-58700007989738948-39700072693012461&gbraid=0AAAAADq61UfbGGc0FCqgou7H4uJqQ1VQ0&gbraid=0AAAAADq61UfbGGc0FCqgou7H4uJqQ1VQ0&gclid=Cj0KCQiA1ZGcBhCoARIsAGQ0kkqYbfYRE-AzPOudJXwcT7cZkGt50kHr9l7oDUG5f1MSCSiwbcrZPBsaAtW1EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Here we go again... trail cam at @ebinmaine's place... just outside the new barn... unique neighborhood... Oh, and my girls are ready for winter as well:

I brushed the transaxle and frame of my latest refurb because: a) I wanted to "brush in" the paint for solid adhesion and coverage, b) I didn't want to contend with aerosol overspray trying to get full coverage on these complex pieces, and c) didn't need a "slick" finish on these mostly hidden parts. The paint (Rustoleum Regal Red) flattened out just fine on the smooth-ish surfaces. I used chip brushes to avoid having to clean them. I always "groom" the brushes before starting by pulling loose bristles and trimming off strays.

I was gonna say I'd break out a hammer but Snoopy Don beat me to it... A hammer, a grinder, a flat file, and a stick welder. Everything else is too advanced for me!

Have you ever seen the mental test where they ask you to put the square peg in the square hole and the round peg in the round hole? I'm one of those thoughtful plantains who will put the square peg in a round hole... and if it didn't fit quite right, I would get a hammer and beat it in, then JB weld the gaps. Moral of the story: I'm one to talk... Don

I’m gonna follow along on this journey! Can’t wait to see the finished product. This tractor is a great starting point for a refurbish/restore project.

Day late posting

Send me your address and I'll send it to ya!

Looks like Al you minimum to me! 1 part cleaner to 3 parts water with the heat on 10 -15 minutes

I have used brushes and rollers a lot when painting my classic wooden boats. Thinned paint in thin coats works best to get the paint to level out, but thick paint on some cast parts also can look very good. Castings are more forgiving than boat decks.

Yes Works Quick and easy... Keeps rust at bay... Won't win any beauty contests but then again, neither will I...

Just a silly thought, Eric. Painting Colossus parts?

She certainly had a big pair ...of front tires there Eb. Maroon... I'm constantly amazed at just how much people get completely wrong about these old tractors. Statistically speaking, folks should be able to guess right more than they do. As has been said already- looks like a good solid machine. Now if you can put it back together...

Had the 418-C in today for some TLC and an oil change. Mowed with it this summer and may use it to haul firewood this winter.

I realize you’re focusing on parts that needn’t be smooth, but there is a painting method called “roll and tip” that lays down quite smooth. Popular with boat guys. Lots of Google hits if you search. A coworker rolled and tipped his two Model T Fords and you’d never know they weren’t sprayed. FWIW. Steve

Glad to see your color blindness is in remission... Knowing EB You might be waiting awhile Jack... How is 160s fall from the sky ther yet rare around here!?! ?

A well-matched partner in life is a treasure. My best friend married one when he was 80 so I've accepted that it is never too late to someone open to an opportunity.

I did not however there are some horse thief’s here in CT…🤷

I’m a Harley guy. My wife and I love our rubber mounted Roadglide. Anyway I started my restored C161 tonight prior to removing the battery for winter. Dang if that thing ain’t as cool as a Harley! IMG_4038.MOV

OK< Thanks. Think will go with the rebuild kit. Am guessing it is a bearing.

Hot pink?? No no no no. So you got to adjust the color on your TV monitor. Ain't no hot pink anywhere in my house land acreage properties or possessions..

If I can put that old dinosaur 718-Z back together... then a bear can put the c160 anything back together... Don

Is that similar to loomeeyummyumm ?

Maybe this blanket would give more comfort:

December, 2021. Fixed the fuel cap where the previous owner had left it completely without a gasket. Added fluid filled rear tires, 2 link Vbar chains, steel weights inside and out. Month and a half or so after I picked it up here. Seems to have assimilated into the herd fairly well.

I've done that a couple times. It actually comes out pretty good. Thinning the paint a bit seems to help.

I'd brush paint. Rolling is fine for flat surfaces. I painted my off road competition Land Rovers with rollers. Finish wasn't important.

This is my favorite carb cleaner. It removes every thing, paint, gaskets, junk, all gone. Spray it on, let it soak about 15 to 20 min, scrub it up a little, spray with brake cleaner, blow it off. Usually no more than 2 application's needed.

😂 Them's the 20 x 8 x 8 fluid filled tires I use for snow. BBT and I have seen at least 3 or 4 go through our shop. Perhaps it's a personal preference? Perhaps that's all they had available at the local dealer? I dunno.... This one will no longer be encumbered by it.

There a Standard Parts piece. Any dealer of many brands. We have plenty of them. You PM me your mailing address and we'll send you one.

She's got great bones, should be fairly easy to clean her up. By the looks of her front wheels I think she might have the mumps though... Looking forward to your progress on her.