Curious about painting in cold months

[bo dawg 516]

How do some of you guys go about prepping tractor parts/pieces for painting during the cold months? Spraying water outside to clean off the dirt and grime or even after sanding is a bit too cold for that. Just curious.  

[Brockport Bill 1,661]

there are professional painters here on forum who can give you informed answer -- but for me I mostly follow the not below 55 degree temp info on cans -- however i do an occasional spray of small items in the 40 temps -- but i keep the can and the part indoors until ready to spray - then dash outside  - apply the spray while paint can and metal is warm from indoors, then immediately bring the item back indoors to dry and cure -- but mostly i avoid under 50 degrees for painting -- have to wait till spring --  Added note - - i would not paint anything below 55 like a hood or fender I was especially expecting to look very good cosmetically or for bonding durability - i am assuming the paint companies have done much testing and research to arrive at the not below 55 threshold temp?

[JoeM 7,873]

2 hours ago, bo dawg said:

How do some of you guys go about prepping tractor parts/pieces for painting during the cold months?

After sanding I use 50/50 alcohol and water as a wipe down prior to paint. Drys in minutes.

As far as painting the shop is kept warm and I set up saw horses with a make-shift area with a plastic drop cloth and a space heater inside to warm the metal parts a bit. I really avoid painting critical parts on very cold days that need a first class job. I get those ready and then cover with plastic and wait for that warm spell. 

I use very little spray bombs and I warm up the cans in front of the heater prior to paint. 

[Achto 27,565]

6 hours ago, bo dawg said:

How do some of you guys go about prepping tractor parts/pieces for painting during the cold months?

 

I like to pick out which tractor is going to get redone while it is still fairly warm out. The tractor will then get soaked down with Super Clean & then pressure washed. This gives me a clean-ish tractor to start with. If I don't get it washed when it's warm out, then there is a car wash with a hand wand near me that I can fit my truck & trailer in. I'll haul the tractor there for a wash before disassembling.

 

After that all the pieces get scrubbed down in the wash tank with mineral spirits, dried off, repaired, then sandblasted. From there it is just a matter of keeping the garage warm enough to paint plus keep it warm for at least 12hrs after painting. OH!! Then there is my wife's favorite part. The day after painting, I put all my parts in our spare bedroom for a week to cure before assembly.

 

Best part about painting in cold weather - NO BUGS !!

[953 nut 55,194]

25 minutes ago, Achto said:

Then there is my wife's favorite part. The day after painting, I put all my parts in our spare bedroom for a week to cure before assembly

That is where my wife draws the line.     Before we tied the knot she made me promise that no car or tractor parts come through the door. So far she hasn't caught me doing it yet.    

[kpinnc 12,007]

5 hours ago, 953 nut said:

That is where my wife draws the line.     Before we tied the knot she made me promise that no car or tractor parts come through the door. So far she hasn't caught me doing it yet. 

 

My wife's Tundra won't fit in our garage. Since my building has no power, she relented and didn't mind when I started using the garage as my shop.

 

As one can imagine, the number of tools and tractors didn't take long to multiply. Any time I use chemicals stronger than a baby wipe, she regrets agreeing to that previous decision.... 

 

I should say she "audibly regrets"! 

Edited November 28, 2023 by kpinnc

[ri702bill 8,316]

55 minutes ago, kpinnc said:

I should say she "audibly regrets"! 

Otherwise known as "Constructive Criticism", or a strong dose of "Wife Speak".... BT,DT.....