I think we'll call this one Dads new Horse

[Hodge71 664]

My girlfriend calls it installation art...I call it Wheel Horse progress...Todays accomplishments...Red this week...maybe Tuesday weather permitting

 

 

[Geno 1,929]

Holy crap, I'll second that.   

[Wishin4a416 2,191]

I like it! A wheelhorse partstree. I need some seeds.

[Hodge71 664]

Well the fruit on the parts tree finally ripened ...Red fruit this time just waiting to be picked. Tomorrow is Dads birthday so its going to be right down to the wire. I actually dont think its going to be ready. Tuesday looks like a better day for delivery. The pics make it look much better than the tins really do. I bought all the stuff to paint this thing it was 80 out still. They gave me medium reducer which is good for 70 degrees according to the can. Today I painted it was 51..that coupled with my inexperience has led to some pretty serious runs. I see why fast reducer is better for colder weather. Heres where Im at now...Its a shame the runs are going to ruin an otherwise pristine restoration. Maybe I should have done this one with spray bombs like I used to do. I wish I knew how to get  these runs to go away...

[Desko 610]

Use some fine grit sand paper and sand em up and see how it turns out but I am no master painter.

[Geno 1,929]

If you get a run you can lift it off with masking tape then the next few coats will smooth it out.  I know, a little late.  You can also wetsand it out and buff it later when the paint hardens.  I don't think it will matter, Dad will love it cause you did it. 

 

Tomorrow is my Bday too, tell Dad Happy Birthday for me.  You aughta let him see what you been up to on here.  

[km3h 543]

Sand the run out and then recoat it.

[Hodge71 664]

Heres the finished product...a 5 footer at best but once the paint dries.....(at this rate it may be May of next year).... and I wetsand the run out of the hood it will be a 2 footer. My lil guy helped me take it over tonight. I finished it last night around 7 and then proceeded to hook up my 42" deck to it nd mow fr an hour around the pond and pig barn in good heavy grass to give it a workout. It ran flawlessly which sucks because I can't complain about those stinkin' Onans anymore. Jeb helped me wash it tonight and load it on the trailer. My Dad loved it...said he's afraid to even sit on it but he's gonna give it a shot Thursday when I can spend some time with him going over the controls. A picture with him was completely putt of the question.. and he was serious when I asked him...lol.

 The decals are customs by Terry (Vinylguy)... and I must say, I love them compared to the Toro factory ones.He did such an amazing job when I told him I wanted different and original Im still waiting for the custom 50th anniversary special edition from a local guy but that will go on after the hood gets sanded and buffed anyhow.  

[rmaynard 15,719]

Looks good from here.

[km3h 543]

Wow, what a job. Absolutely beautiful

[Geno 1,929]

I told you dad would love it, I do too!    

[Hydro 131]

That's one awesome looking 416H Jeff.  You did a great job.  Glad your Dad was pleased with it.

[Sparky-(Admin) 21,541]

Real nice Jeff! Great decals and I totally love the color scheme!!

  Mike..........

[Martin 2,133]

Jeff, great job on the tractor, turned out really nice and i like everything different you've done on it.

 

 

Terry, nice decals once again........

 

 

oh, nice seat by the way, i think you (and Dad) will find that one real comfy.....

[AMC RULES 37,141]

Gorgeous  ...    

really nicely done Jeff.

[Save Old Iron 1,566]

 I bought all the stuff to paint this thing it was 80 out still. They gave me medium reducer which is good for 70 degrees according to the can. Today I painted it was 51..that coupled with my inexperience has led to some pretty serious runs. I see why fast reducer is better for colder weather.

 

You know the saying "where there is smoke there is fire" ?

 

The old bodyman who taught me how to spray also had a saying,

 

"goccia di colore , il tempo per la scuola"

 

or loosely

 

"where there's a run, there's a lesson",

 

20 degree difference with reducer is doable but I bet you were going for the "instant deep shine" - too much topcoat over too short a period of time. Never pull the trigger on the gun when the gun is over the work, start off the work and spray a full line across the work. Never load up paint on one spot or slow the gun movement down during the seep across the work - instant potential for runs.

 

If you laid down a more or less even coat of paint, wet sanding will be no problem. Be careful sanding near any edges or body lines.

 

Not a bad first attempt. You will get better. My first attempt was opposite of yours. I did not want any runs and sprayed the lacquer too thin and dry. The finish came out like 1000 grit sandpaper!

 

One other thought for future jobs - the 70 /50 rule.

 

Wait until the temperature is near 70 degrees and the relative humidity is near 50%.

Middle of the day in the month of September are usually best in the great Northeast.

Edited October 10, 2014 by Save Old Iron