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Gregor

To prime or not to prime.

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Gregor

Painting has never been one of my strong points but, I think I am going to try to paint my C-142 myself, if I can find a paint I am happy with. I am talking about spray paint. I have been doing some experimenting on small parts.I have tried self etching primer, and Rustoleum gray primer. After waiting 24 hours, neither of them seem to get what I would call "HARD" hard. I can still push my thumb nail into the paint. My nephew painted my last tractor with automotive paint, and it is HARD! I am considering not using a primer. Is this a bad idea on bare metal? I plant to have the pieces either acid dipped, or media blasted.  Thanks Greg

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bottjernat1

This is what i have been doing for years. I either have someone blast the stuff or i use oven cleaner for the small stuff and a wire brush. Then i use these Rustoleum Primer and paint. My restored rj58 looks fantastic. ALso on my rj i used 2 or 3 coats of paint and 2 coats of a clear coat. I finished my rj in 2015 she still looks perdy no paint issues. Now the hood and rims were done by a local tractor body shop. But I painted the rest with rattle cans. Perfect match I think!

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ebinmaine

My Honey Trina is my "Paint Department". 

She uses almost exclusively Rust-Oleum 2X paint. 

 

If you want the paint to properly cure you'll need to lay it on and leave it alone for at least a couple months. 

 

It works fine for our applications because we build working tractors that get scratched and scuffed and she doesn't mind doing touch ups before shows or gatherings. 

 

 

If you really want truly "hard" automotive paint you need to get the tractor parts ready for paint and have someone spray them with real live actual auto paint. 

 

 

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WHNJ701

This topic has been discussed often on here, might want to search through old threads.  

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Tgalo

+1 on the rustoleum farm and implement paint. Just wear a respirator, Some stinky stuff

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Achto
4 hours ago, Gregor said:

I am considering not using a primer. Is this a bad idea on bare metal? I plant to have the pieces either acid dipped, or media blasted.

 

Self etching primer will actually eat in to the metal a little bit and gives your primer or paint something to adhere to. I always use it. Primer is most commonly used to fill minor imperfections in the surface before painting. Do not expect the durability of an automotive paint to come out of a spray can. An automotive paint with hardener added actually chemically dries/hardens, while spray can paint dries by evaporation only.  Painting is like most things, it can be as expensive or as cheap as you desire. Most times the price/quality of the materials will show in the end results.

Edited by Achto
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oliver2-44

+2 on the Rustoleum Farm and Implement spray can paint.  I also use self etching primer.

 

When I use a spray gun I use Rustoleum Regal Red and an enamel hardener.  It gets almost as hard as automotive paint at a lot less cost.

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/majic-catalyst-hardener-clear-half-1-2-pint-1177127?store=561&cm_mmc=feed-_-GoogleShopping-_-Product-_-1177127&gclid=CjwKCAjw0On8BRAgEiwAincsHL7VZZkA5abSFtKSoHlS_GuqUyaSXEZfHTI9MBF4yEFWGrxcmZoR1xoCn8gQAvD_BwE

 

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squonk

You can get Automotive Urethane Enamel in Spray cans. Dries faster and harder than your run of the mill Rustoleum. Your local Napa store should be able to make it for you or their paint warehouse can do it. Not all colors are available but I like their Crossfire Enamel line. One problem though is cost. About $20 for a can

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tbirdsteve

Here in Australia we have a paint called Valspar. It's a 2 pack paint that uses a hardener. I have a feeling it's available in the US as well. It's designed to go over bare steel etc and dries hard as a rock. I use it a lot and can't recommend it highly enough. Just make sure the part is media blasted and clean and rust free. 93 model 520H I'm restoring. 

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Jerry.Guzzi

Painting for me is a hobby. I've tried the no prime idea but it doesn't last more then a couple years. So now I prepare all metal before priming.(I use paint stripper on sheet metal so it doesn't get warped, then dry sand with 80 grit (for primmer to stick better and at warm temperatures), then wet sand the primmer til smooth(use a little  Dawn dish soap in your water, you don't want your oil from your hands on primmer). look it up on you tube

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