mort 24 #1 Posted June 9, 2022 Does anybody have a source for Wheel Horse Red paint other than buying spray cans from Toro? Anybody out there know what the "special ingredients" are needed to make Wheel Horse Red Paint? I am sure somebody out there has the "special formula" to make Wheel Horse Red Paint.LOL! Thanks, Mort Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
clueless 3,002 #2 Posted June 9, 2022 what year wheel horse are you talking about? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 25,598 #3 Posted June 9, 2022 Read all about it… Been discussed once or twice… 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 41,150 #4 Posted June 9, 2022 If you have a piece of the Tractor with good paint still, many parts stores can shoot it with a camera and create a formula. Over time color changes. If you're only painting part of the tractor, even the correct original color won't match the rest of the tractor. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmaynard 15,509 #5 Posted June 9, 2022 The "special ingredients" that made Wheel Horse red, are no longer available. Lead paint was used back in the 50's, 60's and early 70's. So even if the original formula was found, it couldn't be duplicated. The other thing is that with every model year, the paint changed a little due to different paint companies providing the coatings. So, find a color that you like, paint your horse, and that's Wheel Horse red. 5 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mort 24 #6 Posted June 10, 2022 4 hours ago, clueless said: what year wheel horse are you talking about? Newer Wheel Horse tractors like 300-400-500 series around 1980 to 1995. Thanks, Mort Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mort 24 #7 Posted June 10, 2022 4 hours ago, squonk said: If you have a piece of the Tractor with good paint still, many parts stores can shoot it with a camera and create a formula. Over time color changes. If you're only painting part of the tractor, even the correct original color won't match the rest of the tractor. I have a good piece that I can bring into a parts store. I was just hoping that someone already did and I could just get me the number. I was just planning on dropping off the pieces for someone to paint it so a number would have been ideal. Thanks, Mort Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mort 24 #8 Posted June 10, 2022 4 hours ago, rmaynard said: The "special ingredients" that made Wheel Horse red, are no longer available. Lead paint was used back in the 50's, 60's and early 70's. So even if the original formula was found, it couldn't be duplicated. The other thing is that with every model year, the paint changed a little due to different paint companies providing the coatings. So, find a color that you like, paint your horse, and that's Wheel Horse red. Some of it won't be painted but the hood, fender, footrests and sides will be painted. This would be newer Wheel Horse tractors like 1980-1995 Thanks, Mort Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mort 24 #9 Posted June 10, 2022 4 hours ago, SylvanLakeWH said: Read all about it… Been discussed once or twice… Okay. Thanks, Mort Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jeff-C175 7,202 #10 Posted June 10, 2022 41 minutes ago, mort said: Okay. Thanks, Mort One thing I've noticed is that the Rustoleum Regal Red seems to darken a bit as it cures, after a month or so. If it looks too red at first, wait a month and decide. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 41,150 #11 Posted June 10, 2022 4 hours ago, mort said: I have a good piece that I can bring into a parts store. I was just hoping that someone already did and I could just get me the number. I was just planning on dropping off the pieces for someone to paint it so a number would have been ideal. Thanks, Mort You are better off bringing your own piece in. Colors change from the sun, ozone ect. Someone else's # or the original formula won't match. I had to repair a Saturn once. It was a white car and I ended up with a Ford formula. Matched perfect. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 8,327 #12 Posted June 10, 2022 @mort - One thing to remember - WH did not use a primer, just several color coats. Red is a somewhat translucent color, the substrate it is on affects the final hue. Take 2 scrap parts, prime one light gray, the other dark rusty metal brown primer. Paint both at the same time, using 3 coats of color. Let them dry thoroughly and place them in the sun. Look at both from different angles - they will be slightly different.... Bill 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mort 24 #13 Posted June 10, 2022 5 hours ago, ri702bill said: @mort - One thing to remember - WH did not use a primer, just several color coats. Red is a somewhat translucent color, the substrate it is on affects the final hue. Take 2 scrap parts, prime one light gray, the other dark rusty metal brown primer. Paint both at the same time, using 3 coats of color. Let them dry thoroughly and place them in the sun. Look at both from different angles - they will be slightly different.... Bill Crazy that Wheel Horse didn't use primer. I looked at all the notes from everybody using different brands of paints and color codes. It looks like International Harvester Red might be a good choice. I am just looking for something similar to my 300/400 series from around 1985 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ri702bill 8,327 #14 Posted June 10, 2022 24 minutes ago, mort said: It looks like International Harvester Red might be a good choice. I have used the IH rattle can Red from Ace Hardware - a tad on the orange side for the early round hoods & such - not so bad on the 1979 C81... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
clueless 3,002 #15 Posted June 10, 2022 2 hours ago, mort said: Crazy that Wheel Horse didn't use primer. I looked at all the notes from everybody using different brands of paints and color codes. It looks like International Harvester Red might be a good choice. I am just looking for something similar to my 300/400 series from around 1985 Your 300/400 series original paint color is Toro 361-10 New Toro Red. You can still buy it in a rattle can, google it Toro 361-10 New Red, it ain't cheap but it's quality paint. Buy a can and spray it on something then take that to an auto paint store they can match it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 41,150 #16 Posted June 10, 2022 Problem is, unless you're painting the entire tractor the correct formula when it was built won't match what's on there now. It's best to take a good piece off the tractor , clean it up and have it color matched so it matches the faded weathered paint Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mort 24 #17 Posted June 10, 2022 1 hour ago, clueless said: Your 300/400 series original paint color is Toro 361-10 New Toro Red. You can still buy it in a rattle can, google it Toro 361-10 New Red, it ain't cheap but it's quality paint. Buy a can and spray it on something then take that to an auto paint store they can match it. Okay. Thanks, Mort Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mort 24 #18 Posted June 10, 2022 27 minutes ago, squonk said: Problem is, unless you're painting the entire tractor the correct formula when it was built won't match what's on there now. It's best to take a good piece off the tractor , clean it up and have it color matched so it matches the faded weathered paint Okay Thanks, Mort Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mort 24 #19 Posted June 13, 2022 Someone mentioned 72034 Wheel horse Paint. What was the last year Wheel Horse used this paint? 1986? I know that 80311 is no longer available. What was the last year Wheel Horse used 80311? I know I can buy Toro 36110 What year did Toro start using this paint? 1990? Someone mentioned code PR4. What paint number above best matches PR4? Thanks, Mort Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
