davem1111 2,030 #1 Posted July 28, 2022 All, so I want to repaint the hood on my 416-8 which I am prepping for sale. I have a new set of decals already, thanks to @Vinylguy and I want it to look pretty good but was not planning to strip it down to bare metal. It's got a few rusty spots but they're not too bad, and I've either sanded them down already or will. There will be some visible "indentations" if I leave the old paint on and just paint over after sanding the rust away, unless I use some glazing putty to smooth those out. I started trying to peel off the old beat-up decals, but they tend to come off in tiny pieces. I know there's the "if it's worth doing, it's worth doing right" mentality, but I'd like to sell this before mowing season is over here or I might be sitting on it till next spring. Do you think I should repaint it "as is" after dealing with the rust, then put the new decals on top of the old? Or will that look too crappy? Is there a good and easy way to remove the decals? Hitting them with a torch might do it but might cause other.... problems. I've already repainted most of the rest of the tractor without stripping any old paint that was intact, but I did peel and sand any rusty/bumpy spots first. What would you do? Will post some pics if wanted. Thanks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevasaurus 22,764 #2 Posted July 28, 2022 First, a hot air dryer will be better in removing decals then a torch. Second, if you are going to sell it to one of the members, I would leave it for them to restore. A good chance your restoration is not what a member would do, and they would rather do it themselves. 4 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
davem1111 2,030 #3 Posted July 28, 2022 6 minutes ago, stevasaurus said: First, a hot air dryer will be better in removing decals then a torch. Second, if you are going to sell it to one of the members, I would leave it for them to restore. A good chance your restoration is not what a member would do, and they would rather do it themselves. Ah, well first off, I think I'm hoping to get more for it than members who are looking for something to restore would be wanting to pay, and/or come to southern Indiana to pick up. That could be a wrong assumption, or more of an "educated guess". If I had thought a member would be interested in it, I would have sold it "as is" before putting as much money and time into it as I already have. And yes, I'm realistic about what it may be worth, but to someone local who needs a good mowing machine that looks pretty good, it may be worth more than a member looking for a project. Maybe this is a "testing the waters" situation also. I have a B-100 here that is awaiting a bunch of work, and will probably go up for sale next spring. If I can't get at least close to what I've got into this 416-8 (not counting labor ), I may not be as motivated to do much to the B-100. I'm more interested in getting funds to apply to my other tractor projects in this case. This can sure be an expensive hobby if all the money is going out and none coming in. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lynnmor 7,307 #4 Posted July 28, 2022 49 minutes ago, stevasaurus said: First, a hot air dryer will be better in removing decals then a torch. Second, if you are going to sell it to one of the members, I would leave it for them to restore. A good chance your restoration is not what a member would do, and they would rather do it themselves. I agree with that. I looked at a low hour 520H that I would have bought if not for the reason that I had no idea about the abuse or weather exposure. The guy left the old decals on and painted around them which would have made more work for me had he left it alone. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sjoemie himself 3,068 #5 Posted July 28, 2022 I've seen these been used to remove stubborn decals or stickers. Caramel wheels for use in a battery powered drill. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pacer 3,173 #6 Posted July 28, 2022 OK, of the MANY tractors I've "refreshed" (which is what you seem to be doing) I think I've tried them all and have settled on one outstanding method..... Now, mind you, this is still a pretty labor intensive process and will still leave a bit of 'glue' to contend with, but its pretty fast and definitely less labor than many others. A common angle grinder with a coarse twisted wire cupped wheel and it will eat the decal right off, but will leave a good bit of the 'glue', but with continuing to run over the area it will slowly even take ... most? of the remaining glue off. Whats left I use Acetone on a coarse cloth - towel? and finish up with the clean up. a 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 25,596 #7 Posted July 28, 2022 Hot air dryer (with or without wife’s permission). Slow and steady. Comes off pretty much clean. Bit of gas or acetone to clean. Done. Regarding painting, your tractor your choice. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 12,233 #8 Posted July 29, 2022 4 hours ago, SylvanLakeWH said: Hot air dryer (with or without wife’s permission). Get your own hot air gun with variable temp and fan. You won't regret it. I have a Wagner that I got at HD on sale. Shrink tube? Enclosed solder connectors on a trailer re-wire? Frozen pipes? Decals? Removing vinyl floor tiles? Speedy epoxy cure? CHECK 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
