"Autobody" repair and maintenance?

[chrisvconley]

This may sound like the lamest question, but do any of you work on your tractor's looks with autobody-like repairs and touch-ups?

Repair dents, wash and wax, grind and paint areas, buff it to look like new?

Don't get me wrong, mine is a hard-working tractor, not a show one, but I like taking care of my equipment and don't work on my cars/trucks like that anymore.

Let me know!

 

[GeoHorn]

Does your question include the use of rattle-can paint…?

 

[Bmyers]

I try to wash and wax mine once a year.

The wash is so I can get a good look and see if I have any issues anywhere that could of been hidden by dirt.

The wax is to try to keep it looking decent and I do touch up the scratches with the spray can.

PS-my SUV usually gets washed twice a month and detailed once a year. So, my vehicle cleaning and tractor cleaning are not on the same level.

 

[Geezer3d]

Just the opposite for me. I clean and lubricate the places that need grease or oil, but that's about it. The rain does a good job of washing off the dirt. If I had any places where the paint is missing such that the sheet metal would rust I would prime and paint that.

 

[chrisvconley]

Does your question include the use of rattle-can paint…?

I like to use a spray gun!

 

[William1]

I wash my little guy once a year. Here lives in a three sided shelter and eventually, the dust, pollen and birds have him looking dingy. Sometimes, I'll even wax the hood!
Same with my PU, though the PU resides in a real garage.
Wife's car, a few washings a year, but we go out in it a few times a week, my PU and little guy can go weeks between usage.

 

[kubotafreak]

I keep mine touched up with hardened oem paint. I just don't like rust coupled with powder coat. But, to answer your question, if my hood got smashed in then yes. I would repair it the same way I would a car. The tractor cost a pretty penny so I keep it nice. I used to work for a body shop. Im always restoring/repairing tractors I find. The paint is mixed and just going to harden. So I waste as little as possible. Suitcase weights and buckets always seem to get the leftovers. Do I wax it? No, but I may buff a spot or two with my pistol hand polisher the one time a year she gets washed. She does get the grease gun every time it gets used.

 

[chrisvconley]

I keep mine touched up with hardened oem paint. I just don't like rust coupled with powder coat.
...

Thanks, @kubotafreak!

What is hardened OEM paint and where can one get it?

I imagined there was a body shop pro who liked to restore/repair tractors!

 

[GSD-Keegan]

Yes. I take pride in my tractor as well as other vehicles I own. I enjoy washing and waxing with a beer and good music. Sometimes things like a loose bolt or missing cotter pin will reveal themselves when doing such tasks, lol. I had leftover ceramic coating so the hood on my lil Kubbie got done!

 

[kubotafreak]

Thanks, @kubotafreak!

What is hardened OEM paint and where can one get it?

I imagined there was a body shop pro who liked to restore/repair tractors!

Get the paint from the dealer or order from messicks. I buy qt or gallon of both orange 2 and dk gray. This is the off the shelf hardner I use if you got a sherwin williams auto near you.

Be sure you understand isocyanates. Because of this I try at all possible to foam brush parts. (It levels great) Only mix what you need in a cup no reducer unless spraying, and very small reducing, it doesn't like to be cut. Paint match will be respectable. Just need a little of the hardner. It adds a lot of gloss. Id do half of what it says to add. I buy the tiny bottles too, it hardens in can too fast. Don't tear the foil seal… One last thing kubota primes in off white. So if you want match 100% though I never have and its fine, and I'm picky.
The wheel weight had most of the paint chipped off. The cutting edge was shipped raw cast. I just wire brushed both and solvent cleaned. The oem has good direct to metal properties.

 

[kubotafreak]

 

[mikester]

I washed my tractor last spring after giving it a mud facial then I pressure washed the mud and all my decals off. I think that's called detailing because I even pressure washed inside the cab.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

I use Turtle Wax Seal-N-Shine on mine once a year. I tried their Ceramic stuff on the boat, but found that it was more difficult to apply and got basically the same results.

I also pressure wash it pretty regularly ( or take it to the Quarter Car wash during the winter).

I went to an automotive paint supply store and had them mix up some touch up paint. The guy did an amazing job and it is absolutely identical to the factory color.

I also use a polishing compound when a stick rubs the side of it and leaves marks that can be rubbed out.



Paul

 

[fried1765]

I like to use a spray gun!

If it is just a scratch I use a touch-up brush with real enamel.
If it is a large area, I DO use a spray gun.
I detest rattle can paint!
It often creates an ugly overspray mess (usually little or no taping), and it is not a durable coating.
Yup...a spray can is handy,....and the spray gun does take much more time, but a properly done spray gun paint repair will provide a good looking durable lasting repair.
Would you use spray cans on the hood of your car?

 

[Bmyers]

Would you use spray cans on the hood of your car?

I can answer that question, but then you would realize how big of a redneck I really am.

 

[GreensvilleJay]

re: Would you use spray cans on the hood of your car?
yes, no problem..you can buy both single stage and 2 stage , made in the autopaint stores.
heck, I used an 8" roller and TREMCLAD gloss white on my '67 Mustang HT one year. Arguably it held up better than 'powder coat' has.

 

[fried1765]

re: Would you use spray cans on the hood of your car?
yes, no problem..you can buy both single stage and 2 stage , made in the autopaint stores.
heck, I used an 8" roller and TREMCLAD gloss white on my '67 Mustang HT one year. Arguably it held up better than 'powder coat' has.

Ah....but you are in Canada.
You need to buy quick drying spray cans, so the paint will dry before it freezes.

 

[sardillim]

had to do it i hate dents

 

[Runs With Scissors]

had to do it i hate dents

Very nice!!

Is that your paint booth? Looks very professional.

 

[woodman55]

A well maintained, nice looking machine, is always worth more when it comes time to sell/trade.