Paint for 1941 Farmall A

I'm told by my local dealer (H.D. Cline in Iowa City) that the CORRECT red for a 41 A is International 2150. The man told me THIS red is different from a later red for some International tractors. What is your take on this. By the way, can you add a "hardener" to this paint, if you get it in liquid cans? I take it the rattle cans of 2150 do NOT have "hardener." Is this true. What do you think the significance of the hardener is?
Tom in Iowa City

The IH 2150 is the correct color, I have had good results from the IH 2150 made by tisco.

Hi Tom,
any auto paint supply store should be able to put the paint with hardner into spray cans for you.
Charles

The "correct" color is IH 50, used from about late 1936 to mid 1949, 2150 did not show up on tractors until 1961, there were two other shades in between, 1102B and 201. IH 50 is not available from Case-IH, but can be mixed by PPG, DuPont, etc. The PPG code is 70019, DuPont code 7410. BUT, IH does recommend 2150 as a replacement for the paint they have discontinued, that does not mean it is the same shade, it is not. Hardener and paint mixed have a short life span before the mixture becomes unsprayable, thus it is not available in a rattle can. For the older alkyd enamel, hardener or not, the gloss depends on the painter, not on the hardener. Hardener speeds up curing, and will make the paint flow out better in the hands of someone who knows what they are doing (see previous statement). Enamels do not require it, urethanes do or they will not cure. A supplied air breathing system is required for hardener as the isocyanates in it will damage your lungs, eyes, and skin. A charcoal mask will not filter them out. Tractor store paints, such as those sold by TSC and Van Sickle, are low grade paints that are red, that's all -- not sure the code is accurately copied and can be about anything.

"--any auto paint supply store should be able to put the paint with hardner into spray cans for you." I don't think that is a very good idea -- the paint begins to set up as soon as it is mixed. Some may last 2-4 hours, some maybe 30 minutes, but it really needs to be used immediately. There is a "sprayer" with an air mechanism that you can mix the paint and hardener in and use it for small items, can't remember the name, it is sold in hardware stores. But, my experience with that is that the spray is too coarse and will not give a good finish on a larger object.

I was at a auto paint store one day and had asked about the cans, they claimed they did it all the time for shops that needed just a little for touch up work. Makes sense about the hardner though. Thanks for the input.
Charles

With the newer paints, I believe the major paint companies have some mechanism to add hardener to pressurized cans while spraying. This is strictly for touch up work. I don't know the details or how widespread this is and doubt if it is currently available to NAPA or the general public.