Tractor painting questions

I plan to repaint a Farmall A...would appreciate learning of your experience and your recommendations.
1. Best way to clean/prep the tractor?? I have already power washed and degreased...what's next?
2. Has anyone used Valspar Resoration Series paint?
I hear it is a good product....and use the hardener to make it shine. Valspar says to prime only the bare metal....and rough up the paint that does not come off. Thoughts?
3. Other suggestions?

Thanks in advance guys.

Check the paint forum. I think you will be surprised that the valspar restoration series isn't a "high quality" paint. Plus there are some great tips on how to prep.

Some people dont think paint isnt any good untill you spend tons of money. Ive seen Valspar paing jobs after several yrsand they look fine to me. Ive also seen paint jobs that werent even close to I-H Red. Bottom line always is your tractor paint it anyway you like.

I'm not a painter but I have a few pretty nice looking tractors. The first and most basic rule for me is: Don't use expensive paint over a five hour prep job, and don't use cheap paint over a fifty hour prep job. Red is more susceptible to fading than any other color. The next step for you if you decide to take the mission is paint and rust removal. Most here use a cup style twisted wire brush in a grinder. To do a good job you will need to remove a lot of parts like the air cleaner, battery, ignition coil, generator, starter, so that you can clean behind them and get paint on the backside of the parts. Most people that work on old rusty stuff use acid wash to get the rust out of pits in steel and cast iron after removing all visible rust. The phosphoric converts the rust into inert iron phosphate, and prevents it from bubbling up after 2-3 years. As with anything else you must follow the directions on the product container, and take proper common sense steps to insure that you are not shooting your primer over water. There is a whole lot more, but one item that I have not seen is to insure adequate lighting, to insure good smooth final prep and level and even paint application. If you just go back over the paint and body work forum you can read for a few hours on the subject, and it is a wealth of knowledge from pros.

Valspar also is the supplier for Case-I-H 2150 you get at the dealer.

I have used Valspar Restoration Series with excellent results. However, Tractor Supply no longer sells the Valspar so my current choice would be CaseIH paint. You may still be able to find some of the Valspar on sale at some TSC locations. If so, be sure to get the Restoration Series. The regular Valspar Tractor & Implement paint is poor quality.

Harold H