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How to best clean up tractor?

F

FordManiac

Member
Guys,

I want to really clean up my Ford 2810.  However, the tractor has low hours and the paint is like new so i want to maintain its condition as much as possible.  This tractor will be stored most of the time and only used once a year.  I will be cranking it every month or two but thats about it. Shes pretty clean overall but theres some diesel fuel, dirt, maybe little oil around engine.  Again not much but i would like to clean it on up.  Whats best solution/product for removing this?  Ive used purple power in past but not sure on this older tractor.  Any thoughts?
 
I used a 3600 psi pressure washer to clean my ford before I painted it. Got water in engine, tranny, hyd and rear end. Damaged some gaskets too. After that, I take a stiff brush, make a strong mix of water and the stuff I wash my car with, then hose off with garden hose. Keeping water away from starter, generator, mag and any place where water can get into the oil.

I don't think it's that important to keep a tractor clean after using a pressure washer.

Don't have a steam generator, yet. I'm thinking that may be the way to go. Like to hear what others think of steam gennys.

George
 
that 3600psi was the problem, not sure of pressure on mine but not over 1500psi, probley closer to 1000 psi and no problems like that and does the job.
 
The 3600 was needed to remove 40 years of dirt, oil, flaky paint and crap. I still had to scrape some of the mess off the bottom of the tractor.

Yes, 3600 was a mistake. Not sure 1000 still wouldn't put water past a gear shift lever or a 3 pt lift arm.

If I ever use a pressure washer again, I'll warm up the tractor when finished and drain all fluids.

Perhaps, I'm wrong, but I feel that a clean tractor isn't worth the damage that water can do.

I feel the same way about lawn mowers. Water will do more harm to the mower's bearings than grass under the deck will.

I saw an old tractor that sat outside last winter. The tranny was full of water, froze up the tranny. Couldn't move the tractor.

I keep all my toys out of the rain too.

Dirty old tractors operated by a dirty old man:)

George
 
I think you are right that a pressure washer can very easily do damage also. Like the valve cover gasket would be an easy one to blow out. I think it would be interesting to powerwash around the gearshifter and see just how much water gets in, a little or a lot. I would also guess most things are safe to wash like this, and I think a hot water washer would work really good for this.
 
To get all that gunge off and remove diesel stains, I went down to
my local car wash and asked them to fill a bottle of neat car wash
solution/detergent. I put it in a pump spray bottle and spray the
oily area with the detergent neat and then brush it some with a
paintbrush and wash off with an ordinary hose. Sometimes if you
do not get all the detergent washed off it will leave a white residue,
this will rub off or wash off with water and a soft brush. I then use
WD40 to bring back the sparkle of new paint and help protect the
paint finish.
Sam
 
Wash tractors all of the time with a hot water pressure washer and I have not had an problem with water getting into things. You have to use your head a little and not spray water into things that can let water into the inside of the tractor. George you just need to watch where you where spraying/washing better.

As far as cleaning a dirty but good paint tractor. I would use a degreaser (simple Green works well). Spray it on and let it soak. Then brush it around and soak it some more. Then wash it off with water. If you have a pressure washer thats is great if not then elbow grease and a water hose will work too. To protect the paint after it is clean just about any type of car wax will work fine.
 
I use a power washer and have had no issues. I use good ol dawn dish soap as I have a suction tube to run it through the washer. Then wax it and buff. I have heard of guys spraying oven cleaner on the oil and grease spots.
 
I had a steam jenny and it created many problems too. If you tried washing off something with good paint that was maybe not prepped real good it wanted to lift it off.
Best thing i did was get a Hotsy pressure. Got the largest one that still ran off 115 volts. This is plenty big enough you still have to be careful around belts and wires not to get close. Endless supply of hot water really makes it nice. Rarely use any soap anymore.
 
I agree with huskers -

dawn and a pressure washer are hard to beat.

Do it on a hot day when you don't mind getting soaked -otherwise get the rain gear out.

Use some common sense with the washer. It's not so much how much pressure you're running, or what size nozzle you're running it through - just keep your distance reasonable, don't put the tip of the thing righ up against anything but solid cast parts.
 
Any of you guys that are washing and waxing tractors actually farm? Or is it all weekend warriors and collectors? No offense, just wondering where you get the time.
 
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