painting tractor

mark in boonville ny · Apr 14, 2013

i decided while my ford 7700 is tore apart i am going to paint it. i am sandblasting all the sheet metal and pressure washing the rest. i was wondering what the diference between the red and gray primer is and where each would and wouldnt be used. i know the wheels get painted with gray primer and and what ever else is white and the trans and rearend are red. also how many coate of primer, color, and clear coat you would use. i would figure 2 coats of each. and how many gallons of each do you think i would need. thanks

Royse · Apr 14, 2013

The difference in red and gray primer of the same type is literally the color.
The gray is easier to cover with light colored paint, but harder to see where you
have painted and may give you a false sense of having the paint on thick enough.
It is easier to see a light colored paint and its coverage over red primer, but
takes more paint to cover. Which helps make sure you have enough on.
Mostly a preference IMHO, I have bought only gray primer for about 25
years except for the tan color I use with the urethane paints.
The number of coats I use depends on the paint.
I use at least three light coats of primer and paint.
Often more on the primer, sanding between coats.
Two on the clear coat if it looks good enough.
Obviously how much you will need will vary with how you put it on.
One recommendation though is to get all you need and mix the color together.
Not mixing it with thinner or hardner, just the color so it all matches.
Any touch-ups can be done out of what's left over and will still match.

Paul from MI · Apr 15, 2013

Be EXTREMELY careful sandblasting sheet metal. It's real easy to turn good parts into twisted, warped, useless pieces. If you haven't done it before, find someone to do it that knows how. Pressure washing works well, but you may end up with a wire brush and scraper to get a surface that paint can adhere to. I find a knotted wire brush on my 4-1/2" grinder really works well and will get right down to bare metal. Other guys know a lot more about painting that I do, but you have to have a clean surface without any oil or grease for paint to stick.

mark in boonville ny · Apr 15, 2013

Thanks. As far as sandblastic it needs to be done. Everything is sirface rust there is no color at all literaly. I shouldnt have to sand between coats should i because i dont plan too

Royse · Apr 15, 2013

You do not have to sand between coats to make the paint stick.
Sanding between coats of primer allows the primer to fill in scratches
and other small imperfections so you have a smoother finish.

mattwillson · Apr 16, 2013

you should use epoxy primer now days as the other
stuff (low voc) just doesn t seem to adhere
well.24hrs later and if you don t see any spots that
need to be sanded, you can lay your colour coats
on.I did a truck 2 months ago with Utech 3.5 allowed
an hr flash time between coats, I didn t prime the
hood as what was on it was in good shape already.
Hope this helps you.

mattwillson · Apr 16, 2013

For tinwork, I d strip it with aircraft stripper.
Tall strip from proform is good stuff, glob it on
and let it work for 20 mins then scrape off and
repeat if necessary. when your done, wipe off wipe
gunwash or laquer thinner or pressure wash with soap
and water.

mark in boonville ny · Apr 20, 2013

ok thanks for suggestions if there are any other important things people have to mention let me know i want this to look good for the first thing i ever painted. thanks

Royse · Apr 20, 2013

Anything you paint will only look as good as your prep work.
That's really the bottom line regardless of what primer/paint you use.
I painted this truck right where it sits with Valspar Farmall red oil based
paint from TSC. I think it turned out Ok even though the picture's lacking.

mark in boonville ny · Apr 20, 2013

Looks great. Really only thing i plan to do is pressure wash the crap out of it then sand blast the rust like most people i know usualy do and some people would just paint over the rust but i want it to look as good as possible even tho hood and fenders are all dented up and welded. There gonna be the real eye sore.

Royse · Apr 20, 2013

If you leave previous paint on it, make sure that paint is not flaking.
If its loose or flaking the new paint will just flake off with it.
As long as the previous paint is adhering well, sand it lightly with fine
sandpaper to give the new paint something to adhere to.
Just enough to take any shine off the old paint.
Clean all oil and wax off with a good cleanser PRIOR to sanding.
Got your paint gun yet?
Cheap ones work well, you just can't get parts for them.
You can buy cheap and disposable or keep one forever if you
want to spend the money.
I have a couple expensive guns I use on special project cars.
That truck was painted with a $15 Harbor Freight gun.
Post some pics when you're done!

mark in boonville ny · Apr 21, 2013

Yup i do have my guns. I have a little purple one for $15 i bought yrs ago and a $25 one both from harbor freight. I have paint ordered and ready just got to do the sanding and put the trans back in the tractor

painting tractor

mark in boonville ny

Member

Royse

Well-known Member

Paul from MI

Well-known Member

mark in boonville ny

Member

Royse

Well-known Member

mattwillson

Member

mattwillson

Member

mark in boonville ny

Member

Royse

Well-known Member

mark in boonville ny

Member

Royse

Well-known Member

mark in boonville ny

Member

Similar threads