Hammerhead 816 #26 Posted July 18, 2014 Here are some pics of a couple WH's that I have used WD40 and 4 ott- 0000 steel wool on for paint restoration. The first one is a 1967 Model #857 that I cleaned half of the hood to demonstrate how much paint is hiding under the rust. The 2nd machine is my early production 1955 RJ35 that was pretty much totally fried with rust. I couldn't see any red paint no where on this old girl. The after pics are quite amazing to see how much red paint is underneath the rust! So just spray the machine with WD40 and lightly rub it down with 4-0000 steel wool, that is the finest abrasiveness they make and I don't use any other size! So I hope this will help out guys who don't want to restore a nice original condition WH but just leave it in as found condition!! I think they look just fine the way they turn out with just a good cleaning. You can keep the oiled look on it year round with a few shots of WD40 later in the year too. I usually wipe it down with a towel type of rag just to keep it dry to the touch. 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jsp_333 222 #27 Posted July 18, 2014 Wow that is a huge change and the photos really tell the story. At least now I know I won't be removing what little paint that is on it. So at this point it's just clean the tractor to keep it "as found". Also don't remove anything to clean it. Don't want to risk leaving tool marks on a screw or a bolt.I'll worry about the engine later John Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KATO 115 #28 Posted July 18, 2014 WOW the chances of finding anything like that up here are ummmm ...well... probly zero Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JERSEYHAWG / Glenn 4,487 #29 Posted July 18, 2014 (edited) I think it's turning out great. Glenn Edited July 18, 2014 by JERSEYHAWG / Glenn Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jsp_333 222 #30 Posted July 18, 2014 Kato By "up here" do you mean north of the 49th or north of Hwy 7. john Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jsp_333 222 #31 Posted July 19, 2014 Some photos of the beginning Started with two front wheels and axle The difference is remarkable. It is very disconcerting at first to see exposed metal beside paint. I stopped a few times to makes sure I was only removing dirt. But as you can see from photos removing some paint is inevitable. Actually looking at the photos now I see I removed more than I thought I had. Think round two will be somewhere less conspicuous while I refine the technique. It feels a lot like polishing furniture Things I learned on my first attempt {in hopes others will share} 1. never used compressed air. You remove more paint than dirt. 2. try not to scrub - which is hard especially when trying to remove caked on grease. More to follow. Also, is that really a grease nipple on the front wheel? John 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 36,941 #32 Posted July 19, 2014 Careful... less is more here. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jsp_333 222 #33 Posted July 19, 2014 Ya I was a little enthusiastic to say the least.. I had paint coming off the wheel using just a cloth and WD40. But how to remove the dirt, grease, grime, without removing the paint? Could really use some help here. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ken B 3,116 #34 Posted July 19, 2014 You are doing fine, it is inevitable that paint is going to come off. If you feel you need to touch up the rims a little with some paint I don't think that is a real issue. You can always weather the paint a little on the rims... IMO it is the tractor you don't want to add new paint to. I think the rims look real good though, I'd be happy with them as is. You are very fortunate that the front rims are in good shape at all. More often than not the calcium that was added for weight in the front tires has rotted out the valve core causing the calcium to leak out of the tubes and destroy the rims. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jsp_333 222 #35 Posted July 19, 2014 Oh it was calcium that what was coming out of the valve when I was filling the tires with air. I thought water had gotten into the tire some how and I was blowing it out. Also, thanks for the encouraging words. I've started thinking "what have I got myself into?" Trying to take it slow and steady. john 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jackhammer 544 #36 Posted July 20, 2014 Nice find for you . Good going Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Stigian 1,234 #37 Posted July 20, 2014 That's a fantastic find, I'm with the other guy's, don't paint her. She looks great with a bit of age showing Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jsp_333 222 #38 Posted July 21, 2014 Had a better day today. Really needed it. Did one rear wheel and hub. Can you ever see the difference just a little WD40 and steel wool makes. A toothbrush is my new best friend. Can't wait to work my way around to the hood. I'm saving that for last. I'll post an update when I've finished. Everyone must be getting tired of all the photos. I'll tackle the engine - Kohler K-90? - when she's finally clean. John 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 36,941 #39 Posted July 21, 2014 There's never enough picts of artwork like that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jackhammer 544 #40 Posted July 21, 2014 Oh yea .... what AMC said , don't give up on us now 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
specialwheelhorse 174 #41 Posted July 21, 2014 Wow. Fantabulous !!! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevasaurus 22,229 #42 Posted July 21, 2014 Man, you are doing an excellent job on here. If you want to cut the grease without hurting the finish...try some mineral spirits with that tooth brush. You can just rinse it off with water and wipe it dry...then do the steel wool and WD-40. Yep, those are grease fittings. I have never seen them on the hubs on the horses...very cool. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KATO 115 #43 Posted July 21, 2014 Ive seen a few from the mid 60s "up here" in the Orillia area. cant believe you found one from the fifties at all ,let alone one that nice here in Ontario ...pretty rare here!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jsp_333 222 #44 Posted July 21, 2014 Great tip Steve. And I guess I'll keep the photos coming. Can anyone identify the engine from the pics posted? Not showing , not attached, it came with one of those oil bath air cleaners. John 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brrly1 1,146 #45 Posted July 22, 2014 I think a safe guess would be a Kohler, either a K90 or a K91 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
russtiron 41 #46 Posted July 26, 2014 Hi John I saw pictures of your tractor when it was for sale and if it wasn`t in Canada I would have went for it.This tractor is a tru survivor ,from what I can see the only original parts missing are the engine tins ,Schnacke recoil assembly and the belt guard.The Kohler Schnacke comes up on E-bay from time to time.Excellent find! Keep the photo`s coming Chuck 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JERSEYHAWG / Glenn 4,487 #47 Posted July 26, 2014 Fantastic. The more pics the merrier. Glenn Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jsp_333 222 #48 Posted July 28, 2014 O.K. more pics. She looks a bit odd all covered in WD40. The frame forward of engine cleaned up nicely. Actually ended up doing hood Had trouble uploading images on last post so I'll try again 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ken B 3,116 #49 Posted July 28, 2014 I think it looks awesome! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jsp_333 222 #50 Posted July 28, 2014 It seems I have "exceeded my allotted disk space for attachments" I need to shoot smaller pics I guess. john Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
