Buffing original paint on 520H

[Liberty work shop 9]

Does anyone have any experience with buffing out the paint on a '97 520H ? On my other tractor projects , ( Ariens , Bolens , JDs ) I have been able to bring the finish back very nicely by just buffing ... My most recent project is a '97 520H , and the finish that actually started out looking better than my other projects , doesn't seem to want to buff out like the others ... Did WH use a different paint process , ie base coat / clear , or something else ? Any help would be great , thanks , Jerry

[lynnmor 7,773]

I use Groits Garage Complete Compound with a  electric polisher, came out great.

[JCM 10,161]

Wheel Horse used what they called a 5 step process . I can't type all of it but comes down to powder paint electrostatically  charged and applied to hood. Then baked in an oven at 360 degrees. They used no primer at least on the 3,4 and 500 series tractors. Other models, not so sure.

[squonk 43,664]

Depends on what's left of the paint. I find the 300-500 series are usually pretty rough shape if they have been left outside compared to the older models.

[Skwerl58 761]

I used  Mequiars compund on my 414-8 then 3-m Cleaner wax. Next time it will get some Mequiars regular car wax. I kept it off of the decals and used trim restore on those. I keep the wax off the black and just touch it up with  Krylon when I need to.

[76c12091520h 3,892]

Basically what @JCM said, it's similar to powder coating but less durable,; oem finish  was neither shiny nor durable. Lots of orange peel.  I have a NOS 314 that I detailed this past year and I had to cut most of the painted surfaces with 3000 grit and then buff with a rotary polisher and several steps of compounds to get any depth / shine.