Best way to prep a tractor for paint

[1968Commando 170]

Hello, I am restoring my great uncles 1968 wheel horse commando and I am using a die grinder with a sanding wheel on it and it has just been taking for ever. I am using  a 120 grit flap wheel on a grinder to help with getting the rusty areas ground down. The part of the issue is definitely the compressor available to me cannot keep up with the air needed to run the die grinder unfortunately me being 16 and trying to do this project under 500 bucks I’m not sure what I could do to speed the process up if there even is any way to speed it up just let me know thank you.

[953 nut 63,167]

It is nice to see a young new member keeping a Wheel Horse in the family. I know you wouldn't want to spend a third of your budget on one tool but the surface conditioning tool in the link below would make the job much quicker.

Citrus based paint removers are relatively safe to work with and do a good job of removing paint. Before you use any chemicals please go over the safety instructions and have your parents go over them with you.

Please ask any questions that may come up as you go along, we are here to help.

https://www.harborfreight.com/9-amp-surface-conditioning-tool-58079.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=21894824535&campaignid=21894824535&utm_content=171327958738&adsetid=171327958738&product=58079&store=3234&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA74G9BhAEEiwA8kNfpcR9eGpDQfniunOw_PlpivxbHvBgGxoYVzL_tJJjdq0FBgIZ22PjKxoCxGEQAvD_BwE

[1968Commando 170]

5 minutes ago, 953 nut said:

It is nice to see a young new member keeping a Wheel Horse in the family. I know you wouldn't want to spend a third of your budget on one tool but the surface conditioning tool in the link below would make the job much quicker.

Citrus based paint removers are relatively safe to work with and do a good job of removing paint. Before you use any chemicals please go over the safety instructions and have your parents go over them with you.

Please ask any questions that may come up as you go along, we are here to help.

https://www.harborfreight.com/9-amp-surface-conditioning-tool-58079.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=21894824535&campaignid=21894824535&utm_content=171327958738&adsetid=171327958738&product=58079&store=3234&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA74G9BhAEEiwA8kNfpcR9eGpDQfniunOw_PlpivxbHvBgGxoYVzL_tJJjdq0FBgIZ22PjKxoCxGEQAvD_BwE

I will look into this although it may be a last resort due to my budget with the chemical strippers I just put it on the paint and then the paint scrapes off correct or is there more to that?

Edited February 3 by 1968Commando
Spelling

[953 nut 63,167]

14 minutes ago, 1968Commando said:

with the chemical strippers I just put it on the paint and then the paint scrapes off correct or is there more to that?

As I said, go over the instructions with your parents. I was a teenager and know it isn't cool to ask your parents but we want you to be safe and have this be remembered as a good learning experience.

With old paint that has a bit of rust imbedded in it a second coating of stripper using a Scotch-Brite pad or wire brush may be needed. Be safe at all times, good rubber gloves, face and eye protection and good ventilation of the work area are a must.

[Achto 30,226]

If you are on a low budget, maybe an E-tank would be the way to go. They are cheap to make, no expensive chemicals.

 

 

Edited February 3 by Achto

[oliver2-44 11,076]

I’ll also recommend an E-tank. That’s how I did my first tractor 

[1968Commando 170]

13 minutes ago, oliver2-44 said:

I’ll also recommend an E-tank. That’s how I did my first tractor 

Now e tank is electricity and you need a battery charger would a low amp battery tender work or no? 

[1968Commando 170]

25 minutes ago, 953 nut said:

As I said, go over the instructions with your parents. I was a teenager and know it isn't cool to ask your parents but we want you to be safe and have this be remembered as a good learning experience.

With old paint that has a bit of rust imbedded in it a second coating of stripper using a Scotch-Brite pad or wire brush may be needed. Be safe at all times, good rubber gloves, face and eye protection and good ventilation of the work area are a must.

Thanks sir I will definitely look into this I actually think we have some paint stripper at the house will talk to parents before I use for sure I also probably need to start wearing a mask when sanding 

Edited February 3 by 1968Commando

[1968Commando 170]

Would there be any downsides to using a cup brush and a grinder for getting the old paint off I do have a cup brush and a grinder already

[SylvanLakeWH 29,916]

24 minutes ago, 1968Commando said:

for sure I also probably need to start wearing a mask when sanding 

Yes definitely... And not a cheapo flat mask... at least a N-95... I also set up a fan next to the work so most blows away from me and the works area... I always do it outside...

[JimSraj 560]

49 minutes ago, 1968Commando said:

Now e tank is electricity and you need a battery charger would a low amp battery tender work or no? 

Whatever charger you use has to be a manual type so it continues to provide current. 

Edited February 3 by JimSraj
Misspelling

[1968Commando 170]

 

18 minutes ago, JimSraj said:

Whatever charger you use has to be a manual type so it continues to provide current. 

Unfortunately my charger is one were you plug it in and it automatically starts charging so I believe a E tank is out of the question 

[Racinbob 12,434]

12 minutes ago, 1968Commando said:

 

Unfortunately my charger is one were you plug it in and it automatically starts charging so I believe a E tank is out of the question 

 

As long as you parallel connect a battery in the circuit it will work. 

I also agree with an e-tank. I'm sure somebody will tell you it won't strip paint but......it does. 

[WHX?? 53,397]

2 hours ago, 1968Commando said:

compressor available to me cannot keep up with the air

We know all about that don't we @Achto

Sand blasting is the quickest. and leaves a good surface to prep for paint, 

A suggestion would be find a blaster in your area. Auto body shops and places that sell headstones are good places for leads. Explain to them you are restoring an old tractor. That might hit home with many shop owners. 

Since you are on a budget offer to push broom or other chores for trade. 

 

Good luck and let us know if we can help in other ways. 

Edited February 3 by WHX??

[1968Commando 170]

37 minutes ago, WHX?? said:

We know all about that don't we @Achto

Sand blasting is the quickest. and leaves a good surface to prep for paint, 

A suggestion would be find a blaster in your area. Auto body shops and places that sell headstones are good places for leads. Explain to them you are restoring an old tractor. That might hit home with many shop owners. 

Since you are on a budget offer to push broom or other chores for trade. 

 

Good luck and let us know if we can help in other ways. 

Thank you I will look into sand blasting and see how much it will cost .

Edited February 3 by 1968Commando

[Ed Kennell 43,846]

I use nylon (scotch brite) pads on a 4.5" angle grinder.     Please wear full face ,eye ,ear, and breathing protection.

[1968Commando 170]

30 minutes ago, Ed Kennell said:

I use nylon (scotch brite) pads on a 4.5" angle grinder.     Please wear full face ,eye ,ear, and breathing protection.

Alrighty well right now I have a wire cup brush but I will look into that as a option too 

[Ed Kennell 43,846]

1 minute ago, 1968Commando said:

I have a wire cup brush

I use the cup brushes also.   They are more aggressive and sometimes more difficult to control than the flat nylon pads.

[1968Commando 170]

If I continue to use a cup brush, I’m going to prime and paint the metal will the scuffs or swirls show thru?

[Handy Don 15,295]

19 minutes ago, 1968Commando said:

If I continue to use a cup brush, I’m going to prime and paint the metal will the scuffs or swirls show thru?

Very likely yes.

And wire brushing can be slow and tedious. I reserve wire brushing for places where the discs cannot reach. 

Paint remover discs like these are widely available, faster, and thorough. They can also leave marks, but usually fine enough that the primer will fill them.

 

[1968Commando 170]

30 minutes ago, Handy Don said:

Very likely yes.

And wire brushing can be slow and tedious. I reserve wire brushing for places where the discs cannot reach. 

Paint remover discs like these are widely available, faster, and thorough. They can also leave marks, but usually fine enough that the primer will fill them.

 

Is this too strong of a wheel or do you think it would work? 
 

 

[Easton Rich 770]

I would wire-wheel it and use a self etching primer. In the end it looks like you spent hours sanding it with sandpaper. Advice from a fellow 68’ Commando owner.

[1968Commando 170]

58 minutes ago, Easton Rich said:

I would wire-wheel it and use a self etching primer. In the end it looks like you spent hours sanding it with sandpaper. Advice from a fellow 68’ Commando owner.

Ok I have the wire wheel so I think I’m going to do this route and then any rust pitting do I grind it and bondo it to smooth it? 

[Easton Rich 770]

Yes

[Easton Rich 770]

A very thin layer of bondo, because if you use to much it’s just more to sand off.