Cleaning/waxing

[1968Commando 163]

Hey all, what is your process for cleaning your tractors? I mow with mine and I did just restore this tractor a few months ago and for some reason grass really likes to stick to it badly especially the rims, anyways, I really need to wax it, it is rather hot here do I wait for cooler temps also I need to put decals on but I think I should wait for it to not be 95 degrees as well, this tractor was rattle canned so do I need to be careful of what I use to wax  it or can I just use whatever, I don’t really know so whatever yall have experience with please let me know, 

 

thank you, camron

[ebinmaine 72,728]

We don't wax any of ours. Someone else will chime in there.  

 

Washing is occasionally done with a few drops of dish soap in warm/hot water then rinsed. 

 

Be very particular about getting as much grass and dirt off the transmission and engine cooling fins as possible. 

 

[Thegearhead0324 1,352]

I treat mine like a classic car… the chrome I keep shiny with a good polish, I keep it wiped down with quick wax/microfiber towel. I washed it a few times but it doesn't see bad weather or mud, only when I plow snow with it. The seat I use vinyl/leather conditioner. The tires I use tire shine. If it gets wet I immediately shammy it dry. I used ceramic wax on it once, no paint came off. 
 

My tractor is also spray canned/brushed, but everything I mentioned above keeps it protected. 
 

But if you use it like a tractor should be used and not really worried about looks, I would honestly keep it washed and keep the mower deck clean, plow blade clean, etc. Also fluid film is amazing for decks snowblower and blades as it stop rust and lubricates (all moving parts for that matter.) 

[1968Commando 163]

19 minutes ago, Thegearhead0324 said:

I treat mine like a classic car… the chrome I keep shiny with a good polish, I keep it wiped down with quick wax/microfiber towel. I washed it a few times but it doesn't see bad weather or mud, only when I plow snow with it. The seat I use vinyl/leather conditioner. The tires I use tire shine. If it gets wet I immediately shammy it dry. I used ceramic wax on it once, no paint came off. 
 

My tractor is also spray canned/brushed, but everything I mentioned above keeps it protected. 
 

But if you use it like a tractor should be used and not really worried about looks, I would honestly keep it washed and keep the mower deck clean, plow blade clean, etc. Also fluid film is amazing for decks snowblower and blades as it stop rust and lubricates (all moving parts for that matter.) 

Ok thank you 

[8ntruck 7,842]

Mine are in perpetual work cloths.  They get blown off about once a month with a leaf blower, and a wash/degrease mabe once a year - spray on Gunk, then like @ebinmaine, warm water with dish  soap.

Edited June 24 by 8ntruck

[Easton Rich 622]

Wash it with car wash soap you can find at Walmart then wax it with Lucas SpeedWax. My B-80 is rattle canned and no paint has ever come off! Just a suggestion

[kpinnc 14,651]

I'm not a regular washer on my tractors. During warmer months, they are all dirty. Maybe once a year before they go up for a winter break, they get a bath. 

 

But as has been said, just dish soap and water works fine. So far as any wax goes, Meguiars hybrid ceramic is good stuff and easy to apply. Spray it on, wipe it off. 

 

Edited June 24 by kpinnc

[Achto 29,405]

Heat is not a huge factor when waxing paint, sunlight on the other hand is. If you are going to wax it, make sure that you are not in direct sunlight. Park it in the garage or a shady spot, let it cool down for a bit, and then wax it. You will have better results.

 

Waxing it will make it easier to clean.

[peter lena 9,280]

@1968Commando   rarely  wash , my units , but regularly , give them a regular lubrication rubdown . all of my paints have been recovered with  a penetrating oil first , then mineral oil , rub in , to " break the grunge  "  then a 6" electric palm buffer with cleaner wax , once recovered , the paint  looks  very clean / solid .  like this , like a mineral oil clean cloth rub down , no dust / dirt / grunge . pete

 

[Beap52 1,424]

I bought a cheap buffer/polisher and tackled my pickup and delivery.  My goodness, I couldn't believe how it brought the shine back to the paint.  I'm planning on buffing the 520 before long. 

[peter lena 9,280]

@Beap52 very often refer to what i  try , experiment with , recovered a horse , last year , typical train wreck , first thing i did was get the paint wet with penetrating oil , that set for days , hot sun , noticed the darkening  of the finish , indicating  an  absorption of the oil , to used to be paint , clean cloth mineral oil  wipe down , perfect patina ! typically  this not a quick transition , but my 3 horses , are clean paint , shinny . go easy on the buffing , like a cleaner wax , only thing I clean my  paint with is mineral oil  wipe down , till dry . glad for you , pete    

[8ntruck 7,842]

Morgan, the 14-8 got a shower today.  He was hooked onto the pontoon trailer while I was working on the outboard engine.  A rain shower came through just after I had buttoned the engine up and put my tools away.  I took cover, leaving poor old Morgan out in the rain.

[2kflhr 13]

I have a '97 522xI and for the most part is nicer than most 1 year old tractors. I blow it off after each use and wash it once or twice a year, blow and towel dry. Every couple of years I wax it. I've worked in the electrical utility industry for many years and we used Collinite 845 insulator wax on bushings. Over the past 15-20 years it has grown in popularity by a lot of car show enthusiast and they use on their show cars now. It is extremely durable, long lasting. 

 

I have CDO (same thing as OCD, but in alphabetical order) Years ago I washed it one Friday after using it and the following morning I was waxing it. My neighbor who was a good friend was out on his back porch and yelled to his wife "Renee, the SOB is waxing his lawn mower". haha

Edited July 1 by 2kflhr

[kpinnc 14,651]

3 hours ago, 2kflhr said:

My neighbor who was a good friend was out on his back porch and yelled to his wife "Renee, the SOB is waxing his lawn mower". haha

 

I love neighbors like that. Not trash talking your friend- but so many who have a truly bad attitude probably never changed the oil in stuff and just gripe about it being crap because it blew up. 

 

Had a neighbor once who picked on me about my tractors until I let him borrow one. Last check he now has 6 Wheel Horses! 

 

I drag all my tractors out and wash them a couple times a year. Obviously this is a perfect opportunity to snap a few pictures. My neighbors probably think I'm a bit odd, but I can't remember my GIVADAM alarm ever going off. At least once a month they all come out to run 20-30 minutes too. Sounds like a Harley convention... same neighbor rule applies... 

Edited July 1 by kpinnc