Irish Rover 14 #1 Posted March 31, 2014 I wanted to reach out to the members to discuss their opinions on repainting or keeping the weathered patina of their tractors. I have a recently acquired '75 C-100. Sheet metal is in great shape, and a great candidate for a complete resto. But... It looks kinda sharp the way she is too. I plan to repaid the rear wheels black to match the fronts. I am attaching a couple pictures I took today. Please have fun with this one, and let the opinions fly. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevebo-(Moderator) 8,532 #3 Posted March 31, 2014 Paint the wheels only and leave it as is. WAY too nice to repaint. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HorseFixer 2,013 #4 Posted March 31, 2014 I would leave her be, but paint the fronts white. Either way Nice Tractor! ~Duke Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jrblanke 918 #5 Posted March 31, 2014 Do you want to do a full resto? If it were me, and I were buying one to use, I would not repaint it. That being said, I would like to do a full resto on a tractor one day. I was going to do a resto on my 876, but I think original paint gives it a lot of character. Just depends on what you originally bought the tractor for. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Irish Rover 14 #6 Posted March 31, 2014 I plan to use this one for maintenance around the airport. Seeding, fertilizing, etc... I don't plan to mow with her. She did come with a 36" RD deck. I plan to freshen up the deck and sell it. I wasn't planning on a restoration when I bought her, but it's hard not to think about it. I do like the weathered look a lot too. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
formariz 12,045 #7 Posted March 31, 2014 Although I really admire and apreciatte many of the incredible restorations seen here by many members in my opinion unless tractor is a total basket case I would not restore it. Many of these old machines have incredible character which can only be achieved with time and use.When looking at a perfect restoration one usually is not admiring it for what it is but in my opinion we are really admiring the care and craftmanship that went into it. However when admiring one with the so called patina which includes the effects of time and usage one really is thinking more of the tractor and of all the great service it has provided to owners. I can say that i actually look at them with respect and admire them rather than one's work put into it. Many of these things actually have "soul" . Keep in mind that after restoring a tractor its usefullness is greatly diminished since one is always going to be hesitant in using for many tasks for the fear of damaging it. Take care of it, preserve it ,use it to its full potential and purpose and everytime you look at it it will grow on you more and more. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Irish Rover 14 #8 Posted March 31, 2014 Looks like I'm going to be saving some money on sandpaper, primer & paint. I'll keep the checkbook open for mechanical repairs and upgrades. Maybe a stable mate too. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
neil 2,410 #9 Posted March 31, 2014 if you want a own a totally ORIGINAL wheel horse tractor , then i would leave her as she is , Restored tractors look awesome , But having it original , even with battle scars takes years to create & will only increase in value . Imagine how nice she will look in twenty or thirty years time when she is STILL in her original clothes , & she is a real beauty now . Most of the tractors i own are all in original condition Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 43,812 #10 Posted March 31, 2014 (edited) Paint the fronts and clean it and that 's it! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Edited March 31, 2014 by squonk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Irish Rover 14 #11 Posted March 31, 2014 Ok... I have seen Wheel Horses with black, off white and white wheels. Is the off white or the white the more typical color? I know the black is not as common Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bmsgaffer 2,053 #12 Posted March 31, 2014 Im pretty sure off white is factory color on all WH's up to the early 80's generation. (There were several variations of the off white) They switched to silver after that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Uncle Buck 246 #13 Posted March 31, 2014 Paint the front rims and put tri ribs up there too. Leave it alone it looks way to nice to restore to me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dandan111 31 #14 Posted March 31, 2014 Looks pretty nice to me. The black wheels are pretty cool. I would save your money and look for some weights. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
formariz 12,045 #15 Posted March 31, 2014 Looks like I'm going to be saving some money on sandpaper, primer & paint. I'll keep the checkbook open for mechanical repairs and upgrades. Maybe a stable mate Speaking of money and sense the latter being clouded in many of us myself included due to our love for these little machines, in the event that one needs to part with a tractor, one cannot ever get even close to recuperate what is spent on a restoration .That is speaking of parts and materials only . One cannot even consider getting any return for the labor involved. I guess that is why it's called a labor of love! So your decision to keep checkbook open for mechanical repairs and upgrades is a sound one. As for the stable mate,be careful. From experience I can tell you that that one can get out of hand very quickly . 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Irish Rover 14 #16 Posted March 31, 2014 My understanding is that a pair will breed more like rabbits than horses. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hodge71 665 #17 Posted April 1, 2014 (edited) I'd repaint those front wheels linen beige, get rid of those ags up front for a set of tri ribs and be happy with an awesome looking original machine Edited April 1, 2014 by hodge71 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 37,196 #18 Posted April 1, 2014 Iffin it was mine.. I do all four wheels gloss black, and leave those ags right where they are. Cool tractor like it sits now too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Irish Rover 14 #19 Posted April 1, 2014 Craig, I need an ARK FEL like yours on this one. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Irish Rover 14 #20 Posted April 1, 2014 Thank you all for the responses. I like the mix of opinions on the wheels and tires. It looks like the general verdict is to leave the tractor alone. I tend to agree. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wheeledhorseman 579 #21 Posted April 1, 2014 Good call I think, though personally I'd have those fronts in off-white. Someone recently advised in a similar thread 'it's only original once'. Wise words! If you're itching to restore a tractor, look out for one that's already been daubed. Andy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tankman 3,523 #22 Posted April 1, 2014 Agree above. Repaint the wheels, white, and have a blast. Nice lookin' Stallion! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tim 97 #23 Posted April 1, 2014 I would paint the front rims.. I use antique white... it's my story and I'm sticking with it as far as painting the tractor, how about clear? you keep the "patina" and you also protect further rusting light sand for heavy rust if any and go I never tried it thoughts? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
