Live4outdoors 151 #1 Posted February 8, 2015 (edited) As some may know when I joined this forum I was the new owner of my first round hood, I'm the 2nd owner of this untouched original 653 that has sat for 20 years in a barn after its owner passed and the kids decided to sell to me. I was raised with a father that brings old tractors back to life by repainting and making them look better then factory show room! All this talk lately about patina oil finishing(what I always called rat rod finish) is starting to peak my interest. Today I wheeled her in the heated garage and steel wooled just the hood and am on the fence, don't know if she's in need of what my original plans of frame off resto or if she is a great candidate for this patina show finish? The only thing that makes me second guess is when I pull the original seat pan cover back and see that beautiful original finish underneath.... Wandering what you all would do and why? And would you replace the original decals when keeping the patina look or let the worn down ones on her? Edited February 8, 2015 by Live4outdoors 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevebo-(Moderator) 8,059 #2 Posted February 8, 2015 They are only patina once after lets say...... 50 years ?? Do nothing but clean it up and running as you like. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 36,955 #3 Posted February 8, 2015 Why would you even consider removing the gorgeous patina on that tractor? Hands down...I vote keep it. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
neil 2,398 #4 Posted February 8, 2015 I agree with Steve , there are plenty of nice shiny ones around , yours in original condition are becoming harder to find . The only thing I would possibley do is see if you can find a seat that is in similar condition to the rest of the tractor and then put the shiny seat up on a shelf somewhere . I have a couple of tractors that are in show condition but I would rather they were original . Remember yours is that only one in that condition, so it's unique . 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slammer302 2,154 #5 Posted February 8, 2015 Keep it original I replaced the stickers on mine because they were missing but I think it they look great 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wishin4a416 2,189 #6 Posted February 8, 2015 I have to agree. Leave it as is. Nice looking tractor! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JERSEYHAWG / Glenn 4,487 #7 Posted February 8, 2015 Original is original, only once. Glenn Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JackC 616 #8 Posted February 8, 2015 The unit in your pictures should look spectacular after a careful detailing job and it will still be original. I would make sure everything is in good working order and keep the finish original but clean off all oil, grease and grime. I might refinish the wheels if they do not clean up and are badly rusted. If the rubber is still good you can use a tire dressing or something like Ruglyde to clean them up and delay dry rot. I use WD-40 to clean and brighten up the sheet metal. I use very fine steel wool if I need to remove rust. I use McGuire's paint cleaner if i need to remove scratches or dull paint. I sometimes use wax . An original seat and seat cover is also good. Badly worn decals can be replaced. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
55rj35jr 623 #9 Posted February 8, 2015 (edited) Super tractor,, pleeeeease leave it as it is, the nice patina tractors are getting harder to find than the one's that are no question need to be restored.. IMO I would not replace the original decals, just clean it up and get it running nice.. Edited February 8, 2015 by 55rj35jr 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wheel-N-It 2,967 #10 Posted February 9, 2015 Super tractor,, pleeeeease leave it as it is, the nice patina tractors are getting harder to find than the one's that are no question need to be restored.. IMO I would not replace the original decals, just clean it up and get it running nice.. DITTO ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
speedyleedy 205 #11 Posted February 9, 2015 I say keep it the way it is ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Live4outdoors 151 #12 Posted February 9, 2015 Well then, I guess that makes my decision a little easier! I've scrubbed parts of her down today and steel wooled and marvel mystery oiled the metal up and it looks good, just have to get used to it, it seems greasy haha, the kids like it probably cause they can walk away dirty! Thanks for the input everyone! I appreciate it! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jackhammer 544 #13 Posted February 9, 2015 How about a couple more pics of her done?? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
grnlark 479 #14 Posted February 9, 2015 Don't touch it! And please don't lather it down with salad dressing like other people do either (aka oil). Just wax it with a good Carnuba and keep it clean and dry. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Live4outdoors 151 #15 Posted February 11, 2015 How about a couple more pics of her done??let me get it back together and I will surely share, wasn't thrilled until I put my all alum color gas tank back on, I love that two tone look especially with the rusty patina! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Live4outdoors 151 #16 Posted February 11, 2015 (edited) Don't touch it! And please don't lather it down with salad dressing like other people do either (aka oil). Just wax it with a good Carnuba and keep it clean and dry. Where were you earlier? LOL. I tried motor oil didn't like the residu so graduated to marvel mystery oil and happy with that cause it is cleaner, but seems to be "sticky" I think when it wears off I will try the wax idea...I'm afraid wax on top of the oil will not work too good. Edited February 11, 2015 by Live4outdoors Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zeek 2,284 #17 Posted February 11, 2015 As some may know when I joined this forum I was the new owner of my first round hood, I'm the 2nd owner of this untouched original 653 that has sat for 20 years in a barn after its owner passed and the kids decided to sell to me. I was raised with a father that brings old tractors back to life by repainting and making them look better then factory show room! All this talk lately about patina oil finishing(what I always called rat rod finish) is starting to peak my interest. Today I wheeled her in the heated garage and steel wooled just the hood and am on the fence, don't know if she's in need of what my original plans of frame off resto or if she is a great candidate for this patina show finish? The only thing that makes me second guess is when I pull the original seat pan cover back and see that beautiful original finish underneath.... Wandering what you all would do and why? And would you replace the original decals when keeping the patina look or let the worn down ones on her? That's in great shape. I vote patina! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 36,955 #18 Posted February 11, 2015 Use your favorite method to clean... then seal it with Johnson paste wax. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Live4outdoors 151 #19 Posted February 12, 2015 Alright all, here's what I promised updated pics, the only thing left is the wheels, the old man dumped oil on them to preserve them....will be a horrible mess to clean but should make for beautifully preserved original wheels! 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slammer302 2,154 #20 Posted February 12, 2015 Looks awesome Are you going to give the wheels a coat of paint? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Live4outdoors 151 #21 Posted February 12, 2015 (edited) I'm hoping when I get that oil slop off I won't have to paint anything, cause the paint will be nice underneath! Will know after this weekend I guess when I get them stripped down and see what I got. Thanks Edited February 12, 2015 by Live4outdoors Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slammer302 2,154 #22 Posted February 12, 2015 Sounds like a good plan that's what I did with my 502 I'm still trying to decide if I should paint or not Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Live4outdoors 151 #23 Posted February 12, 2015 I think painting will take away from the rest of it, but if they are badly rusted you would almost have to or find better original rims and swap. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JackC 616 #24 Posted February 12, 2015 If they do not clean up, I would look for a pair of better originals rather than repaint. They come up on eBay from time to time. I bought a pair of very nice originals with very good rubber for my 1076. No muss, no fuss, no figuring out what paint to use, just replace. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Coadster32 793 #25 Posted February 12, 2015 I think painting will take away from the rest of it, but if they are badly rusted you would almost have to or find better original rims and swap. I agree on the painting. If you don't like the rims, you could find some used hub caps to match. Tractor looks great the way it is. Glad to see you left it, and treated it to an oil bath. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
