Restoration Poll

[RedRanger 1,470]

There is some debate of what everyone prefers.  Would you rather see an original tractor with original patina?  Or a fully restored one?  Or a clear coated patina?

[ACman 7,675]

My favorites (for now) are the barn fresh originals pulled out door , with caked on oil and all . Check the oil and go  ! I'd like to see one done with a flat clear though . My 1075 has old stickers on the hood that needs protecting . But in the end , it really doesn't matter , I like them all . 

[Horse46 519]

I've voted however , just because it's old it may not look good in its old cloths a repaint may be the better choice, just saying..

[Digger 66 3,488]

I didn't vote because a lot of it depends on the circumstances .

[RedHorse54 578]

If the tractor has original paint that looks GOOD, and there is till a good amount of original paint and doesn't make it look like a basket case, then I'd leave it original. But if there's more rust or surface rust than paint, I'd restore it 

Edited July 9, 2016 by RedHorse54

[953 nut 63,191]

I have two 953 drivers, one is a hot rod custom and one is rusty, has no paint at all is literally as dirty as the day it was drug out of a neglected barn (had it at the Big Show) and they both get complements. I have a third 953 that I will do a full restoration on, it is one of the early ones with the Ross steering. That being said I am glad that different folks do different things, variety is what makes life interesting. 

[russellmc301 601]

to what red said.

[JERSEYHAWG / Glenn 4,499]

I voted to restore / refresh to new. I have only seen a few with a full patina that I liked. But thats just me and my opinion. I just think they look great being brought back to showroom new.

 

Btw, thanks for starting this poll. 

 

Glenn

[cschannuth 3,819]

RedRanger, in honor of your poll, here's my Red Ranger with 33 years of patina. 

[rjg854 12,653]

I agree with redranger if it still looks good in it's original clothes, leave it that way. If it really needs restored then have at it. Course there's nothing wrong with one that looks like it just came off the showroom floor either. It's just personal preference.

[Achto 30,234]

I prefer shinny & new looking. It is interesting though that when I go to shows and park my restored tractor next to my rusty rat, the rusty rat seems to draw more attention.

[Daddy Don 911]

If you buy wh's like I do they are too far gone to leave in the condition of patina. I also enjoy seeing how well I can bring it back to life. I also like to see some left in the state they were found if they are not too far gone.    

[Digger 66 3,488]

                         

[rmaynard 16,701]

My vote was for restore, because I am a "restore" kind of guy. My personal feelings are that if you want to leave your tractor as found, or oil it up, that is your prerogative. But if you are going to take the time to try to improve the looks or make major repairs, you might as well go ahead and remove and stop all the rust and corrosion at the same time. Otherwise it will continue to eat away at the metal, no matter what you put on the top surface. Clear-coat or paint over a non-repaired surface is akin to putting a band-aid on cancer. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 10, 2016 by rmaynard

[WHX?? 53,407]

We've all heard the saying "it's only original once" and it is true but yeah if ther is more rust than paint go for it. When I first aquired a certain 400 Suburban I had visions of new sparkly red with stainless hardware. I have since been made to see the light by others here that forgot more than what I'll ever know about horses so I left as is and it turned out beautiful. In the future I have since subscribed to the thinking of if it's been restored before by a half hearted attempt by a PO then go for it. It really does depend on the tractor. I have seen 953's 953 and it does have a character that demands as much attention if not more that new red. 

[rjg854 12,653]

can't disagree with that, Bob. If you're going to do restore it, do it right!

[bob's toy 32]

I like them both ways. I went for the restoration on my 1267 and do not regret it. I started out to just get it running but the more I did the more I realized it would be a great restoration project. It is my first WH and not the last for sure. It is not for show but runs like a charm. Good luck on what ever you do and post some pictures.

 

[oliver2-44 11,076]

As most indicate iytreally depends on the condition of the tractor and your preference.  I started out as a restore everything guy and am seeing the light on leaving some of them original.

 I have one that I,m riding the fence on doing a wet sand and clear coat   

[JPWH 6,542]

I am not a collector so I don't buy lots of tractors. I use what I do have and I like to know I have a good mechanically sound tractor. The 854 I just rebuilt was a must for a total teardown and rebuild so I built it the way I wanted it. 

My raider 12 will be tore down and rebuilt in the near future.. I will be making modifications as I go to suite my needs and taste as well. My profile says I like round hoods and I will have a 12 hp shorter frame 6 speed round hood with front and rear hydraulics. I say shorter frame because I want a tighter turning radius.

Edited July 10, 2016 by JPWH

[PeacemakerJack 10,841]

I'm a fan of restorations with fresh paint and lettering.  I love to take a tractor that is one owner away from the scrap yard, pull it apart, fix what is needed, and paint it as good or better than new for a new lease on life.  Many of the GT's built in the 50's, 60's, and 70's deserve that honor (especially the horses!) 

 

However, I think sometimes there are tractors that are used and have story to tell with every scratch, dent, and blemish.  These are the tractors that someone took care of from day one, yet because of the nature of implement pulling, lawn cutting, and snow removal, they have acquired a special patina.  I'd call it "storybook patina".  Those tractors are the ones in my opinion that should be left as is with a Satin clear coat to preserve them just as they are.

 

[RedRanger 1,470]

Glad to see this thread is popular.  There are so many people here with so many preferences, just wanted to see what the overall percentages are.

So we're about 44% prefer original and 56% prefer a restored look.

 

Myself, I like them all.  Originally, I preferred them all restored as new show quality.  The problem with this is it becomes a shame to use them.   

But the more I'm around and the more I see, I prefer a sound mechanical tractor with original patina.  Battle scars show character.

 

 

On 7/9/2016 at 6:14 PM, cschannuth said:

RedRanger, in honor of your poll, here's my Red Ranger with 33 years of patina. 

Now that's what I'm talking about!  What a shame it would be to paint over that!

 

My stepdad had the same truck back in the day with an extended cab.  The wheels and hood scoop look perfect on there.  Sweet!

Notice the wear on the drive's door.  Bet it had a tool box in the bed at one time too.

[cschannuth 3,819]

49 minutes ago, RedRanger said:

Glad to see this thread is popular.  There are so many people here with so many preferences, just wanted to see what the overall percentages are.

So we're about 44% prefer original and 56% prefer a restored look.

 

Myself, I like them all.  Originally, I preferred them all restored as new show quality.  The problem with this is it becomes a shame to use them.   

But the more I'm around and the more I see, I prefer a sound mechanical tractor with original patina.  Battle scars show character.

 

 

Now that's what I'm talking about!  What a shame it would be to paint over that!

 

My stepdad had the same truck back in the day with an extended cab.  The wheels and hood scoop look perfect on there.  Sweet!

Notice the wear on the drive's door.  Bet it had a tool box in the bed at one time too.

My son found this truck in Arkansas.  It has zero rust through but an older gentleman bought it new and was unable to drive it the last ten years.  Unfortunately, it always sat outside so the paint suffered a bit.  I must admit I cheated on the patina.  I liked the look but didn't want the sheet metal to decay any further so I sanded the rough spots clean.  Then I use two colors of primer and a rusty brown color to re-create the missing layers of paint and rust.  It's not perfect but it gets a lot of comments (mostly good).  Everything works, including the A/C, so I use it for my running around truck.

 

With regard to tractors, as of this week I will have one that is totally restored, one that was babied by my dad for almost 40 years and will remain stock, and one that has lots of patina but is decent mechanically.  I like them all.   I agree with much of the sentiment on here.  It depends on the tractor and what makes the owner happy.  This is one of the best addictions/habits out there in my opinion.

 

Craig

Edited July 11, 2016 by cschannuth

[Ken B 3,202]

I think the older round hood tractors age better than the newer tractors and look good in their original patina. Many collectors will pay much more for a nice unrestored RJ than they will for one that has been all done up.  Flat hood style tractors, (especially the 3, 4 and 5 series tractors) patina or rust just doesn't look as good on them... Of course there are always exceptions to the rule. Most of the round hood tractors that I see that are restored are over restored from what they were when show room new.. (though they do look nice) Bottom line, life is too short so suit yourself...

[whtractors24 3,444]

To each there own. I prefer restore to a decent new condition not using any filler etc . Some round hoods I see done look amazing but like Ken said there over done. In the late 50's the paint quality wasn't as good as it is today. 

[Wildside 195]

I really enjoy the all natural look, even though I did a complete restore on my B-80 and the C-160, now trying to decide which route for the 702 I just picked up.