What have you done to your Wheel Horse today?

[Sparky-(Admin) 23,277]

Continued with the deep cleaning of the C-85. 
  A few before and after pics:

 

 

[953 nut 60,333]

1 hour ago, MainelyWheelhorse said:

Rust Oleum IH Red for it to try out in my new paint gun.

Add some hardener and use enamel reducer rather than mineral spirits.

[Shed 356]

I used krylon ih paint with out hardner and boy it took a good 4 days to dry and it still let's me put my nail into it. 

[vogli 90]

There are some around here who obviously are known to do things right, and take pride in their work. However, *thumps his chest*, I am not limited by such quaint things things as skill and know-how.

 

So, I fixed my steering problem with a no-weld, no-skill, no-shame solution.

 

\

 

 

 

any bets on how many days it will last?

 

 

[ebinmaine 72,952]

3 minutes ago, vogli said:

However, *thumps his chest*, I am not limited by such quaint things things as skill and know-how

 

[Ed Kennell 42,138]

12 hours ago, vogli said:

any bets on how many days it will last?

6,893

[c-series don 10,141]

And I if doesn’t last, Brian at K+B Wheel Horse Parts has them. 

[JoeM 8,427]

Missed a spot 

Looks good!

[JoeM 8,427]

Took Artie out for a ride yesterday. 

Need to drive it more battery was low. 

 

 

 

[peter lena 9,308]

detailing  belt belt  belt belt pulley function @Sparky  that upper idler pulley  is in question .  tiny bearings , metal flecks ,refitted  / replaced the ones I had , often refer  belt drag , noise / whyining  , its not one part its the entire set up , also  how easily do things move ?  interesting since I have been on my  belt related problem interest , have no belt fraying . splitting  or related , anything , no screaming  pto engagement , or sudden belt engagement . like to  study a  problem , and eliminate it , rarely if ever  set it up the same way  , or  don't take advantage  of  when / how it  messes up .  only me . pete

[MainelyWheelhorse 1,609]

 

Today was paint day, I was also getting used to and dialing in my new gravity feed Husky paint gun. I got it in June for my birthday. The panels overall are going to need a little sanding and touch up especially the rear pan and guards as they were the first thing painted. The hood turned out great and no runs overall. It’s a learning curve. It beats using a spray can too.

[Dan 312-8 147]

I brought an RJ home today.

5 hour round trip.

Older restoration, hasn’t ran in years, piston is free. 
I’ll work on this in my spare time ….
The gentleman threw in what he said was an original fabricated slot hitch. Can anyone confirm this?
I know the front wheels are not correct, saw that right away.

Its granddaughter approved !

[wallfish 18,239]

8 minutes ago, Dan 312-8 said:

The gentleman threw in what he said was an original fabricated slot hitch. Can anyone confirm this?

Yes, that's a correct factory hitch.

You can get a lift cable for it at wheelhorsepartsandmore.com

 

Very nice find as it has all of the usually missing parts

[kpinnc 14,705]

I'm not a RJ guru, but that's a nice looking tractor! I wouldn't change a thing! 

 

As @wallfish said, you got all the parts that are typically missing!

 

...and if that is a Kohler and has compression, it will run. 

[Dan 312-8 147]

12 minutes ago, kpinnc said:

I'm not a RJ guru, but that's a nice looking tractor! I wouldn't change a thing! 

 

As @wallfish said, you got all the parts that are typically missing!

 

...and if that is a Kohler and has compression, it will run. 

It’s a K91.

[953 nut 60,333]

1 hour ago, wallfish said:

Very nice find as it has all of the usually missing parts

Including the showerhead muffler.       

[Dan 312-8 147]

On 8/13/2025 at 6:57 PM, Sparky said:

Continued with the deep cleaning of the C-85. 
  A few before and after pics:

 

I can relate, deep cleaned this 312-8 before the 2024 big show.

 

 

 

[Sodaking27 1,029]

Had a few out stretching their legs. 

 

[adsm08 3,337]

I waited for parts.

[AlexR 2,015]

Finished the headlight mod. 

[JoeM 8,427]

On 8/16/2025 at 4:24 PM, MainelyWheelhorse said:

It beats using a spray can too

started using a gun a few years back and yep it is so much better.

 

I know you did not ask but here are a few tips.

I was always shying away due to the clean up of the gun. I use brake cleaner now and with the straw and it cleans up in less than 5. especially when using disposable cups. 

 

I mix the hardener with the reducer first then add to the paint. I like about 1 to 5 mix @28psi. and use the thumb to pinky distance for the gun. of course using a piece of cardboard to get the pattern dialed in. 

 

I have found if I have a light in the background, it helps for how fast I move the gun. I look at the sheen in reflection of the light and speed up or slow down so it maintains a wet edge. 

I buy the single stage auto paint on eBay that has the reducer and hardener included. 

I have used this paint a few times and it works really well. Available in quarts too. 

[MainelyWheelhorse 1,609]

@JoeM in the 1 to 5 paint to hardener/reducer mix, Is it 1 to 5 paint to reducer/hardener or the opposite?

Also what are you setting your fluid and pattern control knobs at at least for a baseline. Thanks, the info has been helpful.

Edited Monday at 04:54 PM by MainelyWheelhorse

[JoeM 8,427]

3 hours ago, MainelyWheelhorse said:

Is it 1 to 5 paint to reducer/hardener or the opposite

Start with 10 oz paint 1 1/2 of reducer and 1 oz hardener to start. And I usually end up with 10 oz paint and 2 oz reducer. with 1 oz hardener 

Start out on the low side on reducer you can always add. I never mix more than 10 oz of paint. I use those cheap Harbor Freight guns and run the feed near wide open. I move pretty fast on the first coat as the tack coat. About 10 minutes and re coat slower. Some like to touch the paint on an area like the tape and if the paint doesn't come off on your finger it is ready to re coat. 

The Mfg recommends 8 parts paint 2 parts reducer and 1 part hardener. Which is a little thinner than i prefer.

 

 

[MainelyWheelhorse 1,609]

 

Yesterday after the initial coat of paint and filler primer, the body panels needed a bit more filler. after spot putty and apparently half kicked bondo that was still sticky today. I’ve got it figured out. After a scrape down of the old Bondo, and bit of new Bondo. It’s almost ready for another try at painting it. I’m going to attempt that before dark tonight if not tomorrow afternoon. It’s been an adventure😄

Edited Monday at 09:56 PM by MainelyWheelhorse

[adsm08 3,337]

23 hours ago, adsm08 said:

I waited for parts.

 

Still waiting for parts. Was informed they got dropped in the mail today.

 

On the bright side the grass isn't growing, and I have PLENTY else to stay busy with.

Edited Monday at 11:24 PM by adsm08