19richie66 16,970 #51 Posted December 1, 2018 Looks great! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vinylguy 4,666 #52 Posted December 1, 2018 17 minutes ago, ebinmaine said: Terry I think that looks fantastic. We have a couple more to do here. Please keep sharing how you get that done. We'll be interested to see how it comes out. Thanks Eric. I really like the powder coating and it does make application much easier The mild pitting does not bother me. Pretty sure the powder coating would not work if we filled the pits anyway. If there is a really good looking chrome paint then I would repair it first. Will prepare a post on each step once I get the artwork perfected. 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjg854 10,761 #53 Posted December 1, 2018 If that's not perfect, instead of just throwing it away, drop it in the mail to me and I'll try and find a place I can hide it 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Tuul Crib 7,332 #54 Posted December 1, 2018 Sweet terry! Great lookin tractor! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vinylguy 4,666 #55 Posted December 1, 2018 (edited) I finally got the templates adjusted and have stayed up past my bed time putting this concept together. I really like the way it turned out. Step 1. prepare your metal dash and powder coat or paint the entire dash plate with whatever color you prefer I chose to try Cowboy's new chrome powder and I think it looks awesome. I happen to think you could do a silver paint or white or maybe even linen beige any of those would look great. Step 2. Get out your decals. the red die cut vinyl (Wheel Horse) decal and apply on the top of your dash. the black letters for the rib are printed on a clear adhesive vinyl which is almost invisible on the chrome powder. It is long, skinny and thin but really pretty easy to lay down on the rib. I found it easier to line up the word ignition centered under the hole for the ignition switch off course. then the throttle lettering will be positioned correctly when laid down. then just work your way back to the left till it is all applied. You should have about a 1/16th left hanging over each end of the rib which you trim off with your exacto knife. Step 3. Remove your black and brushed chrome decal for the bottom of the dash plate from it's backing paper. step 4. position it up against the bottom of the rib with the lock arrow centered over the throttle hole. If it is lined up close to center you will have about 1/16" of decal hanging over the left side of the plate and about 1/4" hanging over the right end and bottom. IT should look like the following image when you turn it over to trim. step 5. turn your plate over and lay the bottom flat against your table (preferably a cutting mat) and trim all excess decal from your plate. then turn it back over and trim out all the holes . BOOM your done!! Much easier to install and you do not have to fight the rib trying to make the vinyl stay down in the creases. What do ya'll think. Edited December 1, 2018 by Vinylguy 5 10 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 10,346 #56 Posted December 1, 2018 That looks great!! I agree that fighting the decal over the crease is tricky. I've managed a couple by using a salvaged CB antenna magnet base holding the plate in a vice (ya gotta have 3 hands) and working the decal around the crease using something like a credit card (OK, I save the AARP cards they send when trying to get you to join). I was happy with the results but I like your approach better. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 63,272 #57 Posted December 1, 2018 Looks fantastic Terry!! We're going to need some o those 'round here. Super impressed with how much easier it looks to apply. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Retired Wrencher 4,887 #58 Posted December 1, 2018 12 hours ago, Vinylguy said: Powder coated the dash today. Going to try an idea I mentioned earlier. It was powder coated black and now it's chrome. It has some pitting but that's ok. Not looking for a show piece just nice looking worker. Terry I did a lot of these when I got them from you. I always made sure the surface was smooth I think 320 grit. Then wood cut the decal in half put them on one at a time. always came out good this way .Enjoy the project. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 59,827 #59 Posted December 1, 2018 Terry you’re such a pioneer! Great work! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sarge 3,462 #60 Posted December 1, 2018 I love the idea of a 3-piece solution versus using a single decal to repair those old dash panels - much easier to get the best results. The original ink stampings over steel are so hard to duplicate since all of them rusted so badly if left out in the elements even for a short time. Honestly, for this dash series you could drop the single decal and just go with this setup instead - never thought of doing it this way from the start when we got into these projects, excellent work, as always. Sarge 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shynon 7,435 #61 Posted December 1, 2018 7 hours ago, Vinylguy said: I finally got the templates adjusted and have stayed up past my bed time putting this concept together. I really like the way it turned out. Step 1. prepare your metal dash and powder coat or paint the entire dash plate with whatever color you prefer I chose to try Cowboy's new chrome powder and I think it looks awesome. I happen to think you could do a silver paint or white or maybe even linen beige any of those would look great. Step 2. Get out your decals. the red die cut vinyl (Wheel Horse) decal and apply on the top of your dash. the black letters for the rib are printed on a clear adhesive vinyl which is almost invisible on the chrome powder. It is long, skinny and thin but really pretty easy to lay down on the rib. I found it easier to line up the word ignition centered under the hole for the ignition switch off course. then the throttle lettering will be positioned correctly when laid down. then just work your way back to the left till it is all applied. You should have about a 1/16th left hanging over each end of the rib which you trim off with your exacto knife. Step 3. Remove your black and brushed chrome decal for the bottom of the dash plate from it's backing paper. step 4. position it up against the bottom of the rib with the lock arrow centered over the throttle hole. If it is lined up close to center you will have about 1/16" of decal hanging over the left side of the plate and about 1/4" hanging over the right end and bottom. IT should look like the following image when you turn it over to trim. step 5. turn your plate over and lay the bottom flat against your table (preferably a cutting mat) and trim all excess decal from your plate. then turn it back over and trim out all the holes . BOOM your done!! Much easier to install and you do not have to fight the rib trying to make the vinyl stay down in the creases. What do ya'll think. I could use one of those red wheel horse decals for my original 867 that someone tried to polish it off, no mentioning names here Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vinylguy 4,666 #62 Posted December 1, 2018 36 minutes ago, Shynon said: I could use one of those red wheel horse decals for my original 867 that someone tried to polish it off, no mentioning names here Just so happens I know a guy. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vinylguy 4,666 #63 Posted December 2, 2018 10 hours ago, Sarge said: I love the idea of a 3-piece solution versus using a single decal to repair those old dash panels - much easier to get the best results. The original ink stampings over steel are so hard to duplicate since all of them rusted so badly if left out in the elements even for a short time. Honestly, for this dash series you could drop the single decal and just go with this setup instead - never thought of doing it this way from the start when we got into these projects, excellent work, as always. Sarge Have to get the rest of the dash plate files updated first but will be dropping the current decals soon. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
redone 45 #64 Posted December 10, 2018 Are your tractors seats professionally restored? Like to find a breat restoryer. Thanks Bill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vinylguy 4,666 #65 Posted December 10, 2018 5 minutes ago, redone said: Are your tractors seats professionally restored? Like to find a breat restoryer. Thanks Bill Bill I live in west Central Illinois and about 2009 a customer from a town about 50 miles from me ( which is highly unusual) purchased a set of 657 decals. all these years later I see an ad on facebook for a 657 non runner with a K181 upgrade that is only 40 minutes away. The seat on this is not original to the tractor and I have no idea if it is an off the shelf or a seat pan that has been reupholstered. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vinylguy 4,666 #66 Posted December 14, 2018 (edited) Got the refurbished dash in and the air cleaner & reg cover powder coated chrome. Will be powder coating the engine tin red and the starter belt cover is going chrome. If I'm not happy with look I will redo it next winter. Edited December 15, 2018 by Vinylguy 3 8 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 46,873 #67 Posted December 14, 2018 The bright accents really stand out, the belt guard against a powdered shroud is gonna be off the hook! 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vinylguy 4,666 #68 Posted December 21, 2018 Progress has been slow but will speed up after Christmas. Ordered a new key switch from a-ztractor.com today. I was able to get to the shop today And check out the engine parts that Gary got Powder coated. Definitely non traditional. The pulley was the last to get done. It is a bit darker than the hood. No idea what paint the PO used for the hood. After seeing it I'm thinking we should have used that powder on everything but I kind of like the 3 colors together also. Will remove the engine next winter and redo it all red if it starts bothering me. I'll see how I like it once we reassemble everything. 3 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
19richie66 16,970 #69 Posted December 21, 2018 Looks good. Definitely has POP! 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 51,899 #70 Posted December 21, 2018 All of those powder coated pieces will clean up easily after you get done mowing with it! 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Blackhood Bill 720 #71 Posted December 21, 2018 Sweeeeeeeeeeeet! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vinylguy 4,666 #73 Posted January 24, 2019 Finally found the time to get back to the 857. New key switch in, fuel shut off valve in, engine tins and belt cover installed. Added a little gas and BOOM!! she's running like new. Next project is an exhaust and replace the spec plate. My colors are a bit different but I like the way it looks. I changed the decal on the front of the hood to the chrome. I just like the looks of the chrome better. Not sure what I am going to do for the hood decals but it will not be traditional. 3 6 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 63,272 #74 Posted January 24, 2019 Looks great Terry. Glad to hear you got it running well. Your hood decals would look really nice in a black and chrome theme or black and linen just to be different. I'll be looking forward to seeing what you come up with. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vinylguy 4,666 #75 Posted January 24, 2019 2 minutes ago, ebinmaine said: Looks great Terry. Glad to hear you got it running well. Your hood decals would look really nice in a black and chrome theme or black and linen just to be different. I'll be looking forward to seeing what you come up with. You read my mind Eric. Flat black and chrome but will use the templates from the 69 charger 12 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites