What paint to use on my tractor?

[msheep66]

I used Vapormatic paint and I haven't had any issues with it chipping.

 

[fergie35]

If you don't mind me asking, why is it chipping?

If a stone hits it or you tap something against it etc... I have had it when I dropped a screwdriver handle against my axle and it chipped it.

 

[Mursal]

We found that the colour of undercoat also contributed to the problem, if it chips into a sympathetic colour its not to bad. For that very reason we never undercoat plastic anymore, so if it does chip its back to the original, not a mustard undercoat.

 

[Ley253]

I used to use vapormatic, but it doesnt seem to last .I changed to Kramp for the lorry cab, much better finish, and is lasting well ( lorry lives outside), but not quite sure of the shade, Vapormatic may be closer, everything is in Leyland light blue, using all paint, thinners etc from same manufacturer.

 

[AJR75]

I use the sigmadur (550 I believe from memory) 2 pack and mixed as required. Supplier very helpful and brilliant at colour matching for me. Finish is good, tough and durable. We have a car body shop next door to us who mainly work on high end motors and even they were complimentary about the product.

 

[diesel1]

So called red oxide nowadays is just a cheap crap primer, grey , red, its all the same.
Etch primer everytime.

 

[fergie35]

So called red oxide nowadays is just a cheap crap primer, grey , red, its all the same.
Etch primer everytime.

Red Oxide is and always has been a colour not a product. Red Lead was the rust proof primer, which is now banned, people seem to think red oxide was it's replacement.

Etch primer is porous, and only good for a base when needing to adhering to metals such as aluminium, plastic or stainless. needs covering asap otherwise it draws moisture through it and will rust quick (I've often left a part too long that got some etch primer overspray on it and ended up with a rusty part!)

Zinc primer is what professional outfits use on structural steel, fishing boats etc... I've been using it as a base coat for years without issue, one machine is now 15 years old and not a spec of rust on it. Can be bought in Red oxide colour, yellow or grey. Bonda primer is a popular brand.

 

[mikep]

Too much talk about different paints and chipping is often a bit of a red herring. Chipping is more often poor adhesion or excessive build up.
Plant is a barsteward for prep as it has had years of oil diesel and other pollutants contaminating the existing paint. A quick pressure wash and degrease is a short cut to disaster.
The only 100% way is to blast and acid wash but that is expensive.
Etch primer sometimes works but it's really meant for bare metal and FFS don't breath any, it's not cyanide but it rebores your sinuses pretty well.
Been out of the business for a while so there may be better primers but we used to get one from International paints that was specially for oil contaminated paint and it worked well (rumours it was a plastic primer) but don't use excessive coats or it will chip much more easily.
P.S. Tractors should be working tools in working clothes not bloody ornaments.

 

[fergie35]

Too much talk about different paints and chipping is often a bit of a red herring. Chipping is more often poor adhesion or excessive build up.
Plant is a barsteward for prep as it has had years of oil diesel and other pollutants contaminating the existing paint. A quick pressure wash and degrease is a short cut to disaster.
The only 100% way is to blast and acid wash but that is expensive.
Etch primer sometimes works but it's really meant for bare metal and FFS don't breath any, it's not cyanide but it rebores your sinuses pretty well.
Been out of the business for a while so there may be better primers but we used to get one from International paints that was specially for oil contaminated paint and it worked well (rumours it was a plastic primer) but don't use excessive coats or it will chip much more easily.
P.S. Tractors should be working tools in working clothes not bloody ornaments.

I think you correct about the excessive build up, I know it's clean, all down to bare metal and cleaned with panel cleaner, the zinc phosphate has adhered excellently! and doesn't budge it's the top coats that have chipped, I'm looking guilty of my coats being too thick I think. Will try thinner coats on the next project!

 

[Ray996]

I used to use vapormatic, but it doesnt seem to last .I changed to Kramp for the lorry cab, much better finish, and is lasting well ( lorry lives outside), but not quite sure of the shade, Vapormatic may be closer, everything is in Leyland light blue, using all paint, thinners etc from same manufacturer.

Used kramp orchid white on my 1490 and it dam near the old paint !