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Unrestoring paint

Discussion in 'The Antiquated' started by Deere boy, May 20, 2025.

  1. Deere boy
    Joined: Jul 25, 2018
    Posts: 78

    Deere boy

    The old saying that "they are only original once" is not true anymore, at least not in the tractor game, where many tractors that were restored, often badly, 30 or 40 years ago, are now being brought back to original-before painting condition. I would like to do this with an old Deere that was painted about 50 years ago with what appears to be a bucket of farm store paint and a broom. Can any of you recommend any resources as far as books, youtube videos or anything else on how to accomplish this?
    Would like to have the tractor end up looking more like this when done.
    Thanks
     

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  2. FrozenMerc
    Joined: Sep 4, 2009
    Posts: 3,326

    FrozenMerc
    Member

    Sand blast it clean, and then let it set out in the rain, preferably near a large body of salt water for some period of time. It will look rusty again in no time.

    Seriously, why go through all that effort and not repaint it properly to restore it to look like it did when it left the factory???
     
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  3. Deere boy
    Joined: Jul 25, 2018
    Posts: 78

    Deere boy

    It's a new trend. I think that a lot of car restorers think that an early auto is more interesting with original patina than a high gloss paint job.
     
    Okie Pete likes this.
  4. Plow a couple hundred acres with it
     
  5. Deere boy
    Joined: Jul 25, 2018
    Posts: 78

    Deere boy

    Actually, you use peroxide and vinegar. That much I know.
     
    Okie Pete likes this.
  6. FrozenMerc
    Joined: Sep 4, 2009
    Posts: 3,326

    FrozenMerc
    Member

  7. What do you think the framer who used it in the field every day would have done?
     
    guthriesmith, Okie Pete and oldsmobum like this.
  8. I’ve been attending antique tractor and gas engine shows for at least 60 years, and “restored” is where it’s at. If it’s not in original condition, trying to make it look unrestored is not going to work…
     
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  9. twenty8
    Joined: Apr 8, 2021
    Posts: 3,412

    twenty8
    Member

    So..... you want to reverse an old paint job to go back to a "done today" fake original pre-painted version of what you are calling patina....??? And you want to do this on a tractor?:confused:

    My opinion? The only original ones are the original ones.....:rolleyes:;)
     
  10. partsdawg
    Joined: Feb 12, 2006
    Posts: 3,841

    partsdawg
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Minnesota

    Trends come and go.
    I try my best not to follow them.
     
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  11. A Boner
    Joined: Dec 25, 2004
    Posts: 8,043

    A Boner
    Member

    I would, in an inconspicuous area, use some paint stripper, to check if they painted over the rusty/patina original surface or if they sanded/sandblasted prior to brushing on the paint you want to remove. If the surface under “new” paint is actually rust/patina…you are lucky, just continue paint stripper job. If there is no rust/patina under the “new” paint…you are out of luck…but could try blocking out the brushed finish, to level it out somewhat, so it looks more like an original factory spray job!
     
    Last edited: Jul 20, 2025
    Okie Pete likes this.
  12. Okie Pete
    Joined: Oct 29, 2008
    Posts: 5,896

    Okie Pete
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    A friend of mine restores two cylinder John Deere’s . He takes the tractors completely apart. Every nut and bolt is cleaned. Everything is primed, assembled and painted. The final product looks better than what Deere rolled out of the factory.
    Take a cloth rag soaked in paint thinner and lay on the paint in a hidden spot. Leave it for a while remove the rag .See if that’s the look you’re going for .
     
  13. guthriesmith
    Joined: Aug 17, 2006
    Posts: 11,419

    guthriesmith
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    1. H.A.M.B. Chapel

    Pretty sure that old saying of "They are only original once" still applies whether it is a car or a tractor. :rolleyes: Anything other than that is fake as best I know. I get the trend, but as mentioned, also try to avoid trends since they come and go. From what I have seen, trying to fake patina takes about as much work as just making something nice. I have considered restoring my tractor to make it nice. But, then I would have to be careful with it. So, I'll probably just keep using it with the multiple colors of flaking paint. :D
     
    down-the-road and Okie Pete like this.
  14. trevorsworth
    Joined: Aug 3, 2020
    Posts: 1,948

    trevorsworth
    Member

    Strip it, paint it with tractor paint and put it to work. It will develop a real patina very soon.
     

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