Confusion over correct paint color MF 50

[MM in SC]

My 1958 MF 50 ser# CGM519195 with z134 ser# 670808 is solid red with no gray or silver. I thought someone spray painted it red but inside the engine and bell housing are red. The valve cover has never had red on it and looks like a light gold or dark silver. The gas tank and under the hood are red. While I have it apart I want to paint it as I go, but I am confused as to the original colors. I like the silver and red and all the MF 50's I have seen are that color scheme, but was mine different, or did someone go to a lot of trouble to change the color. When I degreased the engine it looked silver under the red but there was red inside the engine block:confused3:
Thanks
MM

 

[The kid]

Your tractor is painted probably the same colors as the later 100 series tractors. I looked up both the 35 and the 50 and they both had red painted fuel tanks. If you where to remove all the sheet metal, (fenders, hood, seat). You would be left with a silver tractor with either solid red front rims and silver and red rear. Rims. Many owners like the silver rims on the outer edge as in the later model years. MF sales a Ruby Red paint they use to paint tractors with. It's called MFRed. If you where to order it from the dealer It would say Ruby Red on the lid but MFRed on the label. The body used a special silver mix which had a tint of gold in it. It's call Flint Grey Metallic. These paints aquired from the dealer are enamel paint. Slow drying.

You can buy paint at TSC under the Majik name. Good paint if you apply it right. I used a reducer and hardener because I shot it with a HVLP gun. Have plenty of ventilation because adding hardener makes the vapors extremely toxic to your health. Be sure to use a high quality respirator and protect the skin area to a high degree.

The reducer is so you can spray it. The hardener speeds hardening time dramatically. It also improves the shine and durability. It would normally take days to harden. With hardener it only takes hours. Read the label directions for measurements needed.

Here are two scale models I found on the net of both the 35 and the 50. They continued the red in this fashion throughout the 100 series.



View attachment 361298



View attachment 361299

As you can see the fuel tank painted red. They went to silver at one point on the tank. Probably when the 100 series started.

 

[Ranchero50]

The red might have been an epoxy or just heavy filller primer to help keep oil from leaking through areas of the cast iron with porosity issues. My '58 MF50 is painted like the model only I had a couple layers of paint to get through.

I went with a brighter Rustoleum safety red rolled on with a 5" cabinet roller and it's held up pretty well.

 

[bucktaker]

inside the bellhousing is a red primer doesnt matter what the exterior color is. Massey-Harris 50's were gold and red.

mh 50 tractor - Yahoo Search Results

 

[MM in SC]

Thanks Kid for your detailed response. It really helped me out. I went and took a down on my knees, close up look at the rims on my tractor and there it was; a tiny patch of silver about the size of a dime. Looks like someone went to a great deal of trouble to paint it all red. As I put it back together, I'll go back with silver and red. Thanks for the instructions on mixing the paint. Looks like I have a lot of scrubbing and sanding to do.

 

[MM in SC]

Makes sense. Thanks

 

[The kid]

If you where to look inside the cavity of your tractor you will see red oxide paint on the inside. This is normal and correct.

 

[MM in SC]

If you where to look inside the cavity of your tractor you will see red oxide paint on the inside. This is normal and correct.

That's what was confusing me. I assumed ( which will always get you in trouble) that one spray did both inside and out.

 

[MM in SC]

Your tractor is painted probably the same colors as the later 100 series tractors. I looked up both the 35 and the 50 and they both had red painted fuel tanks. If you where to remove all the sheet metal, (fenders, hood, seat). You would be left with a silver tractor with either solid red front rims and silver and red rear. Rims. Many owners like the silver rims on the outer edge as in the later model years. MF sales a Ruby Red paint they use to paint tractors with. It's called MFRed. If you where to order it from the dealer It would say Ruby Red on the lid but MFRed on the label. The body used a special silver mix which had a tint of gold in it. It's call Flint Grey Metallic. These paints aquired from the dealer are enamel paint. Slow drying.

You can buy paint at TSC under the Majik name. Good paint if you apply it right. I used a reducer and hardener because I shot it with a HVLP gun. Have plenty of ventilation because adding hardener makes the vapors extremely toxic to your health. Be sure to use a high quality respirator and protect the skin area to a high degree.

The reducer is so you can spray it. The hardener speeds hardening time dramatically. It also improves the shine and durability. It would normally take days to harden. With hardener it only takes hours. Read the label directions for measurements needed.

Here are two scale models I found on the net of both the 35 and the 50. They continued the red in this fashion throughout the 100 series.



View attachment 361298




View attachment 361299

As you can see the fuel tank painted red. They went to silver at one point on the tank. Probably when the 100 series started.

Kid
I found " Flint Gray Metallic" at www.equipmentcolor.com and it was listed as a Minn.Moline color, but it looks like MF.
I also saw your post on another thread about the metallic particles and keeping them mixed while spraying. Was that an issue for you. I am spraying on the rough metal block and body. There seems to be an issue about industrial paint v AE paint.
Also, did you use a primer?
Thanks
MM

 

[The kid]

Yes sir, used a primer. Self etching does the job. Used rattle can for that. Silver is suspended in the paint and should be thoroughly mixed shortly before using it. It can be thinned and add a hardener unless you love to watch paint dry for a few days. The hardener will give it a nice shine too. When you shoot FGM paint it looks kind of rough while wet even well mixed. When it dries the metallic seems to flatten nicely giving an even finish. When I say flatten, I'm not speaking of the sheen.