How do manufacturers paint tractor attachments?

[wwwfarmer]

I've done my first spray paint job recently. The steps I took were:

-wirebrushing surface rust
-wiping everything with a thinner to remove oil
-applying rust converter
-prime painting
-enamel cover painting

I must say, it took me a lot longer than I initially expected. That lead me to believe there must a better way of painting tractor implements. I just cant imagine folks at John Deer or Kubota spending hours and hours every day wiping huge implements with a thinner so that the paint will stick

I'd like to educate myself of alternatives, because I will be outsourcing it in the future and I need to pick the right approach. Is sand/bead blasting and powder coating a better option?

Thank you for taking your time and answering my question.

 

[5030]

OEM's use the least expensive, most cost efficient way.

 

[oosik]

I have several implements. Most are powder coated. A couple have "standard" high gloss enamel or something similar. I hate powder coating. Looks nice when new - flakes off under field use.

If I have rust that needs to be painted. Sand paper or steel wool down to bare metal. Wipe down area with appropriate cleaner. Prime with rattle can. Top coat with rattle can. Prime & top coat are usually enamel. Some times I will use latex.

Mine are implements that are used - not Cadillac's to be displayed.

 

[5030]

Same deal here. I don't much care for powder coat (low temp ceramic coating) either because it's brittle for one and very hard to overcoat. Looks good for a while but when it ages and gets spalled, it's almost impossible to touch up because of the very nature of it.

 

[Have tractor did travel]

Someone recently gave me a pulverizer. Reconditioning it included painting, and I agree with you - it took a long time. Tractor Supply's tractor colored paint from Rust-Oleum seems to be a stronger, more highly pigmented paint than regular Rust-Oleum

 

[5030]

You'll find that the Rustoleum is a perfect match for late model Kubota Orange II as well. Magic enamel is a dead match for early Kubota Orange I.

 

[Tinhack]

... Tractor Supply's tractor colored paint from Rust-Oleum seems to be a stronger, more highly pigmented paint than regular Rust-Oleum

And it actually dries in less than a year. I've been using a lot of that this year. Pretty good stuff for a rattle can. Previously, I wouldn't have painted my garbage cans with Rustoleum.

Coating technology changes every year. If it's good, the EPA will probably rule against it and it will have to change.

 

[CoyPatton]

Painting is one of those jobs that you get out of it what you put into it. It really matters not what you are painting, you get a better looking finish project based upon the prep work you do.
On exception to the above rule for me is if I am painting something that will be in a very abrasive environment. For instance, if painting the portion of an implement that ends up engaging the ground such as a plow. In my experience paint, primer, and even rust convertors do not hold up to the contact with any type of soil. Some are worse than others like sandy soils.
Personally if something like a plow is being painted, I usually hit it with a power washer to get the loose stuff and dirt off, then if any heavy rust spots I hit it with a wire brush, typically a wheel or cup brush on a power tool. Then another quick rinse with the power washer. Then a light coat of a rust convertor, followed by a self-etching primer (flat black) and done. This is usually a Fall project for me.

 

[TractorGuy]

Seems like more and more implement manufacturers are powder coating. I think it's a poor choice since it is brittle and chips easily.

I don't worry about what they look like. I will repaint and touch up to prevent rust. Ground engagement surfaces are a waste of time.

 

[nyone]

Well they are starting with new metal so they prob remove the oil and slag then just single stage paint them. I have also had bad luck with powder coating.

 

[PILOON]

I've noticed it acts like old style automotive undercoating did.
Flakes a bit and rust creeps under the skin staying trapped until a blister bursts leaving a pitted rusty area.

 

[Hay Dude]

I honestly believe they drag them outside, let a rust haze form on the metal, then let a very inexperienced person paint them with finger paints or maybe a mop if they have gradjimicated to master painter.
My Case backhoe hood lost all its paint and began to rust in 1 year. My Woods Batwing mower began losing paint in about a year.

 

[WranglerX]

Easiest way is to have item sand/media blasted and primer immediately.... The cost of media blast is way cheaper than you doing it your self when you apply a hourly rate to your time. yes you say your time is free, well it ain't true if you consider food, lodging, materials, and other work not getting done...

 

[bigtiller]

20 some years ago, Deere would paint disk gangs, trip assemblies for various ground engagement implements and a host of other small parts/assemblies that were hung on a conveyor line, with a hot water pressure wash and hot rinse and a chemical rinse somewhere in the mix. Then a quick hot blow dry and off to the paint booth where they would be dipped into a huge tank of black paint or a spray paint booth. Then into a long hot oven for drying.

When the conveyor line exited the oven they were sent to shipping warehouse.

 

[PILOON]

"Easiest way is to have item sand/media blasted and primer immediately.... The cost of media blast is way cheaper than you doing it your self when you apply a hourly rate to your time. yes you say your time is free, well it ain't true if you consider food, lodging, materials, and other work not getting done..."

About 12 years ago I bought a used blower.
Took it to a DIY sand blasting installation, did a complete blasting job, brought it home and immediately primed it with Tremclad primer.

Now 12 yrs later only the 'impacted parts', like fan and chute have lost paint. All the rest of that blower has retained the original finish.

I still, to this day, feel that the time invested back then was well worth it, helped in that the used buy was a good deal, especially since I got 12 years good service with many more to come since I recently changed all the bearings and did minor repairs.

 

[TractorGuy]

I bought a tiller last October and just for grins I wiped it down to get any dirt or oil off and sprayed the whole thing with Rustoleum clear. So far it looks pretty much like it did when I got it sans the tines and shaft.

 

[Wyobuckaroo]

"How Do Manufacturers Paint Implements"......

Some... Very badly... I have a China made box blade that looks like a job I would do with spray cans... It doesn't matter as it does the work I need it to do, and I don't require keeping things "show room" sparkle...

The things I have built and painted that stayed the nicest the longest.. I did power wire brush, or sanding disk cleaning.. Wipe down with alcohol, paint thinner, brake cleaner on a rag.. Painted with implement enamel using a cheap throw away brush.. It seems it takes a long time to dry to a hard finish.. Longer for the drips, and brush marks to dry..

Pretty much the same procedure for used equipment...

It doesn't look bad from a distance.. And is much better protected than with no attention at all..

That is all I require..

 

[JM7500]

The DH Atlas rotary cutter and box blade I got new in March are losing the paint. The rotary cutter is losing paint on top of the deck and store it inside a shed. I expect it to lose paint on the sides when it rubs everything. My DH Sunshine grapple, also stored inside, is showing rust in a few spots around the hinges. Paint left the contact surfaces the first time I used it, but that is to be expected.

 

[fried1765]

You'll find that the Rustoleum is a perfect match for late model Kubota Orange II as well. Magic enamel is a dead match for early Kubota Orange I.

"Magic" paint is junk!

 

[fried1765]

I honestly believe they drag them outside, let a rust haze form on the metal, then let a very inexperienced person paint them with finger paints or maybe a mop if they have gradjimicated to master painter.
My Case backhoe hood lost all its paint and began to rust in 1 year. My Woods Batwing mower began losing paint in about a year.

Implement manufacturers don't "paint"!
They just spray color on their implements, to make them look shiny going out the door!