Should I paint my valve?

[finchm]

I'm installing a stacked set of Prince SV valves on my tractor. Do I need to paint them? I'd rather not paint them if I can get away with it...

 

[Willl]

What color is rust ?

 

[RBA50]

NEED to paint them? No. SHOULD you paint them? Yes. (Unless you like rusty metal.)

 

[finchm]

Does anyone have tips on how to mask off and protect this valve when I spray paint on it?

What do I need to do so I don't mess this valve painting it?

 

[Piston]

I'm not sure if I ever updated my thread after painting my valve, but click the link in my sig and scroll to the end. I think I showed some pics of the rusty valve. I used it once and left the tractor out in the rain. It pretty much flash rusted and then I had to sand and wire wheel the whole valve with a tiny dremel wire wheel. It was a PIA!

You definitely should paint it. I sprayed mine with rust inhibitor, then two coats of primer, then 4 thin coats of kubota orange from my dealer. I masked off the valve very carefully as to only paint what I wanted to paint. I used cardboard and trash bags to block any (well, most) overspray.

If its a stack valve, and not all hooked up yet, it would be a lot easier to mask and paint.

 

[finchm]

I ended up painting it.

I talked with the folks at Prince as well. They suggested painting it also -- after it is assembled. They mentioned that they paint their other valves before they ship, but that they can't paint the stacked valves because it would mess up the mating surfaces.

 

[Piston]

Thanks for the follow up.

 

[finchm]

Picture of painted valve and mounting location.

 

[Willl]

4 valves ?, sweet.

 

[Piston]

Picture of painted valve and mounting location.
<img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=310474"/>

Nice! Looks like the identical setup as mine. It looks a lot "cleaner" with no hoses coming off it!