The definitive word on PT Paint

smartguyz · Jul 7, 2003

Hi Guys -

My PT425 came to me (shipped via Overnite) with a lot of paint scuffed off of it. (Honestly, I think that PT should weld a couple of tie-downs on the tractor to avoid this whole thing - I suggested this to Terry - I also suggested they look into powder coating) They clearly used a whole bunch of tie-down straps during the 3000 mile journey from Tazewell, VA to Portland, OR. Well, anyway - the paint on several places is missing (The engine cover, sizes of the back, the rear panel, lots more - all the way down to bare metal), and I wanted to touch it up before rust started setting in.

A call to Terry confirmed that the green PT uses is "Sherwin Williams Fast-Drying Enamel, Color #F77G13, Sales Code #5010-04618) I called the local factory Sherwin Williams store, and spoke to a knowledgable rep. It is a standard "Equipment Green", available in 1 gallon and 5-gallon sizes. No rattle cans, however.

The only option for an exact match is to buy 1 gallon (at $28/gallon), and then put it in a can manually. This seems pretty excessive for some paint scuffs.

I am planning to try using some other green paint (I have a rattle can of John Deere Classic Green) that I have.

The point is, if you guys are planning a major repaint, this is the data you need, but if you are doing just minor touch-ups, it really isn't worth it unless we gang together and split up a bunch of little cans.

Thought you guys would like to know.

Sincerely,

Rob /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

SnowRidge · Jul 7, 2003

( "Sherwin Williams Fast-Drying Enamel, Color #F77G13, Sales Code #5010-04618) I called the local factory Sherwin Williams store, and spoke to a knowledgable rep. It is a standard "Equipment Green", available in 1 gallon and 5-gallon sizes. )

Good info. Thanks for digging it up.

( The only option for an exact match is to buy 1 gallon (at $28/gallon), and then put it in a can manually. This seems pretty excessive for some paint scuffs. )

Clearly you need more scuffs = more seat time = need for paint. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif 

SnowRidge

pajoube · Jul 7, 2003

Is there any other damage from shipping? What type of cost for shipping? Did you have a number of items besides the tractor shipped?
PJ

MossRoad · Jul 7, 2003

As soon as I read that post I figured you'd be asking some questions /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

smartguyz · Jul 8, 2003

Hi Pajoube,

Like MossRoad, I figured that those about to purchase might be concerned. Let me be perfectly clear. The tractor is in excellent condition. As others will attest, the damage is cosmetic only. From the way this PT425 is built, it is very difficult for you to damage it. MossRoad's website is dead-on. The sheet steel (note, no sheet metal here!) is extremely thick. EXTREMELY thick, and there was no physical damage to the various tractor components nor to the frame/chassis. Simply paint scuffing. Nonetheless, it seems to me that this kind of thing is perfectly avoidable, and correctable.

In fact, I spoke to Kristie about it some. She said "I can't control what the shipping companies do." I politely differed, and mentioned that with the hundreds of tractors they ship with these guys, they DO have control and influence over them. The guy with the bag of pennies has control. It is also easier to control at the onset, not after shipping has occurred. She and PT in general can force some small changes - no big deal here. I suggested to Kristie that if they want her business in the future, she can insist on some inexpensive precautions. For example, she can insist they use moving blankets on the places where they strap the tractor down. They can use heavy cardboard on the places where they strap down. PT can weld on some strapping hooks. They can put stickers showing the approved way to strap and pack, so that if the tractor gets transferred to another truck all will be well. Anyway, there are lots of options.

Pajoube, I would NOT hesitate on ordering due to these small cosmetic issues. The paint damage is perfectly repairable, and for someone adventurous, you could repaint the whole tractor with some really good paint. (No offense, but that's pretty whimpy paint on the PT) Those who are truly adventurous can powdercoat the whole thing. Believe me, after seeing some restoration work done by John Deere tractor owners (one guy zinc coated and powdercoated his ENTIRE 40-year-old garden tractor, after parting it out and sand blasting it down to the bare steel.)Check out his photos. You can easily touch up the damage.

For me, this is a TRACTOR . A really useful, purpose-built, super heavy-duty, well-designed and built one. A few scuff marks are inconsequential. Believe me, if this were a new Kubota or Deere, and they had strapped it like this, there would be broken plastic, shattered hoods, bent sheet metal, and more. In this case, I got a few paint scuffs, all of which are easily fixed so that it will look gorgeous. No problema.

So, did I type enough to lay your mind at ease? I really love this tractor. It has outperformed anything else I could have purchased, at a lower cost, and with higher utility than anything else I've been looking at (I have been shopping both Deere and Kubota - which are FINE tractors in their own right). I wouldn't blink to buy again.

Best to you,

Rob /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

SnowRidge · Jul 8, 2003

It's not all from shipping either. PTs don't exactly have a 'showroom finish' when they start out life at the factory. It's strictly utilitarian and saves them the cost of putting gas/diesel stickers by the tank fill. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif Sorry, inside joke there.

As Rob said--it's a tractor.

SnowRidge

pajoube · Jul 8, 2003

Great post, thanks for the feed back.
I have been leaning toward picking one up from the factory as I plan on being in that part of the country in September. Working on my attachment list as we speak.
PJ

pajoube · Jul 8, 2003

Getting tired of looking at all the fun others are having, time to buy.
Sold the house with closing the end of July. Move back to Montana starts the end of September. August and September will be vacation/travel months.
PJ

Charlie_Iliff · Jul 8, 2003

August and September will be vacation/travel months.


Tazewell on your itinerary? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

smartguyz · Jul 8, 2003

Oops - got so carried away with answering your first question I missed the others.

* Cost for shipping.

My shipping cost was $1285.00 through Overnite, for a total of around 3300 lbs. The equipment travelled from Tazewell, VA to Portland, OR, around 3000 miles. Given the amount of equipment, the cost of $0.38 per pound is not too shabby. Kristie also says they save money because they don't crate anything - they strap implements to skids, and strap the tractor to the bed of the box. But, you knew that part already. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

* Number of things shipped.

Hmmm. Well, I had them ship...

<ul type="square"> [*]PT425 in Industrial Green [*]Large Material Bucket [*]Small Dirt and Rock Bucket [*]48" Finish Mower [*]48" Brush Hog [*]48" Power Sweeper [*]30" Forks (MossRoad definitely spent our money on this one - I would NOT have purchased them without his input!) [*]Mini Hoe [*]Ramps (For ease of loading - why does PT always put this little phrase down on their description?) [/list]

*Whew*. A pretty long list, if you ask me.

Sincerely,

Rob /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif