The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop BPS Question - Another tractor Paint --- Sorry!

Can anyone who has used the Tractor Supply BPS Tractor Enamel or Truck and Trailer enamel with the Valspar hardener tell me how long to wait before wetsanding and polishing? Stuff is laying out good with just a brush, but I'm wondering if the application would be easier and faster with the high density foam rollers. I know several folks here have used this paint and painted their Bolts with this or other oil-based enamels. After painting my bumpers with the Tractor Enamel, I decided to try a quick paint job on my 56 using this paint and technique. For those who are purists, just remember that this technology is much closer to original than the super glossy BC/CC jobs. After all, it is a daily driver and I want to spend my real effort and time in getting my 42 finished. I'm not worrying about bangin' dents out or getting a perfect surface, just looking for a 10 footer that I won't cry over when it gets scratched or chipped.

I'm also interested in any information on using these materials. I'm planning on spraying and there's no way I'm spending a grand on paint, and the wet look doesn't interest me either.

Clint/Woody,
I've used tractor paint quite a bit on trailers, frames, my daily driver and my 4t6. I've had good luck! But I sprayed mine. My 4t6 was painted awhile ago and I've yet to wet sand and buff. I did do the glovebox wet and gingerly with wet 600, then 1000 and 1500. I haven't buffed as yet but looks nice. Here is a picture of the ingredients and if you follow thru webshots you can see the progress. My daily driver here. I like tractor paint although I know there is lots of folks here who don't. Have fun and good luck in whatever route you take. If you need anything else from me let me know!
Dan

Hey Dan,

Can you give us some basic pointers as to what mixture you used, air pressures... just a simple overview of the process of using the enamel with the hardener? The last time I sprayed any enamel was 35 years ago and we didn't use any hardener... we used a slow drying thinner and thinner and thinner mixes to get it to flow, but man that takes experience to avoid runs so I'm hoping this hardener thing is more like spraying acrylic lacquer.

Back in my day enamel was not wetsanded and buffed... it just never got hard enough, but acrylic lacquer we sanded with 600 and polished... I'm hoping today's process is a happy medium between the two.

OK. Spent yesterday out in the shop painting Jeb. Paint Brush and roller. Liked the brush better. Used Gloss White Tractor Paint (BPS) with Valspar Hardener as per directions for the white trim and Hunter Green in BPS Truck and Trailer Paint, alos with Valspar Hardener. Gloss is outstanding this morning. Yes, I have some sags and some brush marks, but from 10 feet, it is stunning. Down the road, I can wetsand it and buff and it will look awesome. Should be able to get it to a five footer without any problem. Still have the grill and light surrounds to paint. Will get to that this afternoon, then shoot and post some pictures.

Did not bother doing a lot of bodywork. This is a daily driver. Looks good enough now that the wife is anxious to ride in it, rather than being embarassed about it sitting in the carport. I call that progress.

BTW, a while back I bought a Central Pneumatic orbital air sander. It is short stroke and cost about $150, but for wetsanding it cannot be beat. It is sealed bearings and does not require daily oiling.

As to the runs, sags and brush strokes, I've gotten just as bad, or worse results shooting PPG Acrylic Enamel (Delstar, I think) on the wifes 67 convertible a couple of years ago. Orange peel was much worse though as I was using a turbine spray system that heated the air far too much, even for the slowest reducer. Point is, screw-ups in any paint, and I've shot most everything PPG makes, can almost always be sanded and buffed out.

I call this a success! Did not get overspray all over the shop and my 42. My lungs are clear. It was quick and relatively painless and it serves my wants and needs quite well. Would I recommend this on a cruiser or show vehicle. No. But to spruce up a daily driver --- certainly. BTW, did spend more that $50. More like $100 with all the materials, new brushes, thinner, foam rollers, tape, etc., but still have many items left over to use on other projects. Heck, I still have over a quart of the Hunter Green. Think I'll paint the little trailer I bought that goes with my 56. It is an old shortbed converted to a trailer.

More this afternoon or evening. Got to go preach the Gospel! God Bless.

Just posted pictures on this forum entitled "New Paint on 56 TF"