The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Enamel Paint

I was checking out the paint section at Tractor Supply and it got my wheels turning. Is the enamel paint they sell worth it? At $30 buck a gallon it sure is tempting. I've been to quite a few tractor shows and the old Farmalls and Olivers do look nice in the sun. Is there any extra prep? Does the fact that it is oil based screw you if you want to repaint later? My old 54 would sure look good with Oliver Meadow Green paint instead of the baby poop GM sprayed on it.

This is a much debated topic. There is nothing "wrong" with that paint but it takes skill to apply and is perhaps the least durable of all finishes. However, that is by today's standards. When your truck was new it was painted with oil based enamel and a good enamel job will easily last 20 years.

Unless you are a skilled painter, that enamel could cause you problems. It has to be applied in just the right way so that it' goes on wet enough to flow out smooth but not so wet that it runs.

You might want to consider an acrylic enamel a Urethane from a place like THIS if you are on a budget.

As far as prep work, regardless of what paint you use, it is no better than the prep work. Enamel will bond to any clean dry surface that's been sanded with 400 grit.

I've even used Rust-O-Leum to paint with. It can be sprayed by thinning it 30% with either their thinner or mineral spirits. Main thing is don't be in a hurry to apply it all at once. I usually shoot on a tack coat first. This coat doesn't completely cover the panel, you can still see some of the primer showing through. I usually let it "flash" (dry) for about 15-20 minutes. This allows it to become tacky for the next coat. Then I shoot a 2nd and usually a third coat of color on allowing the same 15-20 minutes between coats. As Woody said you have to apply your coat 'wet" so each pass will flow into the next.... John

Many of the farm equipment manufacturers offer their paints in an acrylic enamel which is close to the farm supply store in price but better in quality.

Whats to debate?
Regular enamel is cheaper but fades out in no time. I painted a Disc with it cause I dont care if it fades but for all the prep work and time I've decided to use acrylic enamel even if its just one of my tractors.
There are places to get it without spending what an auto paint supplier will charge.
I shot an old gas pump with enamel and if I wax it often it shines but now I wish I had used acrylic.
Dan

This is simply not true. Oil based enamel does not inherently fade, pigments fade - regardless of what they are mixed with. Properly maintained an enamel paint job will easily last 20 years, longer if you keep the car under cover. Other kinds of paint are more durable in terms of chip resistance and easier to apply.

There is a guy with a garage kept '57 chevy with 30k original miles that shows up at car shows around here and the paint on that car is in excellent condition.

Gosh Woody I'm not really concerned with what actually fades but if it looks dull in no time whats the difference.
And you point out the key to a lasting finish by saying properly maintained and garage kept.
Indoors is not a problem, I was talking about enamel paint on something that has to be left out in the sun or at least gets a bunch of sun exposure.
Are you trying to convince me to use straight enamel over acrylic.
Its just been my experience with the two types that acrylic will last longer with less work, and I do have some stuff painted with enamel that looks great after years,but then it seldom goes outside.
From here on in I'm keepin my mouth shut on paint.
Dan

Not at all.

Acrylic enamel is a better product, more durable and requires less maintenence. For the few extra dollars more it's the obvious enamel choice and when you consider that for just a few more dollars you can go with a urethane from a place like THIS you begin to qustion the wisdom of enamel all together.

But if you are on a penny-counting budget, oil based enamel (BPS) is more than adequate. Keep it waxed and it won't dull on you. Back in the day, waxing a car was something you just did like tune-ups, changing oil or balancing tires. It was simply one of the accepted responsibilities of keeping a car/truck looking and running good.

The best buy for tractor paint is the synthetic enamel. This can be bought right from the tractor dealer ship. This paint with a paint hardner works great. This paint will hold it's color and will out shine any tractor syply three to one.
Also the paint job is only as good as the surface it's sprayed on. A surface that's been sanded down to bare metal, etch primer and primer with a nice sanded surface will give you the best results.

Thanks for the info. I'm still a long way from any paint job. Just needing something to chew on.

ive been playing with old tractors for years. most of those old tractors have either base clear or urethane paint on them last one
i did had over 400 bucks worth of primer and paint on it. philip

Valspar tractor and implement enamel claims to be "fade resistant". That's what it says on their literature, anyway.

I painted my 4t6 using these BPS paints a couple of years ago and the paint looks pretty good.....However the truck hasn't gotten out of the garage yet!!! LOL Have fun and good luck!
Dan