Track coating

mtncrawler · October 05, 2006, 05:08:31 PM

I painted my tracks the same yellow as the rest of the machine but now they are yellow and rust which looks ugly. I've seen some pictures of machines with flat black tracks that look better. Are you guys just using oil based paint or is there something better?

walter hudson · October 06, 2006, 01:57:21 AM

Alot of people use a rustoleum type black on the tracks. It does not really harden so it will not chip off as bad .
Walter

Blake Malkamaki · October 06, 2006, 02:38:09 AM

Unless your tracks are like new and you can get a good paint adhesion, and you live in a dry climate, I doubt you will ever get paint to hold up well on tracks. The rust will always come through.

Maybe you can mix up some black paint with Penetrol? The Penetrol will make the paint soak into the rust. Or just some black paint with some kerosene in it.

What you probably want to end up with is a tarry substance that will stick good. Dirt will probably stick to this kind of paint though.

Blake

John D · October 06, 2006, 09:49:06 PM

Quote from: "mtncrawler"I painted my tracks the same yellow as the rest of the machine but now they are yellow and rust which looks ugly. I've seen some pictures of machines with flat black tracks that look better. Are you guys just using oil based paint or is there something better?

Great question! I've been thinking about having to deal with that subject as I go forward with my restoration. Since I am not making a museum piece but a nice working tractor, my idea to deal with that problem is to mask the tracks and leave them unpainted. Then the rust won't be emphasized. Just my $0.02, for whatever it's worth.

Nick C. · October 30, 2006, 04:17:36 PM

John, nice seat on your crawler signature picture! Is that homemade or is there a source for this fine looking throne? It is on an HG/OC-3, correct?

John D · November 01, 2006, 03:28:13 AM

Quote from: "Nick C."John, nice seat on your crawler signature picture! Is that homemade or is there a source for this fine looking throne? It is on an HG/OC-3, correct?

Thanks!

The seat is from an AG-6. I bought the frame from Zimmerman's - it was pretty rough, but better than the schoolbus seat that came on my tractor!!!

The metal work and paint came out pretty good. I made the cushions and upholstered them myself. SOMEDAY it will get bolted back on my tractor. I've got a bunch more work to do on the chassis before that happens.

Blake Malkamaki · November 01, 2006, 04:18:07 AM

Quote from: "John D"SOMEDAY it will get bolted back on my tractor. I've got a bunch more work to do on the chassis before that happens.

I bet you have that seat in your living room now John :wink:

Blake

John D · November 02, 2006, 01:31:08 AM

Quote from: "Blake"
Quote from: "John D"SOMEDAY it will get bolted back on my tractor. I've got a bunch more work to do on the chassis before that happens.

I bet you have that seat in your living room now John :wink:

Blake

It actually would be a lot more comfortable than the chair at my computer desk at home. Now, you've really got me thinking...

Then I can get a WAV file of the tractor running, and run a video of it plowing up the field. With a few mouse clicks I could have a VIRTUAL CLETRAC... Shoulda thought of that sooner.

Blake Malkamaki · November 02, 2006, 01:50:07 AM

Quote from: "John D"If I were to take the 5-leg roller base off the computer chair, and bolt it up to the Cletrac seat.... Hmmm. Could be really cool! Then I can get a WAV file of the tractor running, and run a video of it plowing up the field. With a few mouse clicks I could have a VIRTUAL CLETRAC... Shoulda thought of that sooner.

Great idea!