Low-Tech Restore of 1440 Complete - Page 3

crcieslak · #21 11-28-2012, 02:43 PM

I also have 1440. I had a lot of work done to it this year and only have to repaint it now to complete the restoration. What did you use on your hood and side panels to get them looking that good? Did you take the machine completely apart, because it looks awesome. Job well done.

dsmithjr · #22 11-29-2012, 07:47 AM

Great job! looks factory fresh

ccguy · #23 11-29-2012, 10:00 PM

Thanks crcieslak & dsmithjr:

The plastic panels were pretty stained and scratched up...and I was looking at a replacement cost of $500 for plastic! Not having anything to lose, I took off the panels and thoroughly cleaned them then reattached them to the machine. Here was the process:

1. Remove decals (they were shot anyways)
2. Using a Porter Cable 7424 buffer and a Lake Mfg. "Orange" pad, I buffed out starting with 3M Rubbing Compound applying a fair amount of pressure but always moving the machine slowly.
3. Next, using a Lake Mfg. "Orange" pad, I buffed out everything with 3M Polishing Compound applying a fair amount of pressure but always moving the machine.
4. Next, using a Lake Mfg. "Blue" pad, and McGuires Cleaner Wax, I buffed/burnished the wax into the panels.
5. Finally, using a new soft microfiber cloth, I hand polished the hood and side panels taking off the wax residue. They looked as if they had just been molded. No scratches, no stains, no swirl marks. I was so surprised it forced me to raise the bar on all the metal work! (as an aside, my neighbors think I'm absolutely crazy, they work on their choppers/muscle cars/boats/F-150's/Lexus's and I spend time working on my 18 year old CC! My wife says I have a "lawn mower issue"...I tell her it's a Garden Tractor!)

I'm just not interested at all in today's' products...which all look like they came from the AYP assembly line. But these old CC's are just so stout, heavy and by today's standards so over built, it's like comparing an ox to a pony. I sought a 1440 as it was the last of the CCC/MTD products still with some IH DNA left in it. I lucked out with a 1994 model (last year of the metal transmission tunnel).

The engine and drive train stayed on the frame. Everything else came off.

ccguy
1994-1440

TheIHMan · #24 11-29-2012, 10:11 PM

Nice looking Cub! You did a great job on it!

rwairforce · #25 11-30-2012, 10:22 AM

CCGUY,
Thanks for the information. You may have inspired me to at the minimum redo my plastic. I felt the same as you related. I had been using a 149 (I still have it) and I went to the dealer for new blades.....well I looked at the new units on the floor and told the dealer that none of them could hold a candle to my 149. He said that he had a great update for me that wasn't a lawn tractor and he introduced my to the 1440.
It was a brute sitting next to all the new lawn tractors and it looked good. You know the look, sitting on a showroom floor just inviting you to look it over and to sit on it and imagine all the use for the many years to come. I mentioned at that very instant that I was a little concerned about all the plastic but after all these years the plastic is still in one piece.
Anyway, my visit to the dealer for a new set of blades ended up costing me nearly $4,000 for a new 1440. As much as I like the way your 1440 looks, I'm not sure I want to wash away all the history that I have on mine.....