to spray can or air gun
 

I was wondering what you folks do to paint your parts and tractor. Spray bottle or air gun? I see spray bottle might get the job done faster but it never fails to leave some runs. Air gun is great but then you have to clean the gun real good afterwards.

What colors do I use for the cub and what is a good primer?

Thanks,
Nate

Nate I'm going to let the paints guide you on which way to paint your 1650 but here's a link to the paint codes via serial numbers.

http://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/showthread.php?t=19

Using a gun and decent paint will be more expensive, but will give you a much better and more durable finish. Cleaning the gun is not an issue...the amount of time it takes compared to the prep work required to have a nice paint job is minimal. Painting is about 50% prep work, 35% paint/applicator quality, and 15% skill. Regardless of whether you use spray cans or $100/quart top-of-the-line auto paint, if the prep work is not done well, the end result will be horrible.

Spray cans are quick like you say, but have minimal resistance to UV damage and gas/oil resistance. Paint sprayed with a gun and hardener is more durable and dries harder, and will also be shinier if you use the high-gloss hardener. It would also take many spray cans to apply a decent amount of paint. I painted a 100 a couple years ago, and it took 1.5 quarts of yellow because yellow covers pretty bad. I don't want to know how many spray cans that would have been. A tractor with fenders would have taken even more paint.

Natt, I am with Matt G. on this one. Prep work is the key to a great paint job. The 1250 puller I am currently building already has at least 100 buck in primer and paint using spray cans.

Does anyone have a resource for a good "beginners" guide to painting and paint prep. I am new to this whole painting idea, and will hopefully be painting one of my 102s this summer. Problem is I really don't know where to start with prep'ing everything.

Could I find the paint at any of my local farm dealers?

Thanks for the link. But in the link there is nothing about primers. I probably will paint by air gun. I painted a car once and turned out decent. :beer2:

I found out that any Case dealer supplies cub cadet paints. I'll give them a call today.

Yellow and white are both colors that really brighten up when sprayed over a light colored base. If you use a light color primer sealer directly under the topcoat it will take less paint to cover.. If you spray over red oxide it will take a bunch of coats to hide fully.

Spray gun will give a thicker film, and a better job in most cases. That said, spray cans do work if you take your time. Even a foam roller will work.

Hardener is a nice thing but can be really bad for your lungs....Gotta use a quality mask, if you do it regularly an air supplied mask. It is one of those cumulative things....and when you develop sensitivity to it it is too late.

Nathan - here's a link for you. http://www.onlycubcadets.net/forum/s...ead.php?t=7790