Lessons I learned while restoring the "O"

[Loganvilledude]

I thought this little thread would help others now that I went through this project.

1. Take your time while painting. When I first started I was applying to many coats at once. What happened it the paint never dries and a month later it was still soft. Shoot it once let it dry shoot it again let it dry. Over and over again. My paint was purchased at Tractor Supply and for whatever reason the yellow has a lot of variation.
2. It is cheaper to buy a restored unit by a long shot, but you will get that bought feeling and now I have the "Built not Bought" title
3. A blast cabinet is the best tool I ever bought. Not only did it work out for the second half of this Cub project all of my restoration projects will have the bare metal treatment from now on.

4. When you pull all of the parts off leave the nuts and bolts attached to them. I noticed I did this on about half of the parts and it made it much easier than trying to figure out where they all went.

5. When painting the wheels with tires attached you will use a lot of tape. I mean rolls of the blue tape that comes off easy. I also used old newspaper after I put the blue tape down and wrapped the rest of the tire for no over-spray.

6. If your engine has been sitting for years and it cranks and cranks and cranks, but no fire pull the head off and loosen up the valves. As soon as I unstuck mine she starts every time.

7. A 12 pack box makes a nice and tight gasket if you cut it out properly. The upside is you get to enjoy your brew while making it

8. Finally two weeks ago when I got it back to the point of getting it running again my wife was out there with me. When it cranked up after several tries (new Carb Kit, dry system etc) and went putt, putt ,putt I believe she was happier than I was. She was really excited to see it all come together and it gave me the sense that getting the next Cub to restore is going to be pre-approved!

[Oak]

Nice job and thanks for the tips!

[zippy1]

[QUOTE=Loganvilledude;210668]I thought this little thread would help others now that I went through this project.

1. Take your time while painting. When I first started I was applying to many coats at once. What happened it the paint never dries and a month later it was still soft. Shoot it once let it dry shoot it again let it dry. Over and over again. My paint was purchased at Tractor Supply and for whatever reason the yellow has a lot of variation.


Your Original turned out well
But for the painting process you've described, I think it's just some poor paint. While painting you never want to let it dry completely between coats, or you'll be wet sanding every time you add a coat of paint, no thanks
First coat of paint should be your tack coat and apply from there until you get the coverage desired. With a good brand of paint, either rattle can or done with compressed air, one won't have the problem you had with the Tractor Supply paint.

[RR1862CC]

Good tips! When painting a wheel with tire mounted you can smear tire soap on the tire part and then paint away. After the paint dries take a hose and wash the soap off the tire and enjoy your work.

[ACecil]

Great job on the O, and thanks for sharing your tips with us!

[Yosemite Sam]

Sounds to me like zippy1 has done a little painting in the past.

[drhntrrmw]

Great work!
THANKS!!

[garrynok]

Good pointers and the O looks great!

[Alvy]

Great advice and great work as well. My favorite and most used tips are #'s 3, 4, and 7. And if you're doing too much of #7 you DEFINATELY need to do #4!!!!