This will be the first tractor here that I will have painted.
The trailer manufacturer I frequent, has been fabulous about doing paint and body work for all of my iron.
This D4 needs better fenders and fuel tank, which I will eventually source. They will sand and sandblast whatever needs be, and likely spray it with Axalta with a good hardener. “Old CAT yellow” of course!
I am open for any advice. The painter is building a towable cart to move it around from the blasting booth to the spray booth, rather than start it up and mark up their property. I’m guessing they will sandblast, then acid wash and bake dry prior to final paint preparation.
If I had more time, it would have received a starter for the main, but can always be done later. No such thing as a perfect item here!
After painting, it gets everything bolted back in place and probably parked! JM

I can't to wait to see it, hopefully in Tulare next year?
I may have a tank for you and possibly some good fenders. I have a couple of complete parts machines but need to look them over when I get back home later today. I'm assuming you want the stock size tank?
CrawlerAddict

I am glad you're project is Kitty Cat approved.

JM I have to ask are you going to use industrial IMRON , I have used a lot of it and I love it nice finish and it last a longtime, that little D4 will be a standout prettier than new!! PS I have the IMRON paint number for old Cat yellow. 17a

Sounds like someone will be showing up with a new pair of “work clothes” to the next tractor outing… nice.

is it true 2 pack or just enamel with enamel hardener additive.

the process is blast clean, wash down to remove blast residues, then prime preferably with a etch primer, then dust it down, then topcoat.

i prefer enamel with hardener additive over proper 2 pack as it tends to be more flexible and less likely to crack if you hit something its also about half the price of 2 pack.

Ray54 wrote:

I am glad you're project is Kitty Cat approved.
***I like that young barn kitty, unfortunately one of my gal friends likes dogs more than cats and named it GT, short for "General Tso" the chicken dish you find in some asian diners! LOL talk about warped humor. JM***
 

This particular D4 is the candidate here most likely needing a major facelift. Previous owner did an engine overhaul and new UC sans the tracks pads (fugly). I did the internals several years ago. The side curtains were made by our dearly departed friend Scott Flint, and purchased from Tractor Don before we were friends. Easy to say that I have some memories with this old gal; I will make her better as time warrants. It does run nice and perform well, cosmetics lacking...
My 1959 D4 will christen their new paint booth in February. JM

JM, The Caterpillar Yellow Primer sealer is good stuff and reasonably cheap to spray on the tractor after it's sandblasted. I've used that stuff for many years. One of my pull graders I did in 1998 has been outside in the weather since with no major rust showing. I did topcoat with the old CAT HI-WAY Yellow with the good stuff in there,"Lead"
Another pull grader I have, I sandblasted it in 1999 but didn't have time to prime so I painted it with some "Leaded" Gray acrylic enamel with hardener. That one shows some light surface rust mainly because trying to paint gray paint over sandblasted metal is a PITA and that's were my surface rusting is. It does give it a nice patina though.