[AT] How do you clean your tractors?

[Jim and Lyn Evans]

I just got done restoring my Case SC this year.  I spent thousands on it -
probably more than $600 in paint materials alone.  I carefully took it to
its first show, along with a nicely restored 2 bottom plow.  After taking it
out to a open area with a nice background, I took several nice pictures of
it.  Then I went out and plowed with it.  Between the rain, dew, dust, dirt,
grease, and scratches on the drawbar, brake pedals, etc, it looked terrible
by the end of the weekend.   It washed up just fine when I got it home.
However, I didn't use the power washer on it since the paint was only a
couple days old.

I normally use a smaller (1800 psi) power washer to wash my stuff.  I use
Malco Red thunder degreaser, which is the best stuff to get oil, dirt, and
grease off of the tractors.  It has never harmed any of my paint.
http://www.malcopro.com/cgi-win/mselect.exe/1023  It is much better than
anything else I have found.    I don't worry too much about water hitting my
tractors.  I don't directly spray the mag or distributor or direct the power
washer at oil seals.  Those tractors used to set out in the rain and snow
for years, I don't think a little water from a garden hose is going to hurt
them.

Jim

-----Original Message-----
From: at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com
[mailto:at-bounces at lists.antique-tractor.com] On Behalf Of John Hall
Sent: Thursday, December 08, 2005 3:39 PM
To: Antique tractor email discussion group
Subject: Re: [AT] How do you clean your tractors?

When I painted my T-20 crawler we loaded it onto the trailer right from the
paint shop. I unloaded it right where I wanted to take pictures. Afterwards
I drove it back to the shop. Scuffs and scratches are something you have to
get over. There is a guy about 10 miles from here with 2 supposedly perfect
"Green Machines".  No one ever gets to see them because he will only drive
them in his asphalt driveway. I say get it dirty and scratched up but ENJOY
it. As for cleaning I use a Car wash type detergent. Dish soaps can hurt
your finish. Likewise for degreasers. You shouldn't be getting it so dirty
that you have to really use a lot of pressure to clean it. I just back off a
bit with the wand when I pressure wash. I always hand wash as much as
possible/practical.

John Hall 


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