Paint Question for AC720
Printed From: Unofficial Allis
Category: Allis Chalmers
Forum Name: Farm Equipment
Forum Description: everything about Allis-Chalmers farm equipment
URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=207618
Printed Date: 02 Aug 2025 at 10:59pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Paint Question for AC720
Posted By: Oldwrench
Subject: Paint Question for AC720
Date Posted: 31 Jul 2025 at 7:55am
| I thought I would ask this question on the general forum rather than a PM, as it might be of general interest. In your posts with pictures of your various D series tractors, you've done a beautiful job on their restoration and painting. Your paint work is outstanding. I am hoping to finally get ready to go through my D17IV this winter with a thorough strip and paint, after having gotten all the mechanical work completed that it needed. I was wondering if you could share what type of paint you use, and your general procedures? I am a total amateur in terms of painting, but keep reading and learning. I am hoping to avoid air-supply suits and special paint booths that the modern paints require. I think that would mean a simple acrylic enamel, with a good quality carbon filter respirator. What paint system are you using on your tractors? They sure look good, and the PO2 color is just about perfect. |
Replies:
Posted By: AC720Man
Date Posted: 31 Jul 2025 at 10:20pm
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I only use PPG single stage. It sprays smooth and I’m not sure why but I’ve had really good luck spraying it right from the beginning when I had very little experience. Nothing fancy, Harbor Freight HPLV spray gun, the purple one. Less than $20. My buddy has a farmers paint booth, closed in a 12x30 part of his hay shed. Concrete floor, OSB walls painted white with angle lighting about 8’ off the floor. On one end there are 2-20”x20” fresh air vents with a filter. At the other end is a double fan sucking air/paint fumes out. I usually wear a white paper paint suit and dual filter paint respirator also sold at Harbor Freight. Always make sure the room is clean and I spray the floor with water to prevent any dust from getting in the paint when I’m spraying. Good prep work is necessary to get a nice job. The paint job will only turn out as good the hard work that you put into it. I sand blast all my sheet metal, also the entire tractor years ago outside until I started using a air powered needle scaler. Works great on cast, the frame and wheels. Do not use on sheet metal! I do all my own body work if possible, but a really good friend of mine(ACMutt)helps me when I need it. He has also given me painting advice over the years. Started painting my own tractors and garden tractors about 12 years ago. Patience is key, my 190XT, and my D17 Diesel were12 month projects including repairs. I repair, rebuild, or replace anything that needs it. I like to take them to events to show but they get worked on the farm as well. Especially during hay season. ------------- 1968 B-208, 1976 720 (2 of them)Danco brush hog, single bottom plow,52" snow thrower, belly mower,rear tine tiller, rear blade, front blade, 57"sickle bar,1983 917 hydro, 1968 7hp sno-bee, 1968 190XTD |
Posted By: AC720Man
Date Posted: 31 Jul 2025 at 10:40pm
      ------------- 1968 B-208, 1976 720 (2 of them)Danco brush hog, single bottom plow,52" snow thrower, belly mower,rear tine tiller, rear blade, front blade, 57"sickle bar,1983 917 hydro, 1968 7hp sno-bee, 1968 190XTD |
Posted By: 55allis
Date Posted: 31 Jul 2025 at 10:45pm
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How do you spray upside down? I always seem to miss or have a thin patch when I paint under the tractors… ------------- 1955 AC WD45 diesel with D262 repower, 1949 AC WD45 |
Posted By: AC720Man
Date Posted: 31 Jul 2025 at 10:49pm
Forgot to add, I spray green etching primer. Prevents rust and gives the paint a good base to stick to. Usually 3 coats of paint to make sure everything is covered well and to have a nice deep shine. Just a few of my projects. ------------- 1968 B-208, 1976 720 (2 of them)Danco brush hog, single bottom plow,52" snow thrower, belly mower,rear tine tiller, rear blade, front blade, 57"sickle bar,1983 917 hydro, 1968 7hp sno-bee, 1968 190XTD |
Posted By: AC720Man
Date Posted: 31 Jul 2025 at 11:06pm
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Honestly, lay down on my back. Also on my knees when I come up from the bottom of the tractor at an angle. Just have to angle the paint gun anyway possible to get paint where you need it. Not easy to do at times. The last picture was of some of my 190 parts, just showing how parts get hung. That picture was 9 years ago, since then, new fans have been moved to the end of the room instead of the side. ------------- 1968 B-208, 1976 720 (2 of them)Danco brush hog, single bottom plow,52" snow thrower, belly mower,rear tine tiller, rear blade, front blade, 57"sickle bar,1983 917 hydro, 1968 7hp sno-bee, 1968 190XTD |
Posted By: AC720Man
Date Posted: 01 Aug 2025 at 7:09am
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I’ve seen a few guys that spray their tractors outside in temporary paint booths covered in plastic or an outside shed with clear plastic as walls. However you do it ventilation is most important for your health. Have a way for clean air in vapors out. Without a room you risk the possibility of insects and dirt getting in the paint. Even in a room that is always a possibility but less likely. ------------- 1968 B-208, 1976 720 (2 of them)Danco brush hog, single bottom plow,52" snow thrower, belly mower,rear tine tiller, rear blade, front blade, 57"sickle bar,1983 917 hydro, 1968 7hp sno-bee, 1968 190XTD |
Posted By: Oldwrench
Date Posted: 01 Aug 2025 at 8:38am
| Again, really nice work. For the record, could you provide the PPG paint code or product number for the PO2 paint? I think the color is spot on in all of your pictures. Do you use hardener with it? |
Posted By: AC720Man
Date Posted: 01 Aug 2025 at 11:25am
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I will get you a picture later this afternoon . Paint, hardener, thinner. 8-1-1 mix rate in that order. ------------- 1968 B-208, 1976 720 (2 of them)Danco brush hog, single bottom plow,52" snow thrower, belly mower,rear tine tiller, rear blade, front blade, 57"sickle bar,1983 917 hydro, 1968 7hp sno-bee, 1968 190XTD |
Posted By: AC720Man
Date Posted: 01 Aug 2025 at 9:01pm
First off, according to my PPG dealer, some pigments that make up PO2 orange are not available anymore. Not sure if that’s correct so I took a part off my XT that was PPG PO2 from 2018. Computer scanned and they came up with Range Rover red. Personally I think it needs more orange tint to it but it has grown on me.  p------------- 1968 B-208, 1976 720 (2 of them)Danco brush hog, single bottom plow,52" snow thrower, belly mower,rear tine tiller, rear blade, front blade, 57"sickle bar,1983 917 hydro, 1968 7hp sno-bee, 1968 190XTD |
Posted By: 55allis
Date Posted: 01 Aug 2025 at 9:22pm
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Isn’t Chevy orange close to p2? Btw nice work on the tractor!!! ------------- 1955 AC WD45 diesel with D262 repower, 1949 AC WD45 |
Posted By: Oldwrench
Date Posted: 02 Aug 2025 at 8:08am
| Thanks for the paint information. I get overwhelmed reading about the myriad of paint formulations and choices, so it's good to have a solid recommendation for something that has worked for them. I guess the only question is if the color of the new formulation would look too reddish on a full tractor, compared to the pictures of your older restorations. I would think a difference in color on a smaller part wouldn't be noticeable, whereas a full tractor color might really jump out at you. I wonder if anyone on the forum has tried the PPG "Range Rover Red" on an entire tractor, and how they liked it? |
Posted By: AC720Man
Date Posted: 02 Aug 2025 at 11:03am
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My D17 is entirely that color. Painted it last year and I just purchased more paint for my D14 project. I’m happy with it, I’ve had a lot of good compliments on it and I have never had anyone doubt its PO2. The more coats of paint you put on the deeper and more rich it will look. ------------- 1968 B-208, 1976 720 (2 of them)Danco brush hog, single bottom plow,52" snow thrower, belly mower,rear tine tiller, rear blade, front blade, 57"sickle bar,1983 917 hydro, 1968 7hp sno-bee, 1968 190XTD |
Posted By: AC720Man
Date Posted: 02 Aug 2025 at 8:23pm
  This is what it looks like, you be the judge if you like it. You won’t hurt my feelings if you don’t like it. ------------- 1968 B-208, 1976 720 (2 of them)Danco brush hog, single bottom plow,52" snow thrower, belly mower,rear tine tiller, rear blade, front blade, 57"sickle bar,1983 917 hydro, 1968 7hp sno-bee, 1968 190XTD |