Case IH 8940 Magnum

[Durallymax]

This is one of our older tractors that has had a very rough life. Never seen an easy job it seems. Like most tractors it is a single stage paint, on fiberglass. Most of the white you see is actually rubbed fiberglass and not compound. A lot of Case Ih equipment is picked on somewhat because the red turns to pink quickly if not maintained. I can assure you that not many farmers are autogeekers. haha. Currently we have "semi-retired" the tractor to running a 30' mower for cutting hay. I say semi retired because it had been replaced in all of the other positions, but fit the bill well for this task which is not an easy one nor was this tractor designed for it, the front hitch and PTO we added aftermarket. Here is a picture I took when cutting last year. The white dome on top is for the autosteer, it helps alleviate stress and reduces skips and overlaps to make for a more productive day and crop. We will cut hay 4-5 times per year. At full speed this machine will cut over 30 acres per day and more depending on the crop.

http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr264/Dieselholicpullteam/Fieldwork/2012-05-15_18-19-04_937.jpg (http://s490.photobucket.com/user/Dieselholicpullteam/media/Fieldwork/2012-05-15_18-19-04_937.jpg.html)


The tractor has not seen regular paint maintenance, a coat of wax every now and then in the past few years but thats it. It looks like someone waxed it this winter judging by the wax residue left everywhere, IIRC they did use some form of a buffer, I am guessing a wax spreader style though. As you can see, cleaner waxes only go so far. Its the compounds and polishes that create the shine, not the wax. The wax can add depth, but it can't add depth to something that isn't there.

Pictures as it came into the shop.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1864/20130503_194543.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1864/20130503_194554.jpg

Its wet and muddy here now, decent time to do this tractor, but I was limited for time. I chose to just do the hood for now. This allowed me to just use a good rinseless wash. I used Chemical Guys Hose Free ECOwash. Using a two bucket method with grit gaurds in the rinse bucket, I used a Micro Chenille wash mitt (Didn't want to use the supernatural Merino mitt on this one) and gave it a good bath. I used Cobra Guzzle HD Waffle Weave Microfiber drying towels to dry it.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1864/20130503_200443.jpg

Then I used TarX to remove any tar spots I noticed. I also used it to loosen a very sticky glue from a dealer sticker. Unfortuneatley I failed to properly rinse the decal and stained it. I also used IronX to remove some of the iron deposits. I had a picture of it eating away at them but don't know what happened to it.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1864/20130503_203426.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1864/20130503_204231.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1864/20130503_212917.jpg








After those treatments, I used the plastic baggie test to determine if the paint needed claying. It definatley needed it. Here is the clay bar after just one section (2'x2')

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1864/20130503_210318.jpg



Now the paint is ready to be polished. Here are the pictures before polishing.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1864/20130503_212910.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1864/20130503_212946.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1864/20130503_212933.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1864/20130503_213016.jpg

The paint is very thin on this tractor, over the years most of it has oxidized away. For this reason I chose to use a mild polisher with a mild one step polish. Instead of using the Flex PE14 Rotary and some Menzerna FG400 to really get that glossy look, I took the safer route with the Flex 3401 Forced DA and Menzerna PowerFinish. I used an orange 6.5" Lake Country CCS pad for the major work and a yellow CCS 4" pad for the details.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1864/20130503_213317.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1864/20130504_003527.jpg

Here are some comparison shots during polishing.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1864/20130503_214559.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1864/20130503_214606.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1864/20130503_221137.jpg

Once the polishing was all completed I stripped the paint using Menzerna Top Inspection, then applied a coat of Menzerna Power Lock sealant using a red CCS pad.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1864/20130504_004319.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1864/20130504_011605.jpg

MPL buffs off so effortlessly, its very nice. Here is the results after about 4hrs worth of work. The tape is still on because I am going to apply another coat of the Power Lock in the morning after this coat cures. If I run into extra time I may even top it with some Menz. Color Lock nuba wax. Not a glass mirror, but red and glossy which is what I was after for a safe compromise.


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1864/20130504_013352.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1864/20130504_013400.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1864/20130504_013407.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1864/20130504_013418.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1864/20130504_013453.jpg


You can see a thin spot in the paint on this hood. It was that thin when i started and didn't seem any worse when done which is good.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1864/20130504_013513.jpg


Thanks for looking, Any questions ask.

[ihaveacamaro]

I think you don't give yourself enough credit, that's quite the before and after! Great job!

[Durallymax]

I think you don't give yourself enough credit, that's quite the before and after! Great job!

Thanks.

Everything can always be better haha.

I do like working with the single stage paints on our equipment though. Its almost as rewarding as polishing aluminum. I love a swirl free finish (btw I need to update my FG400 thread as I finished that hood) but not every notices it as much. With the single stage stuff its much more dramatic.

I've got a few others to do in the future as time permits as well. Couple orange ones too.

[WRXINXS]

Wow great job on that tractor! I'm glad you did not have to do the wheels because those tires would have eaten up about 2 gallons of tire shine!

I know what you mean about red turning pink if not maintained. When I got my Vinate Red 93 RX-7 it was heavily swirled (Had never been polished) and thus looked a tad bit of a pinkish/orange red color. After polishing it was looking cherry red again.

[eatnosenuggets]

What are you gonna use on the tires? :)

[vet]

Looks great!

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

Beautiful Vinny. I'm sure that hood is glowing.

Don't be shy about posting your work on the farm equipment. It is a very nice change of pace compared to seeing all the regular automobiles on here.

[Theo_Auto_Fines]

Nice. It must be challenging to work on a vehicle when its that tall.

[silverfox]

Growing up on a farm I remember my neighbors thinking I was nuts when they'd see me washing and waxing my tractors.

[charleyh2]

Great work !

[oldmodman]

Your work really made it look great.

But I really have to tell you. That tractor looked pretty good to start with.

My buddy's farm in Missouri has farm equipment that makes that look like it just came off the lot. I think the only think holding the harvesters together is the dried mud.

[Durallymax]

What are you gonna use on the tires? :)

I like the look of new tires, I don't use much for "shines", I will spend extra time on them if they are going to be in a public place though (parade, tractor drive in day for school, tractor pull, helping out with something in the community)


Wow great job on that tractor! I'm glad you did not have to do the wheels because those tires would have eaten up about 2 gallons of tire shine!

I know what you mean about red turning pink if not maintained. When I got my Vinate Red 93 RX-7 it was heavily swirled (Had never been polished) and thus looked a tad bit of a pinkish/orange red color. After polishing it was looking cherry red again.

Thanks, those are some of the smaller tires on the farm ha.


Looks great!

Thanks


Beautiful Vinny. I'm sure that hood is glowing.

Don't be shy about posting your work on the farm equipment. It is a very nice change of pace compared to seeing all the regular automobiles on here.

Thanks, I'll have plenty more to come.


Nice. It must be challenging to work on a vehicle when its that tall.

This one isn't too bad, I am used to monkeying around on them as it is. Ladders and scaffolding help, but it still can be tricky especially with the mud all around waiting to contaminate everything. Wish I would've had more time to clean the entire thing.

The newer 900 series Fendt's (like my avatar) allow you to deflate the front suspension to "kneel" the tractor, this makes it very nice to service and makes polishing and waxing very easy.


Growing up on a farm I remember my neighbors thinking I was nuts when they'd see me washing and waxing my tractors.

Yeah its a touchy subject in the farming community. everybody has their opinion on it. Most will sit at the coffee shop or bar and talk about how you have too much time if you are polishing tractors, yet they are the ones sitting at the bar? ha.


Great work !

Thanks


Your work really made it look great.

But I really have to tell you. That tractor looked pretty good to start with.

My buddy's farm in Missouri has farm equipment that makes that look like it just came off the lot. I think the only think holding the harvesters together is the dried mud.

Thanks.

We have plenty that will never be revived. I think I caught this one in time, but I am sure it will still need paint soon.

I wish I had a before picture of the one we did repaint. There was no paint left on the hood, mostly white.

Here is an after picture.

http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr264/Dieselholicpullteam/AutoGeek%20Uploads/646b94cfe791.jpg (http://s490.photobucket.com/user/Dieselholicpullteam/media/AutoGeek%20Uploads/646b94cfe791.jpg.html)


Couple pictures of the newer stuff I'll be polishing soon.

http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr264/Dieselholicpullteam/AutoGeek%20Uploads/IMAG0137.jpg (http://s490.photobucket.com/user/Dieselholicpullteam/media/AutoGeek%20Uploads/IMAG0137.jpg.html)

http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr264/Dieselholicpullteam/AutoGeek%20Uploads/IMAG0146.jpg (http://s490.photobucket.com/user/Dieselholicpullteam/media/AutoGeek%20Uploads/IMAG0146.jpg.html)

http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr264/Dieselholicpullteam/AutoGeek%20Uploads/2012-06-02_14-55-42_851.jpg (http://s490.photobucket.com/user/Dieselholicpullteam/media/AutoGeek%20Uploads/2012-06-02_14-55-42_851.jpg.html)

[dad07]

Vinny what a great change of pace in the show and shine!

the case looks great, now its time to finish the whole tractor :D


Great job!