Thoughts on refurbishing vs. leaving original

[jimmystractor 171]

I'd like to cleanup my 7119. I bought some new tires for the back so I am definitely going to paint the rims on it. I bought rustoleum canvas white. I was told one of the PO used to drive it through the woods to go hunting. It has some deep scratches on the hood. It was also "touched up" with some non matching white paint.  I was thinking of spray painting the hood...

 

Last night I got all the decals off of the hood. I wet sanded a bunch of it and hit it with a buffer. It shines but obviously all the scratches are there still.  I guess my main question is: what are the thoughts on a tractor that has been spray painted? I want it to look nice but I understand that things are "only original once". I'm guessing if I put some new decals on it and buff the rest of it, it would have that patina type of look. I guess I'm just looking for some guidance...

Edited November 21, 2016 by jimmystractor
Pics added

[Gary 101]

If I found an exceptional 700 or 900 Series A/C, I'd keep it as original as possible.  I did a resto/mod on my 917H.  It wasn't nice enough to keep it original.  If I were a collector, I'd look at it differently.  The 917H is my only tractor, and it has to be dependable at a moments notice.  I figure that with all of the work I've put into it, I shouldn't have too much to deal with in the next 20 years.  LOL

[Mike_H 92]

I'd paint it.  Its already non-original, since its been touched up with non-matching paint.  

[720nut 4,225]

I guess that basicly it's your decision and what you want to accomplish when your done.

Me I have a couple restored and a couple original so I guess you might say I sway both ways

 If your looking to keep it original then I'ld just buff the paint to remove what ever might be wrong

Top B207 restored / bottom B110 original complete with mouse hole in seat

Edited November 21, 2016 by 720nut
another line and icon

[Talntedmrgreen 1,978]

2 hours ago, Mike_H said:

I'd paint it.  Its already non-original, since its been touched up with non-matching paint.  

Agreed.  With the touchups, and the decals already stripped, might as well go all the way on the hood.

[MikeES 458]

I have a 7119 and hood is in worst shape than yours.  You have it de-decaled, I would put on new paint.

Now my situation is:

Do I leave it a 7119 or make it a 919, as most of my fleet is orange...or a 920 gas as it has a M20 in it 

 

[goatfarmer 817]

4 hours ago, Talntedmrgreen said:

Agreed.  With the touchups, and the decals already stripped, might as well go all the way on the hood.

^^what he said....^^

[jimmystractor 171]

Well, I agree with everyone here. It makes sense if you come across a "survivor" to keep it all original.  Here is an update pic. This is Rustoleum Canvas white and Rustoleum clear coat; several coats...

Edited November 21, 2016 by jimmystractor

[Mike_H 92]

Very Nice!  Could you do me a favor, and measure the diameter of those headlight cutouts?  I HATE the square headlights in my Sovereign, and would love to throw some round ones in it.  TIA

[Brettw 1,130]

My thoughts:  If you are going to do a show restore, then take it all the way, better than new.  If you are a nostalgic collector, then some should be left as they are, especially if they have been relatively taken care of and not junk.  If you are going to use them as a worker, I do think that paint and general overall clean up and repairs with new parts are all part of overall maintenance.   I more hate to see hacks in sheet metal and mods that are not original, if I am bragging about a 30-50 year old tractor.  At that point they are down and dirty workers.  JMHO