782 Restore paint

[Nopriors]

Hello everyone. I have moved to the country in southern Georgia. I researched and searched and searched and found a wonderful 1983 782. The mule drive and the tractor will get painted later in the year. The amazing thing is this beauty does not leak a drop of anything onto the carport. All fluids look good.
My question is what are my options for the white paint of the mower deck and red of the tractor. The small town has a limited selection of some "farm and garden" spray paint. Should I just accept the fact that I will be ordering the paint from a source. Suggestions would be appreciated. Is there a close white paint that say Rust-oleum makes?
Thanks in advance for any replies,
Greg

 

[mgonitzke]

Rust-Oleum Almond is very close to the original white color used at that time. IMO, no sense in using any "better" paint than that on a mower deck on a working tractor, as it is just going to get scratched and scuffed anyway.

 

[Nopriors]

Thank you Sir!

 

[hydroharry]

Rust-Oleum Almond is very close to the original white color used at that time. IMO, no sense in using any "better" paint than that on a mower deck on a working tractor, as it is just going to get scratched and scuffed anyway.

Well, I'm thinking Rust-Oleum Antique White is a bit closer to the original color. Almond seems a little to dark.

 

[Nopriors]

Thank you. I think the local hardware might have that to try. The 44c mower deck did not have the cover for the pulleys and I found one on eBay in great shape but it’s yellow.

 

[1811Cub]

I use the Almond on my decks and mule drives. Lasts ok and touches up easily. The tractors get the Cub Cadet branded paint.

 

[Nopriors]

Being somewhat colorblind, I think the best thing for me is to just take the mower deck into the store and see what paint cap matches.

 

[HKCooper44]

I got a Cadet 782 at auction last year, and the paint was in decent shape, except for on the hood. I scuff sanded it with a "jitterbug", primed it with gray automotive primer, and sprayed it with rattle cans of Rustoleum IH Red that I got at Tractor Supply. Once dry, the hood matched the rest of the 782's red exactly!

 

[Nopriors]

I got a Cadet 782 at auction last year, and the paint was in decent shape, except for on the hood. I scuff sanded it with a "jitterbug", primed it with gray automotive primer, and sprayed it with rattle cans of Rustoleum IH Red that I got at Tractor Supply. Once dry, the hood matched the rest of the 782's red exactly!

Thank you

 

[jdrong]

I've learned that the same color from different years and attachments can vary widely. I found a Cub Cadet yellow from Valspar implement paint that I thought matched my deck pulley covers very well, I thought I should share on here what I found. The responses were mostly negative. I believe you will just have to do your own research to find a color and a brand that works for you.

 

[Nopriors]

I've learned that the same color from different years and attachments can vary widely. I found a Cub Cadet yellow from Valspar implement paint that I thought matched my deck pulley covers very well, I thought I should share on here what I found. The responses were mostly negative. I believe you will just have to do your own research to find a color and a brand that works for you.

Thank you. I thought about that. There might be variation. Thinking I might be able to match the mower deck pulley cover with the deck is probably not realistic. And as mgonitzke said it is going be dirty and scratched up the most. The red of the body is pretty faded but there is very little rust. When I get ready to to that I'll set up the sprayer and get the right paint Thanks guys!

mgonitzke​

 

[mgonitzke]

Well, I'm thinking Rust-Oleum Antique White is a bit closer to the original color. Almond seems a little to dark.

Original, unfaded paint might be darker than you think. Let's play 'what is original and what is Rustoleum Almond?'

 

[lpalma]

I would think the inside of the hood and side panels will not be faded.

 

[Nopriors]

Original, unfaded paint might be darker than you think. Let's play 'what is original and what is Rustoleum Almond?'

View attachment 157292

What a beauty. The more I look at my wheels and deck the more almond they look. I think I'll just pull a pulley off and take it with me to the store. Thank you Sir!

 

[Nopriors]

I would think the inside of the hood and side panels will not be faded.

Agreed. They look pretty good. I bought a can of Ace Hardware farm and implement red and it looks way too dark. I bought that for a metal garden trailer I found that needs coat of paint. I'm going to take it back along with the white I got and make the longer trek to the closest Lowe's and see what they have. It's all fun and I enjoy the hunt for parts (and paint) for the wonderful 782.

 

[hydroharry]

Original, unfaded paint might be darker than you think. Let's play 'what is original and what is Rustoleum Almond?'

View attachment 157292

Well, your deck must be almond and it actually looks nice. Are the tractor hood, grill housing and side panels all original 935 white?

 

[HKCooper44]

Being somewhat colorblind, I think the best thing for me is to just take the mower deck into the store and see what paint cap matches.

Careful! Paint can caps are notorious for not actually being the same color as the cured paint!

 

[jack casey]

Being somewhat colorblind, I think the best thing for me is to just take the mower deck into the store and see what paint cap matches.

My two cents. Get a quart of Case 935 white, 991116 R1 from Digger. Get a can of hardener and mix small batches at a time. Use the best paint brush you can find, paint will flow out smooth. I used the hardener thinking that clippings would flow away easier.
Cheers, Jack

 

[Nopriors]

Careful! Paint can caps are notorious for not actually being the same color as the cured paint!

Thank you

 

[Nopriors]

My two cents. Get a quart of Case 935 white, 991116 R1 from Digger. Get a can of hardener and mix small batches at a time. Use the best paint brush you can find, paint will flow out smooth. I used the hardener thinking that clippings would flow away easier.
Cheers, Jack

Great idea! Thanks Jack
Greg