The Fordson Tractor Pages Forum

I have just separated the first dead back tyre from its rim, (cheating by putting a grinding disk through the cord ) and have started needle gunning the vacated tyre contact areas - so far no holes but a lot of rust shaling off. These will be wire wheeled and either Hammerited or primed & glossed.

Now this a wheel and rim that is pretty rusty and has perhaps less than 5-10% paint patches amongst the mostly surface rust. The other wheel is much the same but the rest of the tractor (except for the repaired fuel tank) is mostly in faded original paint, oil and sawdust .

My previous machinery restorations have been from basket case conditions to as near outshopped as I've been able to achieve and my original intentions had been to do the same, then I discovered the Comics and their focus on saving originals where possible plus the views of some on this forum and have changed my mind.

I can see how a steam down and clean, removal of surface rust on the main and tinwork and front wheels and a coat of Linseed or similar will protect and preserve the original but I just can't see my best way on these back wheels, Full derust and paint in new orange is not going to look right but the shed it has lived in is not going to be there much longer and I can't build one where she is coming to live so I want best protection for the future.

Any suggestions gratefully received

Bewildered of Bogside

Hello Rick
As you may know from my posts, I have wrestled with this one.
The further you debate this, the more existential it becomes - both philosophically and literally! If you don't paint the rims (alternative preservation measures don't really cut it), the very existence of the objects, the originality of which you are trying to retain, is in jeopardy. In my case, this unavoidable reality forced my hand.
The thing is, though, what is original? From the moment they left Dagenham, our tractors began lives that exposed them to the wear and tear of life. Time and events change the tractor (and its owners!). I love looking at the photos of members tractors posted on this forum, and to my eye, I haven't seen two that look the same. That's because each has led a different life since being driven off the production line.
I'm posting below two photos. One is of my first Major, a 1954 model with throttle linkage through the block, and separate oil pump PRV. The second photo is of my current Major. The rad cowl and bonnet are the very same objects in both photos. I had to park up the Diesel Major for six and half years in the open when I went abroad to work. I was foolish enough not to cover the tractor, but I did at least paint the bodywork, which, as you can see, preserved it.
On my current Major, the rims were in a similar state to yours. After my experience with the 54 Major, I did not hesitate to paint the rims. [The only problem is, I chose the wrong colour paint! ]
Hope these thoughts are helpful.
Let us know what you decide!
Best, Adrian.

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ps Most people looking at the paintwork on the bonnet and rad cowl today would assume that it's original. It isn't.
Best, Adrian.

Nice to have a another perspective on the matter Adrian, I guess the question that perhaps really should have been asked was - given the current state of the wheels what can I do to prolong their life...........

Subject to brilliant solutions I think plan A is to derust the rims inside the tyres, weld any dubious bits then paint up to preserve. Remove surface rust elsewhere without heavy grinding / wiring, then spray with boiled linseed to seal with a removable coating (Ensis Fluid is a possible alternative but they don't seem to want to sell the long lasting variety other than to millionaires who will pay then wait indefinately for delivery)

Since mine is not a highly sought after model I doubt there is any significant value issue to leaving as is or restoring and it is the sort of condition I have always known her.

Any other views / ideas ??