How to Paint a Tractor With Rust-Oleum Farm & Implement Paint
A fresh coat of paint protects a tractor or implement from rust and makes it look like it just rolled off the lot. Rust-Oleum Farm & Implement Enamel is made for exactly this job, with colors matched to the major equipment brands. Here is how to get a durable, professional-looking finish.
1. Pick Your Color
Farm & Implement Enamel is available in OEM-matched colors including John Deere Green and Yellow, International Harvester Red, Ford Red and Ford Blue, Kubota Orange, Allis Chalmers Orange, Caterpillar Yellow and Massey Ferguson Gray, plus Gloss Black, Low Gloss Black and Gloss White for wheels, frames and trim.
2. Clean and Degrease
Paint will not stick to grease, oil or dirt. Pressure wash the equipment, scrub greasy areas with a degreaser, rinse well and let everything dry completely.
3. Remove Rust and Loose Paint
Use a wire brush, sanding disc or scraper to remove loose rust, scale and flaking paint. Sand glossy areas so the new paint has something to grip, then wipe away the dust. Mask off glass, decals, hoses and anything you do not want painted.
4. Prime Bare Metal
Bare and previously rusted metal should be primed. Farm & Implement Primer comes in Gray for lighter colors and Red Oxide for reds, oranges, greens and darker colors. Primer improves adhesion and adds another layer of rust protection.
5. Apply the Enamel
Farm & Implement Enamel can be brushed, rolled or sprayed. Apply thin, even coats rather than one heavy coat to avoid runs. It dries to the touch in about 2–4 hours; follow the label for recoat timing and let the finish cure before putting the equipment back to hard work.
How Much Paint Do You Need?
Farm & Implement Enamel covers up to about 520 square feet per gallon. A compact tractor or mower deck may only need a gallon, while a full-size tractor plus implements may need two or more gallons of the main color, plus a gallon of black or white for wheels and trim and a gallon of primer.
Other Specialty Coatings for the Farm and Shop
- Rust-Oleum Professional High Performance Protective Enamel for railings, gates, tanks and machinery, including safety colors
- Professional Enamel 100 VOC for VOC-regulated states
- High Heat Enamel for engines, exhaust parts, stoves and grills up to 1200°F
- Truck Bed Coating for truck beds and trailer floors
Shop the full lineup in our Specialty Coatings category. Orders placed before 4pm ET ship the same day.
John Deere, International Harvester, Ford, Kubota, Allis Chalmers, Caterpillar and Massey Ferguson are trademarks of their respective owners and are used only to describe color matches.