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RE:Challenger front wheels

Had a few hours this weekend between other jobs on the single front Challenger, here are a few photo's of the original paint recovery and restoration progress, very slow but worthwhile.

Malcolm.
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RE:Challenger front wheels

Malcolm,

I am really really liking the way this is turning out!!! Can't wait to see the before and after pictures when it is done!!  What is your secret? Steel wool? I have always wanted to remove the red paint on my Challenger wide front I think it would have a lot of good looking original green paint under the badly painted red and if the red was removed I think it could really look sharp.

Joe
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RE:Challenger front wheels

Joe,

Great to see a new bunch of photographs scrolling round on the front page, I can see you are giving the site a "spring clean" with some revitalisation, hope it gets members talking.

Don't be in a hurry getting off layers of old paint, time and patience is the way, first I steam cleaned the tractor with hot steam to try and help soften the top layer, being careful not to fetch off the green below, this helped reduce the thickness of red. Then it is onto Graham Catlin's method of worn out sanding discs or emery cloth, it takes the top off any rust too, don't go too harsh then move down to final scraping and buffing with a nylon type scouring pad. I have not tried wire wool yet but it may just be a little more harsh than my final scouring pad.
I am not attempting to oil anything yet until the entire tractor is looking in this shape, there is a long way to go yet but I think I will be very happy once the oil is on there to preserve the paint. Then my dilemma is onto the aging of Ervin's new tinwork, seems like there is always another hurdle to jump, but over the years my collection has changed focus to this "more of an original look", so I am really please this single front will come into this category.

Interesting news on another wide front CH surfacing, Interested to hear more as it develops.

Good luck in taking off the red on your wide front, I am very confident you will find and revitalise the old green underneath.

Malcolm.