Hay Rake Paint Question

Loremaster72 · Jul 12, 2011

I'm getting started on my hay rake (sulky) refinishing project in preparation for the Mow-in. I can clean the frame well enough and smooth it out, but I'm not as sure what I want to do with the rake tines. I'm thinking that it will be a bit too much work to try to fully smooth the rake tines, so I'm planning to knock the loose rust off and coat them with POR-15. This will be the first time I've used it, so I'm asking if anyone sees any problems with this on them on something that may flex if I end up using it.

Also, the rake is a bit weathered for good paint color identification. Since this attachment is so old, there aren't any color photos that I can find. I think that the seat and wheels were white, while the frame was red. I'll admit I'm using a newer red, actually Ford Tractor red, as it matches my newer machine a lot better. I'm also limited to rattlecan paints at this time. My big question is what color should I use on the tines? Should I just run semi-gloss black POR-15 and call it good (or maybe silver POR-15)? They won't be fully smoothed, so I'm thinking that white would just make surface imperfections stand out, while red would be to monochromatic. Any opinions?

I'm sorry that I don't have pictures yet, but I hope to be digging it out of the machine shed loft this evening, and will try to get some posted when I can. Thanks!

Tencubed · Jul 12, 2011

What make is the rake? Someone may know the color with the brand name.

Mike

Loremaster72 · Jul 13, 2011

OK, here are the pictures of my Gravely Sulky Rake. It's been disassembled for years, as I really can't use it, and still don't have enough room to store it assembled with my other attachments, but all of the pieces are there as when I helped take her apart years ago. There are both White and Red on the main frame, but the white looks like it was some sort of brushed-on later treatment. There's no paint at all on the rake tines.

The one thing I didn't remember correctly was the paint color on the wheels. Believe it or not, they are YELLOW. This is more of a later New Holland paint scheme than Gravely. Now I have to figure out if I repaint the wheels in White or Yellow. I'd love to add a band of rubber tread to the wheels, but I hate the thought of drilling into the original steel rims. I don't have any intention of selling this, but I'd hate to damage any value with a silly modification.

I've never seen a restored hay rake in any color photos, so if anyone has one, please dig it out for me. One other question just came to me. I notice that most of the older fasteners are square headed, even on some of the bolts. I'd usually replace all of the fasteners, but then they would be hex head. Would you try to refinish the fasteners to try to keep the square heads?

DmaxGravely · Jul 13, 2011

Nice attachment, I'd say go with the colors you can see, if you think they're original, i.e., yellow wheels, red base, etc. and maybe just go with a bare metal look for the tines but use a Rust-Oleum Rust Inhibitor or just oil them up some after you clean them up. For the seat, it might have been black as white was later (per Don regarding my older sulky).

ubber_gearhead99 · Jul 13, 2011

If you want to protect the rims you might try bike tire tubes stretched around it. woln't last to long but will help. and you can layer them up just use some kiddie bike ones and pull them over.

Richard-tx · Jul 13, 2011

ubber_gearhead99 said:
If you want to protect the rims you might try bike tire tubes stretched around it.

Won't the bike tires hold water and make the steel wheels corrode away faster?

Loremaster72 · Jul 17, 2011

Thought I'd add some follow-up info. I've started on the rebuild this weekend, and wanted to post the info I've found. The best hay rake image I've found was in the 1955 model L instruction manual. From it, I'd say you were right, Dmax. The seat is definitely black. Based on the paint I found in the joints, combined with this image, it seems that the vertical and diagonal rake supports were red, while the horizontal main frame was silver. I guess mine was repainted at some time. I haven't gotten into the wheels yet, but I'll let you know what I find when I do. I picked up some yellow paint to use on them, just in case.

I'm going to have to hustle to get this done in time for the mow-in. I've got a lot done on the main frame, but dang, seats are a pain to sand and refinish. I'm thinking I'll check if I can find a local shop to sandblast the wheels, instead of trying to grind them by hand. The wood mounting bar for the tines is in OK shape, but seems to be pine. I'm wondering if I should may be fab a replacement, maybe of oak or ash, and finish it with clear. I think that would look pretty nice. I've also got to source a new black rubber grip for the lever. Anyhow, I'll keep you all posted.

canadian.gravelynut · Jul 18, 2011

This is a picture of a rake that I have not very good but I hope it helps

Loremaster72 · Jul 18, 2011

Thanks, John! That's the first color photo of a hay rake I've seen. It looks like you have yellow wheels, too, so that confirms my color choice. I see you've added a strut to hold the rake in the open position. I'm not sure how I'll rig that on mine yet, probably not the scrap of clothes line through a hole in the seat that my grandad used.

Hay Rake Paint Question

Loremaster72

Tencubed

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DmaxGravely

ubber_gearhead99

Richard-tx

Loremaster72

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