How to paint a Skidozer?

[kgracey]

Hey all,

Been lurking for quite a while around here, waiting to pounce on my first snowcat. You guys really make me laugh with some of your banter and friendly abuse.

Thanks to Bill Guthrie my snowcat will arrive at some point in the next 3-4 weeks! It's a Skidozer 301 with Deere diesel, 11'6" wide. Mechanically it's very sound, but needs some serious cleanup. My intended use is for skidding some logs and dead trees on a 12-acre property to reduce fire danger (it's an urban interface).

One thing I'm considering is whether or not to pull the windows and paint the cat before the snow flies. I don't have a trailer so I can't take it to a body shop. Maybe that's the only way to get painted - not sure. I'm wondering whether or not I could paint it on my own. I'd like to get some opinions on what I'm up against, what kinds of paint I might use, etc. I'm seeking any input on the subject I can get. I'm realistic about this stuff. If it's truly a headache to attempt this on m own, tell me.

Thanks!

Ken

P.S. I often won't be able to offer much advice back to the forums initially, though I can always say "thanks".

 

[pixie]

Congratulations ! It looks in good shape !

Are you going to just drag the logs ? What are you planning to do with the logs when you get them out ?

I don't know what to tell you about paint. The machine looks pretty good in the picture. I'd just get the paint matched at the auto parts store and touch it up for now.

 

[snowbird]

Looks way nicer than the snowcat I'm looking to buy!
I have had some experience painting in my shop (I'm a do-it-yourselfer).

If you're wanting to do more than a touch-up, I'd wonder if you have a shop in which you could sand (or bead) blast the machine and then hit it with primer and finally color coat? I've gotten great advice and help from folks at auto supply stores that have had experience with painting cars at home.

Likely more experienced snowcat restorers would have better advice than I.

Good luck. Looks like a really nice machine.

 

[mtncrawler]

Painting is 99% preparation. Bombardiar built these cabs out of angle and sheet steel, then gave them a coat of body filler to smooth them out. If you have visible cracks in the bondo this is an indication that the steel framing is rusting. If this is the case you will need to take a grinder to these areas and clean them up the best you can and re-do the body filler process. Since there aren't any large flat areas (due to the windows making up so much of the cab) the job is not as bad as it seems and reasonably easy to make it look good. Napa sells a two part epoxy primer that works well at sealing everything up before your color coat. If you haven't painted any automotive type stuff before you will probably need some guidance from someone who has. It is also time to ask youself what your final goal is. Are you starting on a restoration process to make something really neat or just want to make it look a little better so the neighbors don't bitch. In which case you can thin out some Rustolium and brush it on. On another note I had an SV301 ( 300 I-6, C6 auto, 205NP transfer case, aluminum powder grousers) and really liked the machine. Deep powder performance was unreal, and in low range gears manuverability was super. Looking at your picture I think you should do it right even if it takes a few years. Looks like somewhere along the line it was fitted with Thiokol or LMC tracks. How about posting some more pix?

 

[kgracey]

Hey Pixie,

I'm going to drag the logs to the bottom of the property. Next summer I plan on bucking them up and running a small firewood operation until I'm clear of dead wood. The brush will be chipped and spread back on the property. The trees are mostly white fir, a common replacement invasive species around Tahoe after the area was logged (it used to have a lot of pine).

Snowbird,

No shop here for painting or bead blasting. I think I'm already getting the idea that touch-up is the way I should go for now, and to leave the painting for later when it is possible to take the machine to an auto body place. I found a few more threads in this forum about painting, and I didn't get too enthused.

I think I'll focus on a massive cleanup first, then worry about paint next year.

Thanks all!

Ken

 

[Snowcat Operations]

MAJOR Clean up and then fluid changes should be first on your priorities. Then check for any exhaust leaks. If you find any fix it. If the muffler is rusted out or has small holes showing replace it. Check the tracks all the way around. Check the grousers. ect ect.. I know where you can get a great trailer for that cat. The owner wants $3500 and is worth every penny (PM me). After this winter is over change all the fluids again and then detrack it. Winch it onto a trailer and take it to a VERY GOOD paint shop. Get the outside painted and the inside Bed lined. Reupholster the seats. Throw in some new DRY cell batteries. A bit of sound deadoning panels and you have a new cat that will last many many years. OH yah grease everything with Amsoil synthetic racing grease. Thats how I would do it. This winter will give you the chance to see what mechanically you want worked on if anything. Good luck.

 

[BigAl]

If your going to be pulling logs and such ,I think i would wait until i was finished with your little logging operation to get real involved in a new paint job .Your bound to put a few dents and scratches on "her" before your done logging . I am assumming its a she ???
Just fix and prime/seal the rusty areas to stop further damage from orcurring for now using a few spray cans . Changing oils is always a good idea even if a Snot Trac owner made the suggestion .
Your in the Tahoe Area ??? Get me a shout and i'll stop by and give you my 2 cents worth .At 11-6 wide it won't be easy to just haul down to the body shop . Painting is getting easier by the day and there is no reason why you can't do it at home . I hear Bogus Bob even used a texture gun for a nice finish and then painted his Snot Trac to match his Bathroom with a paint roller . I won't even begin to tell you how Mouse Ear Mike is painting his Clown Car Snot Trac with a 2 gallon garden sprayer .

I have a 20' equipment trailer to move her with or you could use my Yetti Cat trailer after I get her repaired , if you really want to send her to a body shop . Be prepared to crap when you get the bid as most Paint shops are built for speed and a Snow Cat takes some costly time to prep .

Mountain Flopper gives some good advice too ,even though he has been caught sniffing paint more than once .

Lets get some more pictures of your new "past time" posted so I can start insulting you with the respect you deserve !

Bill G seems to be a real "straight up kinda guy" and I am sure you will be happy with buying from him . I know in his heart he really wanted to say bad things about Lyndon and MountainFlooper when I met him the first time . I mentioned their names to him ,but he was to much of a gentleman to say much , but the pained expression on his face said it all .

 

[kgracey]

I'm in Alpine Meadows, right up the road from you! You can let the insults begin at this stage because I've got enough land to bury the Yetti if we need to. Right next to the Donner Party. And about the guy with the cat photo melted onto his face - is he helpful too? I best be careful with my insults while I still need help because I've seen what these guys have done to you!

Absolutely I'll borrow your trailer at the right time. My Subaru probably won't do the towing job, but I can scrounge up a truck in my hood. Every other house has a contractor living in it.

I'll take all the advice you guys provide and put it to use. This year will be mechanical refinement and operation, especially till I'm done with the logging project. Thankfully Bill is changing all fluids, uphostering the seats, and replacing a couple of bogies for me. I'd be comfortable buying any machine from him in the future no matter the outcome of this one - with such a small market and user base he can only afford to do it right. If you don't want to search high and low for several years, it makes all the sense to go to his lot and try to pick one out.

I'd also buy from Bogie, too. I've seen what he can do!

Now, I know how you guys are about "pictures". I'll post a bunch as I go through this rig, I promise. It's easy for me to do. But right now it's still up in Weiser, and I'm down here. So until it's here I'll have only minimal hands-on experience.

- Ken

 

[BigAl]

Ken ,
Wish I had known that on Saturday . I was at Weiser having my tires rotated on the truck and 20' equipment trailer as I returned to Ca. I thought about stopping by Bill's but the tire shop got me right in and I was back on the road in a hour or so . I could have brought it down . Next return round trip with the trailer empty is in about 2 months . I do have a good friend in weiser who comes down quite often . If you need transport I can check with him .
Allen

 

[kgracey]

Al,

Bummer for me! But that's okay for now because they need to do some work that I'm not ready to at this stage. I don't want to de-track this machine on my own yet. Thanks much for the consideration. I guess I felt like I couldn't talk much about this thing until they cash the check.

I've got another picture of the left side of this machine. That's Bill leaning over the tracks.

I must say that this thing is a monster with a nicely-running Deere diesel and 225HP. It's got 1100 hours (we don't know if the meter was reset when the diesel was serviced by Oregon Highways Dept.). In general the mechanics look good, but it's a dirty machine as you can see. I need to drag some big trees, so I'm counting on this machine to do the job for me. It crawls, really, maybe up to 6 mph.

- Ken

 

[MNoutdoors RIP]

Ken, looks like you found a cat....... Bill is a great guy we have been dealing with him for years. I do not think you should do a good paint job till your done logging with it also. Then if want you can make it a people hauler we have a cab that would fot on it that would haul another 10 people. does it have the hydraulic assist steering ?

 

[Snowcat Operations]

Any more news yet? Need it transported?