Is Old IH Paint Lead Based?

Take Care
Steve

Take Care
Steve

All of the old paint will have lead in it. Contrary to other opinions posted, I know Deere & Co. phased out lead based paints year ago. I would be very suprised if any manufactures use lead based paint within the last 5 years if not more. The environmental regulations and any corporate legal cousul worth their salt would not allow any use of these paints. To use any lead, or any heavy metal for that matter, in paints is to invite big problems and thus great expense. This would not add to shareholder equity.

Enough of that. A wise man would wear a respirator while sanding grinding and sandblasting and clean up after himself. If vacuuming use a HEPA filter on the ol' shop vac. Lead dust is no fun and will make you the intellectual equal of your tractor tires.

Enjoy, lead is not nuclear waste, just use common sense and a little respect or what a part per million of bad stuff can do.

Happy and Safe Grinding!

I have a deleaders license issued by the state of Massachusetts so I am awaare of the problems. When I buy auto paint I always ask about lead content. The last red paint I bought was three years ago. It contained lead.

We all have lead in our bodies. It eventually gets bound up in the calcium of our bones. Most people have around 10 micrograms per litre of blood. I usually test out at 20. People who reach 80 will display symptoms. Anybody who has 60 will need to be cafefull of furthur exposure. A symptomatic person usually has to undergo chelation therapy. Levels can be cut in half after a few treatments.

I don't know about John Deere. There is no reason why they shouldn't use lead paint. I suspect they do as green is usually leaded. It should be noted that modern leaded auto paints are nowhere near as dangerous, as it relates to lead, as the older formulations.

The auto paint mfgs have been reducing lead where they can. Durable red and green pigments have not been discovered yet.

It is interesting to note that IH and Mack only offered red and green trucks up into the fifties. These two colors were the most durable because of the high lead content.

Children under the age of six are most susceptable to long term brain damage from lead.

I would think that there is alot more lead paint nestled in your foundation plantings than in your barn. After you spray your tractor, you should make an attempt to pick up whatever red paint dust and overspray you can.