Paint "Restorer" Adds Value To Equipment

Paint "Restorer" Adds Value To Equipment COMBINES Accessories 31-6-25 A shiny new paint job adds value to any piece of equipment. However, buyers sometimes wonder what a new paint job is covering up and how long it will last. Dakota Shine brings back luster to even an old paint job without repainting or raising questions, says Lynn Odland, Dakota Ag Innovations. "We buy used equipment out of the South as well as local equipment and it often has that proverbial sun bake," explains Odland. "Dealers told us equipment is penalized 12 to 15 percent in value for appearance even though it's in good shape mechanically." Odland and his partners looked for an alternative to sandblasting and repainting to restore value. When they couldn't find anything, they started experimenting with soy derivatives and paint additives. Dakota Shine was the result. "All you need is an air compressor, a paint gun and a water hose," says Odland. "It goes on right over decals or fresh paint. It eliminates the ghost from the decal and blends fresh paint luster with the old paint." The first step is washing and degreasing with a power washer. Dakota Prep solution at a rate of 8 to 10 oz./gal. of water is then applied to the surface with a special no scratch pad, scrubbing and rinsing as it goes. This buffs the oxidation and grime off the surface, leaving the old paint job looking uniformly dull. "Cleaning a half ton pickup will only take about 15 to 20 minutes," says Odland. This point is a good opportunity to do any repainting or touch up that may be needed, he adds. Once the cleaned surface is dry, Dakota Shine is applied. Odland suggests loading it in a paint gun or conventional spray gun with a 1.4 to 1.6 tip. "Apply a light mist over the machine," says Odland. "As soon as it hits, you see the reaction. Once you give it a light coating, walk away and let it dry. Shoot it today, and you can use it tomorrow." Odland says the same process can be used on any painted or embedded pigment product from toys to fiberglass boats. One customer even uses it on portable toilets. A starter kit with everything needed, including instructions and a short training video, is priced at $215.95. Odland estimates that would be enough to treat a farm combine. A Deere 7000 Series tractor would require about $60 worth of the product. Establishing the product on the market has been slow due to disbelief that such a simple product could work so well, he says. However, a number of major equipment manufacturers, including Caterpillar, JLG and Volvo construction, have tested and approved Dakota Shine. JLG is selling it through their outlets, and it's being private labeled for Volvo and Cat outlets. Odland gives a lot of the credit for Dakota Shine's ability to pull out contaminates to the corn and soy ingredients. They have since developed a parts wash solution for Cat that outperforms solvent based cleaners. "The parts wash solution can also be used to clean cab interiors and air ride seats," says Odland. "Mechanics tell us even their hands come out cleaner, and they have a better grip." Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Dakota Ag Innovations, LLC, 40690 253rd St., Mitchell, S. Dak. 57301 (ph 605 996-7800 or 888 996-7801; fax 605 996-8980; sales@dakotaaginnovations.com; www.dakotashine.com).

To read the rest of this story, download this issue below or click here to register with your account number.