Quick background: I’ve had this mower for 10-12 years now? It’s been a homeowner unit since new. Bought it off a friend who had maybe 1/4 of an acre of grass to mow. Since I’ve had it, It’s mowed our lawn which is on one acre, but obviously not 100% of that is grass. I’m getting some bubbling paint unfortunately. Over the last few years, I’ve been doing my best to clean the deck after every mow; especially in the spring when the grass is more moist. After my spring tuneup, I looked at the deck and saw some of the metal starting to flake under it. Ugh! This mower runs mint and only has about 450/470hours on it. Did a little research with AI; make/model, problem with it, pics and tools I had. Here’s the solution it came up with: Hit the underside of the deck with a needle scaler and a flap disk. Then, a rust converter and some paint. From there, fluidflim it regularly. For the top, scuff it up, hit with some paint using an HVLP gun I have better never used. Would be good practice as it’s a mower deck. I wanted to ask here because I know there’s some good experience. I welcome any advice. Some pics for reference.
Ok we did this once at dads camp, basically advice is same for preventing rust on underside of vehicles. Take deck off turn upside down (because you can and it keeps it out of eyes) clean prep and undercoat Wire wheel brush on screw gun works best IME see if you can find vehicles undercoat spray in can..I think theburtman has thread on it and brenndatomu and other offered advice
It's hard to tell from pics, but I think I'd be hesitant to hit that with a needle scaler, at least until you know that it is solid enough to take it. A wire brush and a putty knife will probably be enough. But the rust converter and paint, yes...probably a good oil base paint then, like Rustoleum farm paint...personally, I prefer brush on paint for something like that. Rust-Oleum 1 qt. Farm & Implement J.D. Green Gloss Enamel Paint (2-Pack) 280108 - The Home Depot
I agree. You might end up with an inspection window in your deck. Even a flap disk might be too spicy. Start with a wire wheel and escalate as needed.
Thanks guys! I always appreciate the real world advice! I forgot to mention, I was thinking of hitting it with POR15 (underside of the deck) Would the brush on be better than spraying out of the HVLP gun?
Thanks! I’m debating repainting the entire topside of the deck or just touching up the spots. I’m between “I want this to look even” and “Dude, it’s a lawnmower”.
I pull my deck once a year and scrape everything out, wire brush everything, and then hit any surface rust with convertor. I don't bother with paint.
Well that escalated quickly… Looks like I’ll have to get this patched at some point. This is a bit beyond my welding “skills”.
I regularly do this to mine: Mower deck maintenance. Is it worth it? My BIL used sheet metal and pop rivets to patch the deck on his Wheel Horse. Looked janky but it did the job.
Take it off and get it to a welder. They can scab in patches. So long as the spindle area isn't compromised you can keep patching. Maybe a shade tree Auto Body man? I was ready to be on top of this problem when I bought my zero turn. Even bought a couple proprietary scraping tools. First fall I raised the deck to clean and found virtually nothing stuck to the deck. It's this way every year. There is residue, but so thin that moisture retention is of no thought. Very happy about this because I do not enjoy cleaning mower decks. I do occasionally mow 'moist' grass but so far have not had much issue with clingons.
I Let me know if you would like me to at least take a look at it. It is a little hard to tell what is under that paint and how thin it is around the holes themselves.
