How to "undercoat" mower deck.

[5030]

Far as I'm concerned, other than cleaning the underside of the deck occasionally coating it with anything is a total waste of time.

 

[KennyG]

Far as I'm concerned, other than cleaning the underside of the deck occasionally coating it with anything is a total waste of time.

I'm not even sure that's worthwhile. I clean mine mostly by collecting leaves with it in the fall and then scraping off the minor deposits that are left when I store it over the winter. I've never coated it and after 12 years there is no apparent corrosion. Of course, my JD deck is so heavy it would probably take centuries to rust through.

 

[5030]

Actually, I'll take one of my front end loaders and lift the mowers up from the front and pressure wash the underside of the deck maybe once or twice a year and that's it.

 

[m1garand762]

I cut my yard with an early 70s wheel horse that has the original deck. My grandfather bought it new and when done for the year it was coated in drain oil. Other that an occasional stress crack the deck is as solid as the day it was new. I still coat it with drain oil every year and scrape the wet grass off each time I am done with it

 

[bartjoebob]

I have been giving thought to using anti fouling paint used for boats bottoms. Has anyone tried it, or know of a reason not to?

I asked the dealer about this and they said clean it and use WD40. So that's that I do... Powerwash both sides, let it dry, spray wd40 underneath and use a rag to spread it around. On the topside I'll wipe down and get any remaining grime off

 

[PJohnson]

Great replies - my thought on the antifouling paint was to prevent grass from building up. Rust has never been an issue for my simplicity.

 

[two_bit_score]

I was thinking more aftermarket rather than OEM. My grass for some reason is very sticky and clumps to the deck. It has to be scraped off nearly every time I mow. I do not have a problem with rust.

My JD 394 is not a lower end mower, but the deck is hard to remove and install, more so with fused neck and shoulder issues. My blades generally stay sharp though the season so it would a once a season chore. So I would pay 40-50 to not have to remove the deck several times in a season.

Could you do as someone described doing...use your tractor to raise the mower enough to power wash under the deck?

I can't blame you one bit for not wanting to remove the deck multiple times a year.

 

[IndyJay]

Could you do as someone described doing...use your tractor to raise the mower enough to power wash under the deck?

I can't blame you one bit for not wanting to remove the deck multiple times a year.

Yes, I think 5030 mentioned that and I will try it next time.

 

[arrow]

The reason painting it with anything doesn't work is because you can't get the undersides clean enough to paint anything on there.
It is as if you would have to sand the thing to bare metal and start from there with an epoxy type paint or 4 step POR 15 type product.
Then even this would probably come off in time.

 

[two_bit_score]

The reason painting it with anything doesn't work is because you can't get the undersides clean enough to paint anything on there.
It is as if you would have to sand the thing to bare metal and start from there with an epoxy type paint or 4 step POR 15 type product.
Then even this would probably come off in time.

Yes, and the abrasive environment.