Deck Rust

[TractorLarry]

Deck rust seems to be something no one can escape. I've seen it on just about every tractor I've seen, even newer one's.

Even mine has a bit around the outer lip (where it forms a "U") and around the center pulley. And it's never been stored outside. It will be now, but covered.

Is this something that should be bothered with, or is it just gonna be that way?

I had an idea here. I suspect it's not totally original and someone else has already tried it.

I was thinking of cleaning the outer channel out, wire brush the rust out, and then lay a coat of that rubberized truck-bed stuff that you can get by the can. You know, that gritty non-skid ruberized stuff.

Not the whole deck. Say, about a 2" stripe all around, from the bottom of the deck, over the lip, and down into that "U" shaped channel, and then up the body of the deck about 2".

Anyone used this on the underside?

It's pretty tough stuff. Much tougher than paint.

I thought about powder coating, but that would probably cost a fortune.

-Larry

 

[GreenQuality]

I have a 2180, 2yr old, with rust spots on deck and other places,i'm in the process of re-painting the whole tractor with rustoleum (Hammer finish),sanding and brushing the rust and painted surface,using primer sanding in between coats,then using the good stuff I really like the look of the hammer finish paint from rustoleum,I will show pictures when done.

 

[Dargo]

I thought about powder coating, but that would probably cost a fortune.

-Larry

Check into that, you might be surprised. I restore muscle cars and I've had many suspension parts, frames, radiator supports, inner fender wells etc. media blasted and powder coated for not much more than it would have cost me for the materials needed for me to paint it properly myself. I'm sure it will depend on the powder coating places in your area, but I'd get quotes. In general (not exact), a good powder coated piece holds up about 7 to 10 times better than the same part painted with a high quality paint. Anymore, if I can get the part off easily and remove all items from it that are not to be media blasted and powder coated, I have been having most everything powder coated. The mower deck on a 1999 Grasshopper mower has a powder coated deck on it and I have zero rust with just over 1000 hours of use.

Your mileage may vary, but I'm pretty well sold on that powder coating.