How to "undercoat" mower deck.

[IndyJay]

When I built the deck for my JD F725 I came across some Loctite PC9599 wearing compound on Amazon for $42. I went back later to try and buy another bucket of it and it was listed for over a $200. I see it listed now for $93.29.

It's blue epoxy stuff full of ceramic beads.

Amazon.com

It's a pretty grainy finish that I was afraid would gather grass pretty bad but so far stuff seems to fall off of it.

According to Henkel a 6 LB bucket doesn't go very far. Otherwise looks great.

http://tds.henkel.com/tds5/Studio/ShowPDF/243%20NEW-EN?pid=PC%209599&format=MTR&subformat=REAC&language=EN&plant=WERCS

TYPICAL PROPERTIES OF UNCURED MATERIAL
Coverage:
0.2 m²@6 mm thick/2.5 kg
2.3 ft²@0.25 inch thick/6 lb)

 

[Hoobie]

My nephew and I own identical lx188 John Deere lawn tractors. he faithfully cleans and oils his deck every fall. I do absolutely nothing but sharpen blades once in a while and pull out "some" of the dead grass grunge. Both decks are identical and in good shape. And both are 29 years old. This always annoys the nephew!
Not recommending this....just saying.

 

[Sedge1]

OP here. Obliged for all the experience. Appears the general consensus is against the attempt to coat the deck. Instead, I will just power wash the under carriage after each mow, and commit to removing it every couple weeks for a better scrape and clean. Thanks again.
David

 

[TractorGuy]

According to Henkel a 6 LB bucket doesn't go very far. Otherwise looks great.

http://tds.henkel.com/tds5/Studio/ShowPDF/243%20NEW-EN?pid=PC%209599&format=MTR&subformat=REAC&language=EN&plant=WERCS

TYPICAL PROPERTIES OF UNCURED MATERIAL
Coverage:
0.2 m²@6 mm thick/2.5 kg
2.3 ft²@0.25 inch thick/6 lb)

Excuse the blurry picture but this is the coverage on a 54" deck. I would have added more if they hadn't gone up so high on the cost when I got it. There was no way to make it smooth and pretty with the supplied amount of hardener. Two 6 lb buckets with extra hardener would have coated the whole thing and made a smoother surface.

deck after coating

Deck Before coating

 

[IndyJay]

I think it will work very well. Had often thought about a coating or replaceable liner. They need to drop price and offer it in green and orange.

 

[TractorGuy]

I've got 3 years on it. I might pull it off one day and see how it is wearing.

 

[ray66v]

For future reference, My father has a Hustler X-one, with 400 hours on it.

I just took the blades off two weeks ago, so he could sharpen them. While under there, I of course removed the grass that that had stuck in some places.

To my surprise, the underside of the deck was like band new. Even shinny in some places.

Whatever alloy they use, it's up for the job. There is absolutely no rust. And he does nothing to it.

 

[i7win7]

Don't know if it will work on mower decks but the 2 part coatings look interesting
check out videos for Never Wet and Ultra Ever Dry

NeverWet Superhydrophobic Coating Products | Hydrophobic Coating & Water Repellent Spray

NeverWet makes superhydrophobic coatings for consumer & industrial applications. Objects coated with NeverWet can't be touched by liquid. It's anti wetting, anti icing, anti corrosion, self cleaning and oleophobic.

www.neverwet.com

 

[IndyJay]

Don't know if it will work on mower decks but the 2 part coatings look interesting
check out videos for Never Wet and Ultra Ever Dry

NeverWet Superhydrophobic Coating Products | Hydrophobic Coating & Water Repellent Spray

NeverWet makes superhydrophobic coatings for consumer & industrial applications. Objects coated with NeverWet can't be touched by liquid. It's anti wetting, anti icing, anti corrosion, self cleaning and oleophobic.

www.neverwet.com

Looks like Rustoleum picked it up. Not sure how durable the coating is but the price is reasonable enough for me to want to try it.
$21.99 for 10-15 square feet? Great if it works!

Amazon.com: Rust-Oleum 274232 Never Wet Multi Purpose Kit : Tools & Home Improvement

Buy Rust-Oleum 274232 Never Wet Multi Purpose Kit on Amazon.com ✓ FREE SHIPPING on qualified orders

www.amazon.com

 

[arrow]

Looks like Rustoleum picked it up. Not sure how durable the coating is but the price is reasonable enough for me to want to try it.
$21.99 for 10-15 square feet? Great if it works!

Amazon.com: Rust-Oleum 274232 Never Wet Multi Purpose Kit : Tools & Home Improvement

Buy Rust-Oleum 274232 Never Wet Multi Purpose Kit on Amazon.com ✓ FREE SHIPPING on qualified orders

www.amazon.com

It appears to be a liquid detractor. Everything the show on the video has something attached to liquid elements whether it'd be paint, mud, water, oil, etc. in order for it to repel stuff.
I guess you'll just have to mow the lawn when it's wet