I galvanized my Lawnmower deck! Deere X304

[SweBota]

Great idea, i will consider it myself as after 200 hours I start to see some rust beginning.

Lets get some facts straight about hot-dip galvanizing:

- The metal is first dipped in acid to remove all oxides and specks of grease etc.
- It's then dipped in melted zink at around 450 degC

Hot-dip galvanizing - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


The zink is not a hard layer, on the contrary its relatively soft, but it is self-repairing for small damages, generally under 3mm (1/10") wide. So a small spot will heal, instead of like when just painted, the rust gets in under the paint and start to break it off from the inside.

It's not very expensive, but prices do vary a lot with quantity. Try find a local user that sends things regularly and try to get your things done at the same time, as starting costs is the problem with our smaller projects.

As a reference, my galvanizer has a starting cost around $100 USD, plus around a dollar per lbs of material.


/Marcus

 

[Johndeere3720]

Very cool! :thumbsup:

 

[xpatriot]

Great idea, i will consider it myself as after 200 hours I start to see some rust beginning.

Lets get some facts straight about hot-dip galvanizing:

- The metal is first dipped in acid to remove all oxides and specks of grease etc.
- It's then dipped in melted zink at around 450 degC

Hot-dip galvanizing - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


The zink is not a hard layer, on the contrary its relatively soft, but it is self-repairing for small damages, generally under 3mm (1/10") wide. So a small spot will heal, instead of like when just painted, the rust gets in under the paint and start to break it off from the inside.

It's not very expensive, but prices do vary a lot with quantity. Try find a local user that sends things regularly and try to get your things done at the same time, as starting costs is the problem with our smaller projects.

As a reference, my galvanizer has a starting cost around $100 USD, plus around a dollar per lbs of material.


/Marcus

Thanks Marcus, i knew i was going to get schooled on the galvanization process (something i know very little about), i know its a heck of a lot harder than paint mind you (not scientifically speaking); tapping out the holes was proof of that.

 

[HiTechTed]

That's pretty cool looking. My mower has about 70 hours on it and I've cleaned it once underneath (and a lot more on the top of the deck, removing sticks and grass, etc). I would think a smooth surface would help keep the grass from sticking underneath as opposed to pitted or rusted areas. I'm going to clean mine real good and paint what needs painted this coming spring. Anyway nice project, a bit more than I'd do but cool none the less.

 

[SweBota]

Thanks Marcus, i knew i was going to get schooled on the galvanization process (something i know very little about), i know its a heck of a lot harder than paint mind you (not scientifically speaking); tapping out the holes was proof of that.

Well yes, it's melted metal!

/M

 

[xpatriot]

Well yes, it's melted metal!

/M

Thanks SweBota, your comments are further proof that you don't have to be a scientist to prove that metal (in general terms) is harder than paint!!:laughing:

 

[xpatriot]

Had to install it under the tractor... I think i'll just leave it the galvanized color, sets it off from the rest of the X304's in the neighborhood...:laughing:

 

[xpatriot]

that looks great,I was wondering too about the cost. russ

Near $100, very near is what i paid.

 

[powerstroke444e]

Looks good, we have a powder coat guy in town & I have thought of haven my mower deck powder coated but never found out what it cost.

 

[tfredj]

Had to install it under the tractor... I think i'll just leave it the galvanized color, sets it off from the rest of the X304's in the neighborhood...:laughing:

Just wondering how the galv deck is holding up after a few years of mowing?