Kee 24" walk behind. Painting underside of deck?

LandscapeMan · Jul 10, 2005

Kee 24\" walk behind. Painting underside of deck?

Hi,
I just picked up a used Kee KC24 walk behind. powered by a Honda GX 140 5 hp. engine. I am replacing the blade shaft and bearings.
I have the deck pulled off and I was considering if I should wire brush and paint the underside of the deck.

Is this a crazy idea?
Or does anyone actually do this?

The deck is in very good shape. Not even a ding in it anywhere that I can find.
I was just thinking it might be easier to keep clean with new paint that the grass would not stick to as much. (I don't have ready access to water to wash deck after use on my 5 acres) And to slow down the rust factor. Any suggestions on the best primer/paint to use?

Any one else familiar with Kee trailmate mowers?

Thanks,
Charlie

Bird · Jul 10, 2005

Re: Kee 24\" walk behind. Painting underside of deck?

( Is this a crazy idea?
Or does anyone actually do this? )

Maybe . . . and yes. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif I've used a wire wheel to clean one and I've also sandblasted first and then painted; not sure whether it's worth the effort or not since I haven't found a paint that would last very long.

Gatorboy · Jul 10, 2005

Re: Kee 24\" walk behind. Painting underside of deck?

 ( I have the deck pulled off and I was considering if I should wire brush and paint the underside of the deck. ) 

In my opinion, I think that would be a waste of time and effort for what benefit, if any it would do.

LandscapeMan · Jul 10, 2005

Re: Kee 24\" walk behind. Painting underside of deck?

( 
In my opinion, I think that would be a waste of time and effort for what benefit, if any it would do.
)

Hmnn,
Well I went ahead and wire brused down to shiny metal. Primed it with HD tractor primer. And will topcoat with JD green, since I have plenty of it on hand.
Call me crazy, but I feel better for having it done.
Charlie

HGM · Jul 15, 2005

Re: Kee 24\" walk behind. Painting underside of deck?

I'm with you charlie, this spring before breaking out the JD I got new blades and decided to do something to the deck to prevent the typical rusted through mower deck. I got a couple of cans of spray in bedliner from the auto parts store, cleaned the deck and sprayed underneath, it went on prety good. Like you, I'm not sure it was worth it but it sounded good to me and at least I did something proactive. We'll find out over time.

LandscapeMan · Jul 15, 2005

Re: Kee 24\" walk behind. Painting underside of deck?

Ahh,
Proactive. I like that. It will be interesting to see how it holds up. Let us know how the bedliner works out. Interesting choice.
Charlie

slowrev · Jul 18, 2005

Re: Kee 24\" walk behind. Painting underside of deck?

I clean and paint the underside of my mower decks every 2 years or so. The trick is to do it in the fall after the mowing season so the paint has plenty of time to cure really good. I use Rusteoleum rusty metal primer and then Rustoleum glossy topcoat. Seems to last 2 years or more by my using the above described method.
Ben

LandscapeMan · Jul 18, 2005

Re: Kee 24\" walk behind. Painting underside of deck?

Thanks for the painting tip. I do like the rustoleum products.
Now if it ever stops raining and the humidty drops a bit.
I can get the second topcoat on my deck.
Charlie