Painting underside of mower deck

[Shimon]

I've been painting the underside of my mower deck (44" JD Piranha mulcher) with Rustoleum high-gloss oil-based enamel each year and it does an ok job of protecting the deck and making cleaning easier but it doesn't seem to last. There's a photo below showing what it looks like after a fresh coat. I wire wheel the big chunks of rust off and then use Conquest rust converter as a primer and then put on the oil-based paint.

Is there a better product that can withstand wet grass (mulched) and pressure washing? I know it's a tough environment and nothing lasts but I wanted to see what others are using on the undersides of their mower decks. Thanks.

 

[beenthere]

I leave mine bare metal, and don't find it to be a problem. From looking at the pic, and don't see where the paint wouldn't just be a catch-all for wet, green grass. It appears to be really thick.

Then again, I have many small sticks and hickory nut shucks on the lawn that seem to keep the deck underside polished real well.

 

[nike]

POR-15

Stands for "paint over rust" used it on the frame of my 75 cj5 jeep.

You can look it up on the internet. Follow all directions, and make sure you use gloves, or you will wear it off.:thumbsup:

 

[sixdogs]

Each year in the fall I pressure was and scrape the underside clean. Then do the blades.
When dry, I spray it with a mix of diesel fuel and oil, Maybe 10-25% oil.
Works like a charm. Any grass not scraped off or rust forgotten is soaked through with the spray.
Next year when I do it all over again I find the crud comes off easier and I often find shiny metal.
Been doing this for decades.
Just my two cents.

 

[dwost]

Painting is pointless, just coat the deck with Fluid Film when u scrape and your cleaning issues will be nonexistent.

 

[Shimon]

Thanks for the replies. Lots of good info here.

 

[LarryD]

If you go with the POR-15, just get a pint. It goes a VERY long way. Put plastic wrap between the can and lid and store the remainder in the fridge.

 

[sixdogs]

You know, I have a three year old Honda push lawnmower and, for whatever reason, nothing sticks to the underside of the deck.
It's metal and when I look to clean underneath each fall, nothing is stuck to the underside.
I don't understand it, and it's only a lawnmower, but I wonder how that happens.

 

[WH401]

Painting is pointless, just coat the deck with Fluid Film when u scrape and your cleaning issues will be nonexistent.

+1. Fluid film is the best choice for mower deck protection. It'll prevent the rust, it'll usually prevent build up, and even if it does build up it makes it very easy to scrape off. It's like buttering a cake pan before you bake. Plus, Fluid Film is bio degradeable, so it's not hurting the enviroment when it wears off like the oil-based paint the OP is using every year.

 

[9973720wb19]

I do not paint but after each season but do powerwash and scrape. Also, I use non-stick spray that keeps the grass from sticking after it's clean. I forget the brand name (don't have it with me at the moment), but I'm sure most of the major retailers sell it. it seems to help to lower the amount of grass getting stuck and makes cleaning much easier. I would consider paint every three seaons or so just to keep the rust down.

 

[dwost]

For anyone who cares to do some reading, here is some additional information and a little experiment I did on my Z with FF. http://lawnsite.com/showthread.php?t=316179

 

[sixdogs]

+1. Fluid film is the best choice for mower deck protection. It'll prevent the rust, it'll usually prevent build up, and even if it does build up it makes it very easy to scrape off. It's like buttering a cake pan before you bake. Plus, Fluid Film is bio degradeable, so it's not hurting the enviroment when it wears off like the oil-based paint the OP is using every year.

Fluid Film is so good it doesn't seem possible that it is bio-degradable.
How can this be possible?

 

[WH401]

Fluid Film is so good it doesn't seem possible that it is bio-degradable.
How can this be possible?

Looks like I got a little ahead of myself there. Not bio-degradable, but solvent free and made largely of lanolin oil, which is also used to protect skin in some instances.:thumbsup:

 

[955Lincoln]

but I wanted to see what others are using on the undersides of their mower decks. Thanks.

I coat mine with stinky thick wet grass with a touch of mold to keep it interesting.

 

[MiserableOldFart]

I bought a pump spray bottle of some stuff from TORO for like 20 bucks for a bottle, and have been totally unimpressed with its performance on mower for grass and loader and back blade for snow. Was especially disheartened because the deck on the old Wheel Horse was brand new and both of the tractor implements were painted in the early fall with gloss paint. I'll try to remember to give fluid film a shot this year. Glad I read this thread.

Looking up the stuff I used, it's Toro T-150, and it's "only" $15 a bottle. Can't recommend it, though, and I'd love to hear from anyone else who has used it.

 

[fbson395]

Shimon, Recently I painted a counter top? They have a special paint that may put on a really hard coat of paint. May not be right for this job but Im sure I'll get feed back from TBN members.Anyway it may be worth a look.

 

[beenthere]

Is there any good reason to paint, or coat the underside of a deck?
Or is it just a "feel good" thing to do?
Seems apparent that nothing will work to take the abuse and not wear off, and nothing that will stay for more than a mowing or two that will leave the deck clean of grass (if it is wet).
Just sayin...

 

[gonegreen]

Anybody try spraying one with Rhino liner? Probably kinda pricey though...

 

[dwost]

Is there any good reason to paint, or coat the underside of a deck?
Or is it just a "feel good" thing to do?
Seems apparent that nothing will work to take the abuse and not wear off, and nothing that will stay for more than a mowing or two that will leave the deck clean of grass (if it is wet).
Just sayin...

Fluid Film has lasted for well over a month on my deck between scrapings and applications. The properties of it adhere to the metal and for lack of a better word embed into the surface creating a barrier. It is a great protectant and has worked very well to eliminate build up.

 

[Chadophe]

google up a product called mo-deck...its a polymer based under deck coating that works pretty well...have to start with about three coats do the blades as well...deck stays pretty clean and far less buildup