How to Keep a Lawn Mower Deck From Rusting Through
When you purchased your lawn mower, it had a durable paint job over the entire mower deck. This paint protects the underlying metal from rusting by preventing moisture and oxygen from coming in contact with it. As you use your lawn mower, grass debris will build up over the paint. This traps moisture and can weaken the paint. Also, the mower blade can hurl small stones and other debris into the paint, which can chip it. By following a few simple steps you can prevent your mower deck from rusting through.
Use up all the fuel in the gas tank before the anticipated cleaning. Disconnect the spark plug and tilt the lawn mower on its side to expose the underside of the mower deck.
- When you purchased your lawn mower, it had a durable paint job over the entire mower deck.
- As you use your lawn mower, grass debris will build up over the paint.
Spray the mower deck with water from your garden hose. Use a hose-end nozzle in the "jet" setting to spray a powerful stream.
Brush the loosened debris off using a stiff-bristled brush and hot, soapy water. Continue to scrub until all the caked-on debris is removed.
Rinse the underside of the mower deck and allow it to dry. Stand the lawn mower back upright and reconnect the spark plug.
Repeat the cleaning process after every few mowings.
- Spray the mower deck with water from your garden hose.
Repair A Rusty Lawn Mower Deck
Pull the spark plug boot from the spark plug to prevent accidental starting. Scrub loose rust particles from the top and bottom of your mower deck with a wire brush. Pour paint thinner on a washcloth and clean the top and bottom of the deck thoroughly to remove any oil or grease. Allow the paint thinner to dry completely. Allow about one hour for the product to dry, and then apply a second coat in the same manner. Cover the engine and all parts of a push mower excluding the deck with paper bags. Paint the entire deck with exterior enamel aerosol paint. Paint the top of the deck first, allow it to dry and then paint the bottom.
- Pull the spark plug boot from the spark plug to prevent accidental starting.
- Scrub loose rust particles from the top and bottom of your mower deck with a wire brush.
Tip
If big nicks or gouges appear in the paint, apply touch-up paint over the blemish. Local paint stores have the ability to match almost any color paint with a provided sample.
Spray a light coating of vegetable oil to the underside of the mower deck. This will reduce the amount of grass clippings that adhere to the mower deck.
Always tilt your lawn mower with the air filter side up.
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References
Tips
- If big nicks or gouges appear in the paint, apply touch-up paint over the blemish. Local paint stores have the ability to match almost any color paint with a provided sample.
- Spray a light coating of vegetable oil to the underside of the mower deck. This will reduce the amount of grass clippings that adhere to the mower deck.
- Always tilt your lawn mower with the air filter side up.
