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.