how to repair a rusted lawn mower deck

How to Repair a Rusted Lawn Mower Deck (Step by Step)

• Prepare a well-ventilated workspace.
• Position the mower so it can be worked on.
• Clean down rusted area.
• Knock down damaged metalwork.
• Grind/file back rusted surfaces.
• Apply rust-inhibiting paint.
• Cut the glass matting.
• Mix & apply activated resin.
• Apply fiberglass matting.
• Repeat fiberglass matting/activated resi...
• Allow hardening.

Full Answer

Should I repair or replace a rust stuck lawn mower deck?

Tip the mower and inspect the underside of the deck. If the rust is indeed widespread, it might not be worth trying to patch the area where the rust has completely eaten through, because the surrounding metal will probably succumb soon, too.

How can I prevent my lawn mower from rusting?

Get all of the grass out of the mower deck before storing it and DON’T USE SHARP TOOLS TO CLEAN THE UNDERSIDE OF THE DECK! (screwdrivers, putty knives, etc.) This just scratches the paint and allows more rust to form.

How do you fix a curved lawn mower deck?

Wearing rubber gloves, hold an oversize patch of cloth in place and brush on the resin. Press with the brush to form the mesh to the curve of the mower deck. Build up the patch with multiple layers.

What causes a lawn mower to rust on the back?

The rust was undoubtedly caused by buildup of wet grass clippings against the back of the mower deck, the part that supports the motor and shields the spinning blades. The damage you see is probably just the start of a more widespread problem.

How do you repair a rusty lawnmower deck?

0:243:535 Minute Easy Fix For Lawnmower Deck Rust Holes | Handy HudsoniteYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI'm going to use some tin snips. And what I'm gonna try to just cut this to shape. So that I canMoreI'm going to use some tin snips. And what I'm gonna try to just cut this to shape. So that I can fold it over this opening. And I'll cut this more or less to shape. And see how this goes.

How do I fix my mower deck without welding?

2:0717:18How To Repair a Mower Deck Without Welding - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd I don't have a welder. I'm just gonna pop rivet. I'm pre-drill the holes in this pop rivet aMoreAnd I don't have a welder. I'm just gonna pop rivet. I'm pre-drill the holes in this pop rivet a piece on. And just see how long it gets me you know the deck.

Can a mower deck be welded?

0:3315:45Mower Deck Welding Repair - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo hope he doesn't find it with his lawnmower when we get done fixing this thing. But that's not theMoreSo hope he doesn't find it with his lawnmower when we get done fixing this thing. But that's not the difficult part of this repair not that this is a difficult repair if you have the right tools once

How do you fix a lawn mower deck?

0:187:39Mower Deck Repair - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo what I'm gonna have to do is cut the whole nose off this mower deck and refabricate it fromMoreSo what I'm gonna have to do is cut the whole nose off this mower deck and refabricate it from scratch. The first thing I'm going to do is come in and make a couple of reference. Lines.

How do you weld a rusty mower deck?

0:006:01welding (lawn mower deck repair) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt. First remove whatever parts are in your way. So you can gain access like this wheel. Using anMoreIt. First remove whatever parts are in your way. So you can gain access like this wheel. Using an angle grinder either a solid disc or a flap disc your.

Are lawn mower decks interchangeable?

So, are lawn mower decks interchangeable? Lawnmower decks are largely interchangeable. Engines will swap without issue. However, blades and drive systems may differ.

Can a rusted mower deck be repaired?

While you can patch holes that have rusted through the lawn mower deck, this will requiring welding in new metal, and if you don't have the tools and skills to do that at home, there is little point in attempting to make a major repair.

What are lawn mower decks made of?

There are three main materials used in the manufacture of lawnmower decks. These are - Plastic*, Steel and Aluminum alloy. Plastic – generally cheaper so often found on budget, entry-level machines, (though you may find plastic decks on some premium models, some Honda mowers for example).

Does welding melt metal?

As opposed to brazing and soldering, which do not melt the base metal, welding is a high heat process which melts the base material. Typically with the addition of a filler material.

How do you repair a cracked mower deck?

5:2213:33Cracked Mower deck repair on the cheap, no welding. - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAs you can see there's plenty of distance between the repair and the tip of the lawnmower blade. YouMoreAs you can see there's plenty of distance between the repair and the tip of the lawnmower blade. You don't want to interfere with the blade.

How do you remove rust from a lawn mower blade?

0:001:25How to Remove Rust from Lawn Mower - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBut just run that steel wool over it until it smooths it down you can also use a piece of real fineMoreBut just run that steel wool over it until it smooths it down you can also use a piece of real fine sandpaper if it's really bad just to get through some of that rust and down to the metal.

What gauge steel is a mower deck?

7-Gauge Steel Decks All models use the 7-gauge steel! Most companies use a much thinner 10-gauge steel. Ten gauge is only 0.179” thick, compared to 7 gauge which is 0.135” thick.

Are fabricated mower decks better?

Both types can have advantages, fabricated decks are more often used in commercial applications and will have superior rigidity; the stamped mower decks frequently have better air flow, and are more flexible in their capabilities.

What is a stamped deck on a riding mower?

The stamped deck is just stamped out of a single piece of steel, usually a thinner metal compared to the fabricated deck. Typically lighter in weight. They frequently have better air flow, and are more flexible in their capabilities.

How do I paint a deck with flaking paint?

Drill any mounting holes as required. To apply a final finish, give the freshly repaired area a sand, along with the rest of the deck removing flaking paint or surface rust. Apply a primer, then a paint of your choice. I used a brush on farm implement paint, with a low gloss black finish. Farm implement paint can be purchase at a heavy equipment or farm supplier, it’s easy to apply and very durable compared to some other paints.

What to do after a piece of metal is fitted?

After the pieces have been fitted, use the flap wheel on the grinder to clean up the metal for welding. Any rust, paint, or oil must be removed to prevent impurities in the weld and allow for a strong bond. Ask Question.

How to smooth out a welding surface?

When all the welding has been finished, you can either leave the beads as is or for a cleaner finish, grind them smooth using a flap wheel on a grinder. Remove all the high spots and smoothen out the surface. If you find a pocket or seam, run a small bead and grind again smooth.

Tools for the job

All the things you need you can get from Halfords as there’s not too much difference between the mower bodywork and a car’s so here’s what I used:

Remove the rust

If you don’t get rid of the rust then there’s no point in doing the job as the whole mover will fall apart at some point so here’s where the Hammerite Kurust comes in.

Glass Fibre Kit

The great thing about the glass fibre pack is that it’s got everything you need to finish the job along with simple instructions.

Repair the hole

Cut out lengths of glass fibre into handy and workable sizes. There’s plenty in the pack so cut a lot as it gets messy later on.

What to use to clean rust off a drill?

A putty knife and wire cup on my drill were the weapons of choice for the majority of the cleanup. I simply scraped away the “chunks” of grass with the putty knife, then went after the chipped paint, dirt, and surface rust with the wire cup on the drill. Grinding away all the rust to bare metal isn’t necessary. I cleaned up the surface a bit, then got on with turning that rust into something else.

Is Rust Kutter corrosive?

Rust Kutter, like other products in its class, changes the chemical composition of the rust (oxidation) to a phosphate. This makes it non-corrosive, stopping the damage the oxidation is doing. Depending on conditions, it turns the surface either black or chalky white. In my case, it turned black.

Why is my lawn mower rusting?

The rust was undoubtedly caused by buildup of wet grass clippings against the back of the mower deck, the part that supports the motor and shields the spinning blades.

How much does it cost to replace a Honda mower deck?

The technician at Virginia Outdoor Power Equipment said a new deck for a Honda mower such as yours would probably cost around $250. Less-expensive mower decks are listed on various websites, but you’d need a way to install them.

What is the phone number for Vienna lawn mower?

A technician at Vienna Lawnmower Sales & Service ­ (703-242-9300; viennalawnmower.com) was just as discouraging. “They call rust a cancer for a reason,” he said. “Once it starts and you get a hole, it’s pretty much the end of the line for it.”

Can you paint a patch red?

Once dry, you can paint the patch red, if you want, so that the neighbors won’t notice your handiwork.