how to repair a rusted 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

How do you keep your lawn mower deck 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. Also, once a year or so when you have it really clean underneath, get under there and spray any bare metal spots with spray paint.

How do you clean a lawn mower deck?

Removing the dirt, grass, oil, and whatever gunk has made its home on the lawn mower deck is essential for deck maintenance, but also the first step to seeing just how bad the damage actually is. Using some water, a degreaser, and a wire brush, you can remove just about anything off of the surface.

Can You revive a damaged lawn mower deck?

Surface damage can be easily revived, giving you a lawn mower deck that looks almost as good as new, but giant holes and spots that have been rusted through will need replacing. This is the part where you need to be realistic about how the rest of this process is going to go, or you might find yourself frustrated with the results.

What happens if you don’t get rid of rust on mowers?

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.

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.

How do you restore a rusty mower deck?

2:186:38How to Clean Your Mower Deck and Repaint It to Slow Down RustYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThen you can use a wire wheel or a wire cuff brush like i'm using here on an angle grinder or aMoreThen you can use a wire wheel or a wire cuff brush like i'm using here on an angle grinder or a drill to help get any remaining grass or loose.

How do I repair my mower deck?

4:0413:34Mower Deck Repair: Fab and Welding - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf I ever need a short piece of metal or whatever they'll cut me off a piece and sell it to me ifMoreIf I ever need a short piece of metal or whatever they'll cut me off a piece and sell it to me if they got it well they actually just went and using their sheer. Went out and cut some plate material.

Can a lawn 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

What do you put on a rusty mower deck?

0:315:01Lawnmower Deck Rust Removal and Painting with RustSeal from KBS ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd rust seal which is a rust preventative. Paint. Before you get started you'll need to prepare theMoreAnd rust seal which is a rust preventative. Paint. Before you get started you'll need to prepare the mower.

Which rust remover is best?

The best rust removerThe best overall: Evapo-Rust The Original Super Safe Rust Remover.The best on a budget: Whink Rust Remover.The best multipurpose: WD-40 Specialist Rust Remover Soak.The best for household: Iron Out Spray Rust Stain Remover.The best for heavy duty: Corroseal Water-Based Rust Converter Metal Primer.

How do you fix a rust hole on a lawn mower?

To do this, combine equals parts of epoxy resin and hardener, it will work both as a filler and as an adhesive. Spread the mixture over the rust holes on the lawn mower deck from the inside. Apply the same mixture to the outside of the deck if needed and let it cure for about 24 hours.

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.

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 gauge steel is a lawn 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.

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.

Step 1

Unfortunately I do not have photos going back to what I started with. I originally roughed out the area by cleaning off the existing paint and rust to determine the extend of the rust. For that I used the grinder with a flap wheel which removes the paint fast and efficiently, while minimizing damage to the existing surface.

Step 2

Once the curved piece was done, I finalized it’s size. Then draw an outline using a marker on the deck and cut out the damaged area using the grinder and a cutting disc. Cut the hole slightly smaller so you do not remove too much material as it’s harder to add it back afterwards.

Step 3

Wear proper safety equipment when welding such as welding gloves, welding coat, and a welding shield. For this I am using a fluxcore mig welder which does not require a gas shield, can be easily operated from a 120v receptacle, and isn’t overly expensive to purchase.

Step 4

Run short one inch beads to keep the heat down and prevent warpage, this is especially a problem with thinner gage steel. Warpage is the metal expanding and contracting from the heat, in the end causing waves in the surface. Run one bead, then start another bead at least a couple inches away so the other area can cool down.

Step 5

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.

Step 6

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.

Research

I read online forums and watched YouTube videos made by DIYers like me as well as professional landscape managers. Opinions varied widely, as always, but they all ended up in a similar place: prevention is easier than cure. I’ll get to that part later; now that I’m in this pickle, I need to do something.

Cleaning It Up

There isn’t any rocket science in the first few steps. Remove the blades, then disassemble the mower deck to the point where you have free access to the entire underside. For me, that was a complete disassembly to remove all the screws that were sticking down below the surface of the deck.

Rust Conversion

I’m so glad I discovered Rust Kutter in my research. This stuff is awesome! After I wiped away the debris from the clean-up process, I sprayed the rust converter on and walked away for a couple of days.

Sealing the Mowing Deck

This is where the online opinions varied the widest. Some said don’t do anything but keep it clean, others advocated truck bed lining, others a coat of paint or oil, and still others automotive undercoating. I went with undercoating, as it seems to me it will hold up well but not be as expensive as bed lining.

Reassembly and Final Points

Reassembling the mower deck was pretty easy. I noticed a gouge in the belt, so I grabbed the spare off the shelf and replaced it. Remembering where one of the springs goes took me a minute; the pictures I took during disassembly were a huge help at this point.

How to keep a lawn mower from rusting?

Storing your lawn mower in a dry, clean shed can be a great way to prevent rust, but it isn’t an option for every lawn mower owner. Rinsing it off after use also isn’t a bad idea, but if it is going to continue to sit outside in the elements, buying a cover is the only solution. If you’re sick of staring at a rusted lawn mower deck ...

When will lawn mowers be rusted in 2021?

on June 28, 2021. There is nothing quite as annoying as having an old, rusted lawn mower deck. At the same time, it seems to be an experience most people have in their time owning a lawn mower, and it takes a lot of care and effort to prevent it. Storing your lawn mower in a dry, clean shed can be a great way to prevent rust, ...

What does a rust converter do?

Not in any big ways, of course, but the product itself is really cool. Rust converted neutralizes the rust — which, it does in a complicated chemistry-based way. The rust converter doesn’t take long to work, and it will actually change the color of the metal in any place there is rust present. Once the surface is dry, you can prep it for paint and cover it in a few layers of your new paint of choice.

Why replace a deck lid if you don't want to?

It is still worth doing if you decide you don’t want to replace the deck lid because it will neutralize the rust and prevent it from spreading and causing further damage.

How to remove rust from paint?

Using some water, a degreaser, and a wire brush, you can remove just about anything off of the surface. Be sure to use the wire brush to remove big chunks of rust and surface rust, and clear the area of residual paint to ensure that the new layer of paint will adhere well to the surface.

Can a rusted lawn mower deck cause structural damage?

Rust can be annoying and cosmetic, but it can also cause structural damage too. Once you’ve cleaned off the dirt and debris, take a moment to check out how extensive the rust damage is. Surface damage can be easily revived, giving you a lawn mower deck that looks almost as good as new, but giant holes and spots that have been rusted ...

When will Toro mowers be available for sale?

Toro Co. lawnmowers containing Briggs & Stratton Corp. motors are displayed for sale at The Mower Shop in Louisville, Kentucky, U.S., on Tuesday, July 21, 2020. Briggs & Stratton can initially borrow as much as $178 million under its proposed bankruptcy loan, but a judge denied a request to seal the letter outlining JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s fees for arranging the financing. Photographer: Luke Sharrett/Bloomberg via Getty Images

How to get resin out of a lawn mower?

Brush the mixed resin onto a strip of glass fibre and then put the strip onto the mower hole, sticky side down. Generously apply more resin to the fibre and stipple the brush so that you can see the fibre glass starting to separate which will indicate that it’s been fully applied.

What happens if you don't get rid of 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.

Can a spindle be repaired?

Could it be repaired. Yes. Now the issue is you will have to go out far enough away from the spindle and find solid metal that isn't rotten, Fabricobble a new deck piece to weld in place either above or below the deck depending which way works better and how the spindle mounts.

Is stainless steel rustless?

Stainless is not rustless ans stainless steel fasteners used outside will oxadize and stick together , call gauling just as much as a plain steel bolt will rust. Rust is steel oxadizing into red rust , Stainless also oxadizes but its oxide is clear and forms a protective coating to REDUCE further oxadizing.