Remove the rust
- Clean the area. Ensure the area is clean from grass and dust etc and then get at it with a wire brush. ...
- Apply the Kurust with an old brush. The Kurust will convert the rusty area into a solid and inert surface. ...
- Leave it to dry and do it’s magic. It only actually takes 15 minutes so this really is a job you can do all in one go.
How do you remove rust from a lawn mower deck?
Scrub loose rust particles from the top and bottom of your mower deck with a wire brush. Place a brick on a push mower handle to hold it up while scrubbing the underside.
Can you paint a rust mower deck after using rust converter?
Make repairs to a rusty lawn mower deck in a well-ventilated area to avoid fumes from spray paint. You do not have to paint a deck after using rust converter, although a new coat of paint will improve the appearance.
Why is my lawn mower deck rusting?
When exposed metal on a lawn mower deck comes into contact with moisture and oxygen, it forms rust. It is important to correct a rusty deck as soon as the process begins to prevent rust from eating entirely through the metal.
How can I prevent rust from forming on my Deck?
Clean the top and bottom side of your lawn mower after each use to prevent debris from holding moisture and creating rust on your deck. Mary Lougee has been writing for over 10 years. She holds a Bachelor's Degree with a major in Management and a double minor in accounting and computer science.
How do you fix a rusty lawn mower 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.
What do you do with a rusty mower deck?
0:235:01Lawnmower Deck Rust Removal and Painting with RustSeal from KBS ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThey often overlook servicing the mower deck grass clippings dirt and debris can eventually abradeMoreThey often overlook servicing the mower deck grass clippings dirt and debris can eventually abrade the paint on the underside of the deck until metal is exposed.
How do you restore a rusty lawn mower?
0:311:44How to Fix Rust on a Lawnmower - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipClean up the area first and then take your sandpaper. And do that for about 20-30. Minutes make itMoreClean up the area first and then take your sandpaper. And do that for about 20-30. Minutes make it nice and flush.
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?
2:336:01welding (lawn mower deck repair) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipMove across the table I'm using point zero three zero diameter welding wire the metal I'm welding onMoreMove across the table I'm using point zero three zero diameter welding wire the metal I'm welding on appears to be about 20 gauge.
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 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.
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.
Safety First
Before you start doing any work on your lawn mower, make sure you pull the spark plug to prevent it from starting accidentally. It’s also a good idea to drain the gas, as you don’t want it to ignite or leak if you have to tip the mower on its side to get to all the rusted spots.
Get Rid of Surface Dirt
Remove any surface dirt or stuck on grass from the mower deck before you start working on the rust. If there’s lots of grass hardened onto the surface, take the time to remove it so you can see the metal surface.
Break Out a Wire Brush
Make sure you have the mower over a tarp or in an area that’s easy to sweep, and then break out a wire brush to remove all of the loose rust particles. The more of the visible rust you can remove, the better. There shouldn’t be any loose or flaking bits of paint or rust when you finish the job.
Remove Oil and Grease
Use paint thinner to remove any oil or grease on the deck. This can easily be applied with a rag or washcloth. It’s important to go over the entire surface so it’s completely clean before the next step.
Apply a Rust Converter and Paint
Once the surface is completely dry, apply a rust converter. This will neutralize the rust and create a tough, black surface that’s ready to prime. Finish up with a coat of paint, and your mower is ready to go.
Cutting out the patches
I decided that I was NOT going to bother with trimming the holes perfectly and inserting filler plates. Due to how thin the metal was in some spots, I decided to just cut the patches with plenty of overlap so I was able to weld where there was good thick steel.
Bending the filler plates
I totally forgot to take pictures of bending these. I DID however take a time lapse video below of the entire process which includes me bending the plates, so keep reading.
Welding the filler plates
The welding itself was mostly uneventful. My welder has 5 settings and I had it on 1 to minimize burning through. You will have to do some testing to figure out what settings work for you and your project. Here are some notes on the difficult areas though:
Time lapse video of the repair
Here is a quick 2 minute time lapse of the repair start to finish. I thought it was kind of cool and got some video of using the bender on the patches. Take a look and like/subscribe!
A word about quality standards
I am all about doing the best work possible, but I am also conscious about the intended purpose vs the time invested. In this case, the lawnmower is given a new lease on life and I only invested a couple of hours. Could I have spent more time on it and made it beautiful? probably but there would be no advantage in doing so.
Conclusion
We have become a disposable society, but if you have the right tools and a little bit of gumption you can really make things last. It is also fun to find good deals when others don’t feel like fixing things and sell them cheap. Hope this is helpful to you.
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 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.
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
