Mower Deck Undercoating

DustyRusty

Well-known member

Equipment
2020 BX23S, BX2822 Snowblower, Curtis Deluxe Cab,
Nov 8, 2015
5,486
4,073
113
North East CT
Looking for suggestions for the underside of my ZTR mower deck. I pressure-washed it today and most of the original factory paint is long lost.
 

jyoutz

Well-known member

Equipment
MX6000 HST open station, FEL, 6’ cutter, forks, 8’ rear blade, 7’ cultivator
Jan 14, 2019
2,585
1,678
113
Edgewood, New Mexico
Looking for suggestions for the underside of my ZTR mower deck. I pressure-washed it today and most of the original factory paint is long lost.
Could you use some of the truck bed liner paint? Obviously not the products with the rough texture. Or simply cleaning, then paint a thin coating of oil prior to storing the mower? Or maybe a hardened epoxy paint coating?
 

BAP

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Lifetime Member

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2012 Kubota 2920, 60MMM, FEL, BH65 48" Bush Hog, 60"Backblade, B2782B Snowblower
Dec 31, 2012
2,567
694
113
New Hampshire
I use rust converter. It turns black and bonds quite well.
 

fried1765

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Equipment
Kubota L48 TLB, Ford 1920 FEL, Ford 8N, SCAG Liberty Z, Gravely Pro.
Nov 14, 2019
6,945
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Eastham, Ma
Could you use some of the truck bed liner paint? Obviously not the products with the rough texture. Or simply cleaning, then paint a thin coating of oil prior to storing the mower? Or maybe a hardened epoxy paint coating?
"Hardened epoxy paint" would be best, but I might also consider Fluid Film.
 
Last edited:

lynnmor

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Equipment
B2601-1
May 3, 2021
1,349
1,055
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Red Lion
I use Fluid Film for its rust prevention, not to keep the deck free from buildup. There is absolutely nothing left of it after each mowing. I use a Country Clipper zero turn with a standup deck and clean it completely after each 2.5 acre mowing, the last time there was at least 3 gallons of buildup despite the coating. No, the grass was dry and the mowing was done in the afternoon so there was no dew.
 

DustyRusty

Well-known member

Equipment
2020 BX23S, BX2822 Snowblower, Curtis Deluxe Cab,
Nov 8, 2015
5,486
4,073
113
North East CT
Would you use the Fluid Film over raw steel? A lot of the original paint is worn away on the underside of the mower deck.
 

2001TLB

Member

Equipment
L48TLB, 60" EA SSQA Root Rake Grapple, EA SSQA Fork lift
Nov 14, 2021
46
45
18
Shelton, Washington
Would you use the Fluid Film over raw steel? A lot of the original paint is worn away on the underside of the mower deck.
You might be able to find some orange paint on the underside of my mower deck, but not much. I pressure wash the underside after the season and let it dry. I empty a full can of Fluid Film on it. During the season, I blow out the underside after each 2.5 hour mowing. It is a little easier with the feature that allows me to flip the deck up for better access. I used the same procedure on prior mowers and it seems to work pretty well.

Doug
 

Bearcatrp

Active member

Equipment
BX1880
Mar 28, 2023
435
221
43
Minnesota
Anyone try silicone spray? When I had my cub cadet with bagger, used to spray the tube to help prevent clogging.
 

2001TLB

Member

Equipment
L48TLB, 60" EA SSQA Root Rake Grapple, EA SSQA Fork lift
Nov 14, 2021
46
45
18
Shelton, Washington
One can of Fluid Film in one application? You ought to buy in by the gallon then, much cheaper!!
I have thought about buying it that way. But, since I only apply it after the season, it's not too big of a deal.

Doug
 

GreensvilleJay

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Equipment
BX23-S,57 A-C D-14,58 A-C D-14, 57 A-C D-14,tiller,cults,Millcreek 25G spreader,
Apr 2, 2019
10,214
4,244
113
Greensville,Ontario,Canada
if you want to paint the underside
remove deck, remove everything to the bare shell, sandblast, use 'aircraft' grade epoxy,FOLLOW the directions to a 'T'. It'll last 12-14 years minimum.