sjoemie himself 3,068 #26 Posted June 24, 2022 @Jeff-C175 in that case I think you're safe with the POR. I did'nt know how it's used but the way you describe it it's similar to what I know as rust treatment. The etch primer and following coating is probably 'just' there to make the paint stick beter. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jeff-C175 7,202 #27 Posted June 24, 2022 I made another pass with the abrasive pad and went ahead and did the POR treatment. Now you can really see how rusty this thing was! Note to self: If appearance of the finished product is important, throw the cheap disposable brush in the 'kit' away. It sheds worse than a Cocker Spaniel ! There's more hairs in that coating than are left on the brush! 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sjoemie himself 3,068 #28 Posted June 24, 2022 25 minutes ago, Jeff-C175 said: more hairs in that coating There are treatments for that aswell.. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cod 120 #29 Posted June 26, 2022 On 6/24/2022 at 5:45 PM, Jeff-C175 said: I made another pass with the abrasive pad and went ahead and did the POR treatment. Now you can really see how rusty this thing was! Note to self: If appearance of the finished product is important, throw the cheap disposable brush in the 'kit' away. It sheds worse than a Cocker Spaniel ! There's more hairs in that coating than are left on the brush! Looks good so far Jeff. I tried POR on one of my decks a few years back and it didn't seem to hold up well. Even though I thought I followed the applications instructions completely, I suspect I did not get it entirely correct or leave it to cure long enough. Good luck! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jeff-C175 7,202 #30 Posted June 26, 2022 (edited) 2 hours ago, cod said: it didn't seem to hold up well. Even though I thought I followed the applications instructions completely, I did a 'pilot study' on my 48" deck to see how well it would hold up. Used that 'kit' that they sell for like $25 or so. Includes the cleaner/de-greaser and the metal prep. That little pint can of POR is just enough for 2 coats. I think the metal prep might be the key to longevity... that, and how much 'sand' you are mowing and sand blasting the under deck. I don't have as much sand as I used to, the grass is finally growing. It seems to have held up extremely well so far... I can't remember if this is the 2nd or the 3rd season though! When you're retired you lose track of which Saturday is which... It wasn't as bad as this one though, because for the previous 30 years it's been cleaned out after every use. It has NONE of this deep pitting or scaling rust that this one had. If I get 3 years out of it I'll be happy. Better than cleaning and re-painting every single year! Today I've been outside all day cleaning / rust removing / and painting all the 'auxiliary' bits and pieces. It's kinda hot (mighta hit 90) but a shade tree and a big-azz fan and it's very comfortable. Edited June 26, 2022 by Jeff-C175 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
biged77 113 #31 Posted June 27, 2022 I have one of those decks and really like the way it mows. It has about 1300 hours on it. I have had a few problems with it though. One of the lift brackets broke just like yours and I replaced it. I have also had to repair micro cracks which formed at the spindles rediating out from the bolt holes. I think these decks are flimsier than other decks that have a plate across the top which may have something to do with the cracking. The IPL shows a baffle assembly but my mower has never had one, works fine without it and deposits fine clippings out the back. I think the baffle assembly would be a problem with the dampish grass I have to mow in the humid South. Even with the problems I have had with this deck I prefer mowing with it compared to the SD decks. 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jeff-C175 7,202 #32 Posted June 27, 2022 1 hour ago, biged77 said: micro cracks which formed at the spindles I didn't notice any on mine, but now that you've mentioned it I will get out my magnifier and take a look tomorrow. I haven't painted the top of the deck yet so I should be able to see them. Here are the reinforcement plates I made for the front brackets. Had to cut that radius out so they fit around the embossed part. I'm probably going to put some seam sealer between the plates and the deck to keep crud from collecting under them. I'll do the same with the reinforcement plate under the rear brackets as well. I think the fruit is almost ripe... time for pickin' ! ( please don't judge my messy shop! ) 5 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sjoemie himself 3,068 #33 Posted June 27, 2022 Looking good so far. Also like the extra reinforcement, mo' steel mo' betta if you ask me. Was thinking about the POR stuff and other methods. Have you considered powdercoating the deck? My dad did that with his 'throwaway' Castelgarden mower and that deck is flawless. Mower and deck are about 15 to 20 years old.. Only problem with that thing is steering, works with steel cables, steers fine but it eats up cables.. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jeff-C175 7,202 #34 Posted June 30, 2022 (edited) Pretty ... Examined very closely and didn't find any 'micro cracks' so went ahead and painted it. Next step, pop the spindles apart to check them out and clean old grease out and put in some new. Then I believe I'm ready to reassemble. Edited July 1, 2022 by Jeff-C175 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jeff-C175 7,202 #35 Posted June 30, 2022 On 6/27/2022 at 4:16 AM, sjoemie himself said: considered powdercoating the deck? I've not actually given that much thought to tell the truth... I did look into powder coating some wheels a while back and I could buy 4 good clean used ones for what they wanted to p.c. just one. I can't imagine what they would want to p.c. an entire deck! My experience with powder coated items had not been great. But maybe that has been a quality issue with the manufacturer? Trailer hitches for example... they don't hardly last 5 years before water gets under the coating and rusts them out. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sjoemie himself 3,068 #36 Posted June 30, 2022 About the wheels, that's no difficult choice.. I personally have had great luck with powdercoating. As you mentioned a good prep IS key. Everything I have ever had powdercoated I had sandblasted beforehand. Also the powdercoater used primer on everything before applying the color layer. My understanding was that not all powdercoaters take that step thus leaving a less robust finish. About the price, I can't complain. The company takes in private orders and uses the 'cash only' policy for that. I got two-piece 8" wheels done for I believe €30/$32.. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snoopy11 5,714 #37 Posted June 30, 2022 26 minutes ago, sjoemie himself said: I personally have had great luck with powdercoating. As you mentioned a good prep IS key. The only powdercoating I have experience with comes from a rattle can... but I do agree with Jeff about the amount of time it lasts... I have various 300-400$ rusty trailer hitches for examples... Don 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jeff-C175 7,202 #38 Posted July 1, 2022 The Jungle River Truck dropped off a dozen carriage bolts and nuts (Grade 5 which I can't find locally). I really have to wonder what exactly the Amazon packers are smoking... Why on Earth would they stuff these into such a SMALL box? I'm SURE they have something bigger! 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sjoemie himself 3,068 #39 Posted July 1, 2022 Zinc plating would be another option, in that case you're 99.9% sure thay you'll never have any rust again. Bit pricey perhaps.. It seems that all package packers are (or smoke) the same, regardless the company they work for. I mean I get that the companies resort to a standard assortment of boxes but you can't tell me that these are the smallest boxes they have. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lynnmor 7,307 #40 Posted July 1, 2022 10 hours ago, Jeff-C175 said: The Jungle River Truck dropped off a dozen carriage bolts and nuts (Grade 5 which I can't find locally). I really have to wonder what exactly the Amazon packers are smoking... Why on Earth would they stuff these into such a SMALL box? I'm SURE they have something bigger! If you get free shipping, then next time order your hardware one piece at a time. With those screws banging together there will be microscopic abrasions. Talk about smoking, just yesterday I bought a Rigid miter saw stand from Home Depot, when opening the parts bags the ashtray stink was unbelievable. The "workers" must blow open the bags with their filthy breath. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jeff-C175 7,202 #41 Posted July 1, 2022 1 hour ago, lynnmor said: parts bags the ashtray stink Maybe the bags are made from recycled cigarette filter material? 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jeff-C175 7,202 #42 Posted July 1, 2022 6 hours ago, sjoemie himself said: Zinc plating Not sure what these are plated with, probably cad... I've done electroplating with nickel before, maybe I'll crank up the bath and see how zinc works. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jeff-C175 7,202 #43 Posted July 1, 2022 6 hours ago, sjoemie himself said: smallest boxes No, I know they are not. I've got a bunch of appropriate sized boxes from them in my recycle pile. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jeff-C175 7,202 #44 Posted July 3, 2022 (edited) Got a little done today in spite of the heat. Big storm came through in the early evening that cooled things off a bit, but now I have some big branches to cut up... thankfully, no trees, just branches. I coated the face of the spindle assemblies that meet the deck with "No-Alox". Not sure it will help, or how long it will last, but it couldn't hurt I figure. There was a bit of aluminum oxide corrosion I thought it might protect against. We'll see... @Horse Newbie (not sure if you've been following along in the hymnal? thought you would like this thread...) @8ntruck FYI - more pics to follow... Edited July 3, 2022 by Jeff-C175 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jeff-C175 7,202 #45 Posted July 3, 2022 (edited) And DONE! All but the bolts for the belt covers... but that's enough for today. I'm happy that this one didn't need any parts other than paint and some new hardware. Waiting on new labels from Terry to be applied after the paint fully cures. @8ntruck Note the cove molding deflector which I may trim the ends of. Looks a little hokey with them hanging over like that, but I'm going to see if the extra serves any purpose first. Edited July 3, 2022 by Jeff-C175 2 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Horse Newbie 7,073 #46 Posted July 3, 2022 On 6/26/2022 at 8:01 PM, biged77 said: I think these decks are flimsier than other decks that have a plate across the top which may have something to do with the cracking The ones with the plate crack too… 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Horse Newbie 7,073 #47 Posted July 4, 2022 On 6/30/2022 at 11:41 PM, Jeff-C175 said: The Jungle River Truck dropped off a dozen carriage bolts and nuts (Grade 5 which I can't find locally). I really have to wonder what exactly the Amazon packers are smoking... Why on Earth would they stuff these into such a SMALL box? I'm SURE they have something bigger! And they made sure those air bags would keep the hardware from getting a dent… 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Horse Newbie 7,073 #48 Posted July 4, 2022 20 hours ago, Jeff-C175 said: @Horse Newbie (not sure if you've been following along in the hymnal? thought you would like this thread...) Yes sir… I do like it ! You are turning out “like new” decks at a fast pace… I started my vacation on 6/20/22 and made it to the Big Show in PA so I was a little busy. That deck looks great and I have picked up quite a few things to look for on the next deck I restore. You have done another great job ! 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jeff-C175 7,202 #49 Posted July 4, 2022 23 minutes ago, Horse Newbie said: like new Well... I wouldn't go that far! As @Handy Don says, it's a 10 foot deck. Looks great from 10 feet! But thanks! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jeff-C175 7,202 #50 Posted July 4, 2022 (edited) I didn't like the fact that the flange for the belt covers sat directly on the top of the deck, and this was an area where there was quite a bit of rust. Dirt and moisture would collect there and abrade the paint and rust. So I installed them with flat washers underneath in order to create an air gap between the flange and the deck top. Also, I decided against using seam sealer on the reinforcement plates on the bottom of the deck. Pretty much for the same reason... unless I can 100% guarantee that ZERO water would get in, they would only TRAP the water. At least there would be SOME chance of it drying out if they are 'open'. Edited July 4, 2022 by Jeff-C175 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
