50" Mower Deck

Texas Blues · #1 07-13-2016, 05:14 PM

Howdy folks, long time no visit! Finally got time to do some preservation on this 50' deck on the 1200. Just had a question, or looking for advice, on the top plate on this deck The previous owner had what looks and feels like tar paper as a gasket in between the top plate and the deck. That, and some sort of caulking around the holes where the spindles mount. I don't see a gasket on the parts list. The PO may have thought that it was a good moisture barrier? Anyhow, I am in the process of cleaning up the deck, and it's coming along ok so far. There is a fair amount of pitting that was under the plate and in other areas. I bought a scaler, and it works pretty dang good on the pitting and rust "bubbles". Now I'm in the process of knocking of loose rust and paint with a angle grinder with a very tough wire wheel attachment.
Once I am done and ready to paint, would you put anything in between as a gasket? The rust will be treated and it will be painted, but the pits are there, and I don't want to crate air pockets under the plate. What would you suggest I do there? Here is a few pics for reference. Thanks! TB

twoton · #2 07-13-2016, 05:27 PM

Looks good there TB. I wouldn't put any type of gasket back in there, paint it up good and keep it stored out of the rain.

Cub Cadet 123 · #3 07-13-2016, 07:04 PM

I am not an expert by any stretch, so take this for what it is worth. Rustoleum makes a good primer spray that has some filler in it to help some of the small imperfections or scratches. As for the pitting, I would try some filler on them.

Your work looks good so far!

Cub Cadet 123

zippy1 · #4 07-13-2016, 11:45 PM

If it was me, I'd get it sandblasted to remove all the rust from those pockets.
No gasket.

What are you using for sealer/paint?

jaynjeep · #5 07-14-2016, 12:21 AM

I think the gasket was a previous owner addition..

I'm with the others... cleaned, primed and painted it will last a long time if you keep it out of the weather.

Once it's sealed with paint you could use some automotive seam sealer if you wanted to around the edges to help keep moisture from creeping under and between the two plates.

Texas Blues · #6 07-14-2016, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zippy1

If it was me, I'd get it sandblasted to remove all the rust from those pockets.
No gasket.

What are you using for sealer/paint?

So far I have only used Rustoleum rust reformer on the bottom just to get something on the bottom after I used the scaler on it. Its a brush on liquid that supposed to treat and seal rust, sort of gives it that darker shine. I have not yet decided what to use on the top. Also, the mentioned wire wheel is taking the rust off/out of the pits, in fact I have to be careful with it because it gets down to the bare metal fast. Blasting would be great I suppose, but I probably wont do that on this one. Thanks, TB

zippy1 · #7 07-15-2016, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Texas Blues

So far I have only used Rustoleum rust reformer on the bottom just to get something on the bottom after I used the scaler on it. Its a brush on liquid that supposed to treat and seal rust, sort of gives it that darker shine. I have not yet decided what to use on the top. Also, the mentioned wire wheel is taking the rust off/out of the pits, in fact I have to be careful with it because it gets down to the bare metal fast. Blasting would be great I suppose, but I probably wont do that on this one. Thanks, TB

Kool, works for me.

ironman · #8 08-22-2016, 07:11 AM

Hey TB, nice job on the deck. Just curious as to what you did concerning your question in your original post concerning the "gasket" you found between the covers and housing. Did you do something similar, or leave it "bare", or do something with a sealant like samiam44 suggested??

Texas Blues · #9 08-22-2016, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ironman

Hey TB, nice job on the deck. Just curious as to what you did concerning your question in your original post concerning the "gasket" you found between the covers and housing. Did you do something similar, or leave it "bare", or do something with a sealant like samiam44 suggested??

Thanks ironman. I decided to leave it alone. I did not go back with a gasket or sealant. Don't know if that will be a mistake in the long run, but I think it will be fine. As many coats as I have on each piece, it should be a good barrier for moisture. I opted to brush on the paint, so its not a thin coating. Thanks, TB