Cleaning your yard cutters is a chore.
But getting them stranded and ruining the blades because you didn’t take care of them properly, is worse!
With spring here and the weather getting warmer, most people are thinking about that time of the year where they need to get their lawn mower out of storage.
But before you start cutting your lawn again it’s important to remember that a lot can happen in five months-mud, rain and everything else.
One thing most people don’t usually think about is waxing lawn mower. It’s a good idea to apply wax on your mower’s deck to reduce the amount of dirt and filth that adheres to it. There is less of a chance of grass clipping residue accumulating in the air intake system if the lawn mower deck is well cleaned.
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So, you should read this article before starting your springtime mowing!
In this article we will talk about whether it is possible to wax a lawn mower or not.
First we will find out what the meaning of waxing is, then we will focus on how to do it and what its benefits are.
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Can you wax a lawn mower?
During mowing, lawn mowers tend to build up dirt under the deck where the blades are located.
Because of this, the lawn mower will look unclean and its performance may be reduced.
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Applying wax to the deck should lessen the amount of dirt and grime that sticks to it and improve the performance of your mower.
A clean and well-maintained lawn mower deck should reduce the amount of residue from grass clippings that gets into the air intake system and is deposited as grime in other mower’s parts.
What is waxing a lawn mower?
Determining whether or not you can wax a lawn mower is essential before actually waxing the lawn mower.
If you are unsure of what it means to wax a lawn mower, this word is simply a term used for applying a thin coat of protective synthetic product on the metal surfaces of the mower in order to protect it from tarnish, corrosion, and other damage.
There are a number of different ways to wax a lawn mower, with the most common being by coating it with car wax.
In other circumstances you could use some light machine penetrant and moisture displacer like WD-40 if needed.
How do you apply wax on a lawn mower?
First, remove the spark plug from the gas-powered mower and empty the gas tank, so that it will not start accidentally when waxing and rotate the blade.
Then, lay the push mower on its side or on a workbench so the air filter and carburetor are facing up if it’s not an electric lawn mower.
Make sure you remove cut grass and dirt from the mower deck and use a brush to remove as much debris as possible.
Next, using a clean soft pad, cloth, rag or paper towel, dab a thin layer of high-quality automotive wax onto the bottom and top of the mower deck.
If desired, rub your rag or paper towel over the waxed area to buff out the excess wax.
This will allow you to re-apply some more if needed after using the mower and keep a thin layer of wax on top of the polished surface.
A properly done waxing job should last about a couple of months.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using wax on your mower?
Wax greatly increases protection from:
- lackluster
- oxidation effect of sun’s UV rays
- scratches
- wear and tear
- rust and corrosion
- dirt accumulation
The main disadvantages of applying wax to a lawn mower are:
- time-consuming
- requires cleaning and polishing beforehand
- may not cover deep scratches
- cannot replace painting
4. How long does it take to wax a lawn mower?
The actual time needed to wax the whole lawn mower is reportedly as short as 2 minutes to as long as 30 minutes.
A shiny, brand new look can be achieved with the application of a wax product and simple wiping using microfiber cloth afterwards to provide a polished look.
If this is not enough for you, then another option is to take the mower to a professional car or truck detailer for a thorough clean-up and wax job.
How to keep grass from sticking to the mower deck (wax alternatives)
Clumps of grass will grip onto anything on the lawn during mowing and then brush up against the mower deck.
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If left unaddressed, this will stick to the underside of your mower deck or be deposited onto the top of the deck, causing corrosion and rusting.
Damp grass clippings, mud, grass clippings, leaves and other debris will adhere to the mower deck and risk clogging up your mower’s air intake as well as corrode and pit your deck.
To help prevent this, you can wax your mower, or you can go a step further and use one of the following:
- non-stick cooking spray
- vegetable oil
- graphite
- silicone
- Teflon spray
How to remove grass stains from mower deck
Putting away the lawn mower for the winter months without removing grass stains and other marks left behind on the mower is a surefire way to end up with a rusty, dirty looking mower next spring.
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Goes without saying that this will also have a negative impact on the performance of your mower.
To avoid this, you should remove all grass clippings, dried mud and grime wrapped around the blade or along the underside of the deck by hand.
After that, you can:
- use a pressure washer or garden hose to blast out dried, stubborn grass and debris
- scrub the more tough grass clippings off using a stiff-bristled brush
- try an all-purpose cleaner or special degreaser to get rid of the remaining blemishes
- remove any remaining grass stains by spraying an all-purpose cleaner or degreaser on a clean rag and wiping it back and forth over the grass stains until they disappear
- tackle the toughest jobs by rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide on the affected area
What you need to know about lawn mower maintenance?
Your mower’s life depends on proper maintenance.
A healthy and beautiful lawn is definitely affected by a lawn mower that is in excellent working condition.
It is important to know the right way of caring for your mower, this way you can increase its life and performance, save money, and help the environment.
To have a great lawn mower you will have to do what is necessary to make sure it works as long as possible without breakdowns.
Here are some maintenance activities to do:
- store mower in a clean place that’s cool and dry
- check belts and belts guards for cracks, wear, and tears
- keep the oil level topped off
- examine wiring for loose connections and frayed insulation
- inspect fuel filter for clogs or clean it if necessary
- check your fuel lines for leaks
- check charging system by watching the battery voltage with an accurate digital voltmeter
- inspect and clean the mower blades at least once a month
- make sure that the blade is sharp after every mowing season
- empty any collected debris when not in use
- check that your spark plug brush is not worn out
- check the air filter for clogging
In summary:
After mowing, lawn mower decks get covered with dirt and grass clippings.
Lawn mowers need to be cleaned periodically to avoid having to spend money on repairs.
Regular maintenance ensures their longevity.
Lawn mowers are expensive, and when they break down, they can cost hundreds of dollars to fix.
Plus, if you’re like most homeowners, you probably have enough stuff going on right now without adding another chore to your already busy schedule.
But hey, if you want to save money and free up some time, why not give it a shot?
Waxing a lawn mower will give it a nice shine and protect it from rust and corrosion.
With the right tools and products, it only takes a few minutes to complete the process.
You can use either automotive or car wax to accomplish this task.
Removing grass stains and dirt from the mower deck is recommended before applying the wax.
If you have access to a power washer, you should definitely give it a shot.
If not, you can always use a garden hose and a bucket of water.
References:
https://go.carolinas.aaa.com/expert-advice/car-care/pros-and-cons-of-waxing-your-car/
https://www.wikihow.com/Stop-Grass-Buildup-Under-Any-Lawn-Mower-Deck
https://simplegreen.com/cleaning-tips/rooms/outdoors/lawnmower/
