Prevent Your Lawn Mower Deck From Rusting Without WD-40

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

WD-40 can be great for loosening up rusty nuts and bolts (and it has a bunch of other uses around the home, some of them unexpected). Unfortunately, it's not great at preventing corrosion in the first place. It's thin, and wears off too quickly. As a result, it's not the best option if you want to prevent your lawn mower deck from rusting. Instead, one popular solution is Rust-Oleum Stops Rust Corrosion Inhibitor Spray.

This is not a product that prevents grass from sticking to lawn mower blades or decks — its job is to stop rust. Also, you don't need a spray like this if you have a high-end mower with a deck made of aluminum, which is highly resistant to corrosion. If you're not sure what your deck is made of, hold a magnet against it. The magnet won't stick to aluminum, but it will stick to steel.

Many budget and mid-range mowers have steel decks, and rust can be a real problem. Thankfully, Rust-Oleum is easy to apply to most items: remove any existing rust (sandpaper or a wire brush should do it), clean with soapy water, let it dry, then spray.

Customers give Rust-Oleum Stops Rust Corrosion Inhibitor Spray an average of 4.5 stars, and have used it on a variety of metal surfaces. Rust-Oleum says it's for use on bare metal, but also says it can be used on lawn equipment and bicycles (among other things), which would clearly be painted. Buyers report using it on yard and garden tools.

A few complained it never dries. That may be due to the surface coating, or it could be that grease or dirt weren't completely removed before spraying. Several customers found the smell pleasant, but you should still work in a well-ventilated area and wear eye protection and gloves. The label says it's highly flammable, so avoid anywhere with naked flames. Read the instructions on the can carefully before you start.

If you're spraying the underside of the deck, avoid getting it in the central bearing by wrapping the shaft area with rags or paper and tape. When spraying the top, protect the motor and any cables and linkages. No drying time is provided, though one customer recommends leaving it overnight. According to Rust-Oleum, if you use it outdoors, the clear protective coating should be reapplied every six months, so it's not one of those lawn mower maintenance tasks you should do after every mow.