Help Prevent Mower Blade And Deck Corrosion With A Product That Comes From Wool
Corrosion, what many of us simply call rust, is the biggest enemy of any equipment with steel components. It eats away at the metal until it eventually falls apart. It's exactly what can happen to your mower blade and deck, shortening their working life. If you want to avoid that, the first step is to clean the mower the right way so you get rid of all the grass that is bringing moisture into direct contact. The second is to apply a protective coating. There are a number of products on the market, but one in particular is a wool-derived protective coating sold under the brand name Woolwax.
Wool wax (as two words, rather than Woolwax, the brand) is another name for what is technically called lanolin. It is produced by special glands on a sheep's skin and spreads through the wool to help waterproof it. Lanolin is remarkably versatile, used in everything from the best laundry detergent for cashmere to cosmetics and candy.
It can also be used as a lubricant and protective coating. The Woolwax product can be used on all kinds of vehicles, can repel saltwater, and is recommended as a spray for lawn mower decks and blades before winter storage.
Can Woolwax prevent corrosion and grass sticking during the season?
There are other lanolin-based products that have been tested to prevent corrosion and the problems of grass clumping on blades and decks, and the results have been mixed. Woolwax claims its product is thicker than competitors' and contains no solvents, so wash-off is less of an issue.
However, the brand is keen to point out that Woolwax is a maintenance product. It doesn't dry, so the coating remains wet and may wear away during use. The abrasive action of grass being spun around the deck by the rotating action of the mower blades could do exactly that. Woolwax advises rinsing the surfaces after use with a garden hose, then spraying the product again. Because some of the original Woolwax layer is likely to have clung to the surface, you should only need a light coating.
There is a simple fix to help stop your lawn mower deck from clogging without using wax, grease, or oil, but it may only be part of the solution. Whatever coating you choose, regular cleaning and checking for rust should remain part of your mower maintenance routine.