[da Vinci Dan]

The best thing you can do is keep it as dry as possible and scrape off the debris a few times a season. Most mower decks are thick enough steel that the rest of the mower will dissolve before the deck corrodes too much. Even if it does, a replacement deck is usually a few hundred dollars tops. This is small compared to the few $grand you spent on that machine.

I have had the same John Deere I purchased new 20 years ago. I have beated this thing hard and put it away wet too many times to count. I have only seen some surface rust and paint flaking on the deck but nothing significant enough to be concerned about.

I use a paint scraper, wire brush, Rustoluem primer and “John Deere Yellow” once a year tops. Usually when I am sharpening the blades mid season. If it is lucky, I will scape her off once more before mulching in the Fall.