ehatcher
11-22-2011, 08:50 PM
My 2007 Gator is rusty. I believe the previous owner frequently drove this machine in deep mud, never washed it, and stored it outside.
You can see in this picture (thats my wife who LOVES this thing) that the side or the bed has rust.
http://ehatcher.smugmug.com/Other/John-Deere/i-4QKjnxj/0/L/1001159-L.jpg
Everywhere I look on this gator there are spots where the paint is flaking off and rust has started. There are no through holes, everything appears to be just on the surface.
I plan to keep this machine long term, so what is the best way to address the rust?
The most drastic method would be to strip everything off the frame and have it sandblasted and epoxy painted. I can do this locally for about $500-700. I would prefer to avoid this both from a cost and labor standpoint. I am guessing 20 - 30 hours to strip everything off and at least double that to get it all back on.
Next method I was considering was just to strip all the plastic, wheels, etc. (leaving controls, wiring, and other time consuming bits in place) and use a rust converter/POR 15 or other product. I have no experience with these sort of coatings so I don't know how well they work. Maybe I would spend even more time trying to clean it up this way?
Thoughts, advice or experiences?
Eric
You can see in this picture (thats my wife who LOVES this thing) that the side or the bed has rust.
http://ehatcher.smugmug.com/Other/John-Deere/i-4QKjnxj/0/L/1001159-L.jpg
Everywhere I look on this gator there are spots where the paint is flaking off and rust has started. There are no through holes, everything appears to be just on the surface.
I plan to keep this machine long term, so what is the best way to address the rust?
The most drastic method would be to strip everything off the frame and have it sandblasted and epoxy painted. I can do this locally for about $500-700. I would prefer to avoid this both from a cost and labor standpoint. I am guessing 20 - 30 hours to strip everything off and at least double that to get it all back on.
Next method I was considering was just to strip all the plastic, wheels, etc. (leaving controls, wiring, and other time consuming bits in place) and use a rust converter/POR 15 or other product. I have no experience with these sort of coatings so I don't know how well they work. Maybe I would spend even more time trying to clean it up this way?
Thoughts, advice or experiences?
Eric