Cleaning Lawnmower for storing

Suckit

I want to clean my lawnmower and paint it's underside with rustoleum, however, I thought the way to do this was to scrape of the grass and then use a power washer. I watched the video below and he says you should never put a power washer near it.

I have scraped off a fair bit of grass using a wooden board, and then realised that because I had it tilted for so long, now the mower won't start (as I was about to attach the hose as used in video below). How should I have cleaned the grass off? Do I need to somehow elevate the lawnmower a few feet off the ground? How does anyone else do this? I can't get it started now as I had it tilted forwards while I was cleaning it. Is there an easy enough way to get it started now?

Here is the video mentioning no power washer. I never knew that thing sticking out was for the lawnmower either.

https://youtu.be/2qrAcoaQzDg?t=39

Discodog

You can only tilt it on it's side so that the Carburettor is on top otherwise the carb can get oil in it. Take out the spark plug & clean it & take out the air filter, wash it in dish wash liquid, rinse well & make sure it's completely dry before you refit it.

Never pressure wash because it can blow all the oil & grease out of the bearings - same for a bicycle.

49801

Spark plug out and pull the cord a good few times. You want to get engine oil out of the ignition compartment. Clean the plug too and refit. May need to repeat a good few times.

if your prepping for painting I’d use scraper and wire brush. Wire brush on drill a good way to finish it before painting.

Suckit

Thanks, hopefully the weather stays good and can try that on Wednesday.

I tilted it forward because I thought tilting it sideways was the wrong way.. 🙈

I'll get a wire brush tomorrow. Thanks again.