Hi Dave, that's a given...if the machine is going to be your main mower...it will inevitably get scratched and dirty.
That's one of the reasons when I did the cosmetic resto on my 45, I did not paint the front or rear rollers...In fact Scott Bonnar did not paint the rear rollers....however Rover did when they started manufacture of the Rover 45.
My rear roller has never suffered a rust problem...as it gets used regularly I guess.
