Sealing Bed Wood

[Ken B]

I am trying to figure out how to stain, seal and preserve my wood bed. any input, experience would be appreciated.
I am thinking of a semi transparent stain then just have the body shop use clear coat to seal it.
Is interior stain ok to use if the clear coat will be the " protectant"?
Oil based or water based?

 

[bucket]

I don't have any advice, but I am curious what people have to say too. I'm not sure how well automotive clearcoat would hold up wood?

 

[Ricko1966]

I am trying to figure out how to stain, seal and preserve my wood bed. any input, experience would be appreciated.
I am thinking of a semi transparent stain then just have the body shop use clear coat to seal it.
Is interior stain ok to use if the clear coat will be the " protectant"?
Oil based or water based?

I'd be talking to some wood floor guys,maybe even some deck/dock guys

 

[Ken B]

I thought about spar urethane...used on. Boats

 

[DoubleDingo]

Mar-K did a test, and every stain failed. The best outcome was first painting the boards with por15, and then a high quality industrial exterior paint. Color, black. I printed out the tests and results, not sure if they're available now. Maybe an archived site.

 

[bucket]

Mar-K did a test, and every stain failed. The best outcome was first painting the boards with por15, and then a high quality industrial exterior paint. Color, black. I printed out the tests and results, not sure if they're available now. Maybe an archived site.

I can say though, that constantly hauling engines and transmissions does a fine job of protecting the wood. With all the fluid leaks and whatnot, lol.

 

[DoubleDingo]

I can say though, that constantly hauling engines and transmissions does a fine job of protecting the wood. With all the fluid leaks and whatnot, lol.

Yep, that's good for wood and metal

 

[Ken B]

I will stain and seal the wood somehow and hope it has a good long life....i am not looking for any more por15 on the truck....that stuff dont come off humans either

 

[Grit dog]

Mar-K did a test, and every stain failed. The best outcome was first painting the boards with por15, and then a high quality industrial exterior paint. Color, black. I printed out the tests and results, not sure if they're available now. Maybe an archived site.

There are several methods that will work. And what you quoted must be for the underside as that is the last thing I’d do to the exposed side whether it was gonna be a show truck or a beater hauler with expensive boards.
Not sure what @Ken B intended use is, but if it’s to be a beater then. The bed kit was a waste of alot of money.
Also, consider the conditions. Ken left out alot of important info.
Is this gonna look like a bowling alley floor and live out of the rain and sun or is it the polar opposite.
If one just wants to preserve wood with no expectation of appearance, think oil stain. Only. Anything that builds up will eventually peel, get scraped off etc under use or environmental conditions. Or just slobber it with old motor oil and be done with it.
If you want appearance as a primary goal, use the right products designed for wood.
Again not enough info to advise. Because it’s somewhere between “spilling” the used oil bucket on the way to Vato Zone on it and 000 steel wool and 10 coats of varnish.

 

[Shorty81]

Stain with good oil based stain. Then apply Tung Oil or boiled Linseed oil. Apply 1-2 times a year. Brush on heavy, let it soak then wipe off extra after 6hrs. Any hard coating will eventually peel, oil will not and it will hold color. But repeated oil tends to darken the wood....

 

[Shorty81]

Good quality oil keeps my side boards looking good

 

[DoubleDingo]

There are several methods that will work. And what you quoted must be for the underside as that is the last thing I’d do to the exposed side whether it was gonna be a show truck or a beater hauler with expensive boards.
Not sure what @Ken B intended use is, but if it’s to be a beater then. The bed kit was a waste of alot of money.
Also, consider the conditions. Ken left out alot of important info.
Is this gonna look like a bowling alley floor and live out of the rain and sun or is it the polar opposite.
If one just wants to preserve wood with no expectation of appearance, think oil stain. Only. Anything that builds up will eventually peel, get scraped off etc under use or environmental conditions. Or just slobber it with old motor oil and be done with it.
If you want appearance as a primary goal, use the right products designed for wood.
Again not enough info to advise. Because it’s somewhere between “spilling” the used oil bucket on the way to Vato Zone on it and 000 steel wool and 10 coats of varnish.

You're an a$$hole. I provided information from Mar-K.

 

[Ken B]

I am looking to have a good looking bed, red oak planks and stainless hardware. I was just looking for experiences of what does and does not work.
Hard finishes cracking and peeling makes sense.

Yes the truck will be parked inside garage. Will it be out and about yup.

 

[waterpirate]

West system, hands down above all else. Seal wood first, then apply stain. They have vids and tutorials, and a huge line of products. Stuff is expensive, but buy once cry once.
Eric

 

[PrairieDrifter]

Boiled linseed oil.

Burn all the rags immediately. Don't throw them in the trash.