How would you guys finish the wood on...

[Scott Douglas]

A small trailer that uses 2x10's and 2x8's for the bed?
A friend of mine is refinishing his trailer. The original wood was painted.
I've suggested using fence stain and then Thompson's water seal on the new wood.
The trailer is only used lightly, he got it cheap and doesn't want to spend a lot of money on it. He did put new tires on it so it's in decent shape tire wise. He repacked the wheel bearings too and it tows nicely. We used it to get my recent table purchase.
It will sit out in the weather when not in use. I didn't think water based paint would be a good investment to keep the new wood from rotting.
The axle is rated at 3500lbs.
Thoughts appreciated.
Thanks.

[herr_oberst]

Thompsons water seal is junk. If that's the look he wants, go with CWF instead, or even boiled linseed oil.

[look 171]

Use Apitong tongue and grooved lumber will last a long time. Its not cheap like 2x6 framing lumber. Oil it and he should be good to go. With regular limber, 5-8 year and it starts to rot. Toe layers of marine grade plywood and finish it with some type of marine varnish but it will get beat the heck within the first couple uses. I am sure marine grade plywood isn't exactly cheap neither?

[1990C4S]

Varsol (paint thinner), motor oil, with some boiled linseed oil. Spray it on, let it soak in. Annually.

In eight years flip the boards over.

[fanaudical]

Other than the cost - why not just deck it with pressure-treated lumber? That may be ultimately less expensive (do it once and never again).

[LEAKYSEALS951]

TEAK!

I've got pressure treated on my trailer. It's been on that trailer for over 20 years and still in good shape. I even did the stain when I got it. It may have even been Thompsons! The stain quickly wore off and I was back to pressure treated.

[id10t]

will rhinoliner or similar adhere to wood?

[wdfifteen]

He wants "bed wood." The specialty lumber places around here sell it. It's 1" oak or ash with a finish somewhere in between rough sawn and smooth like a lumberyard 2x4.

[Evans, Marv]

Originally Posted by fanaudical

Other than the cost - why not just deck it with pressure-treated lumber? That may be ultimately less expensive (do it once and never again).

That's what I did with my 16 ft. long trailer. Since it's stored outside, I also applied a seal coating to it.

[drkshdw]

Used motor oil. Just paint it on like paint and let it soak in. Flip the boards and do it on the other side. Attach to trailer. The wood will outlast the frame.

[look 171]

I completely forgotten about pressure treated. Cheap, that's what I would do

[Zeke]

Motor oil is a bad idea. Slippery when wet and sticks to your shoes dirtying up your truck carpets or even going into the house after climbing on the trailer.

PT is usually not the best grade so the treatment is offset by the cost of lower grade lumber. I'd go that route as well as it does get beat up.

Let it season a bit and then add a preservative. One that soaks in, that's why waiting a bit.

I like the stake pockets. Makes the trailer useful for many purposes. I'd be on the lookout for some cheap plywood to make sides.

[Dantilla]

I used solid color oil based stain when I replaced the 2x6 decking.

Since I tow with an old red/silver F-250, I painted the steel red, and used gray stain so the trailer matches the truck.

[Dantilla]

Originally Posted by Zeke

I like the stake pockets.

I also have big D rings welded into all four corners.
Best thing I added.

[A930Rocket]

2x6 or 2x8 Pressure-treated lumber. Boom. Done.

Also, paint the rest of the bare steel before you add the boards.

[rfuerst911sc]

I would get a gallon of boiled linseed oil and cut it by 15 % to 20 % with mineral spirits . Can be brushed/rolled/sprayed on . That's a good preservative and low cost . Want to add color ? Any good oil based semi transparent stain will work .

[LEAKYSEALS951]

On further review I'm thinking cocobola:

[look 171]

Hey Leak, Its Cocobolo. Muhahahaha. I made handles for old Jack Plane with that once when I was in college. Still have but never use it. What are you making with that?

[flatbutt]

What about Trex?

[Rusty Heap]

I just finished a 5x7' farm trailer with Rattle Can Truck Bed Liner.