I have the Mark K kit ( oak polished SS strips and bolts)
Lay it all out, drill it, etc. Mock up all the holes .. basicly put it together first to make sure EVERYTHING FITS AND LINES UP!!!!
Number the boards on the underside. Draw a pic of how you have them numbered to save the grief later.
Sand the boards prep for coating.
I will tell you how I did mine. Some guys will disagree and other will want to out right jump up and down.
Varnish, marine spar what ever in my own opinion
= JUNK!!!! The wood is not easy to remove or to re finish. Thus why not use automotive clear. It will not peel, or crack if correctly done. It will stand up to UV, heat, and freezing temps.
I used Sikkens clear,.. costly yes but bullet proof compared to the other stuff. I was raised around sail boats and our family owns and produces West System Epoxy. So we know a thing or two about wood and coatings. I did a test piece when I got my kit a few years ago now. I let it sit out in the sun, rain, snow, you name it. Laying in a puddle of water for a few days at a time, burried in snow. Nothing wrong with it what so ever. I was not sure that clear was the right way to go, but it has been done long before I tried it, and they are still going strong.
The only issue I see is for those that want a darker color to the wood.. I myself did not stain the wood and clear over it. I would thing though that the stain could be done first and then cleared without issue.
Get a piece of test wood from them and give it a go. See if it has a issue, if not move forward.
One of things that i see with many of these trucks at the shows or where ever is the wood top coat always looks bad, cracking, or lifting.. Clear is very tough stuff compared to a spar varnish..
BTW when the wood comes out the box will get a bit wild as far as the shape so be ready to re square the box up. I used two ratchet straps corner to corner and left them in place until I could get everything lined up and bolted into place..
Long post but I hope it is of some help. Good luck on the new bed wood.