![]() |
Register or Log In To remove these advertisements. |
|
|
![]() |
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
|
![]() |
#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Hattiesburg Ms
Posts: 235
|
Is there anyway to keep a wood bed looking good?
I use my 65 as a daily driver so the bed wood spends a lot of time exposed to the elements. I put new wood in about 2 years ago and after the first 6 months it had already started to fade. Now after 2 years of mild use it just looks bad. Anyone have any luck keeping their bed looking good for an extended period?
Thanks |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Sidney,b.c.
Posts: 4,425
|
Re: Is there anyway to keep a wood bed looking good?
what wood and what finish did you use?
ron |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Hattiesburg Ms
Posts: 235
|
Re: Is there anyway to keep a wood bed looking good?
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#4 |
Moderator
![]() Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: ON, Canada
Posts: 2,156
|
Re: Is there anyway to keep a wood bed looking good?
The online tests (Mar K, or GMC Pauls, can't remember which) have shown that wood with clear finish will fail quickly on a bed that is outside. The best finish was wood that was painted with exterior paint. For that reason, I chose to make my boards from synthetic wood. No finish needed, they will last forever.
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Monroe, LA
Posts: 2,103
|
Re: Is there anyway to keep a wood bed looking good?
What company made this material? It really looks good!
__________________
Keith SOLD - 1963 C10 Short Fleet 350/700R4 4/6 drop 1967 GMC Super Custom - Short Fleet COPO concept w/427 BBC T-400 w/Doug Nash overdrive 4/6 Drop, Buddy Buckets, etc... Frame Off (In Progress) I call it "Vulgar Display of Power" 1980 Silverado Original paint 49k Original miles 4/6 drop Check out my build thread here: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post6209941 |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: sumterville, florida
Posts: 914
|
Re: Is there anyway to keep a wood bed looking good?
do what the factory did. southern yellow pine with lampblack and linseed oil
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#7 |
Moderator
![]() Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: ON, Canada
Posts: 2,156
|
Re: Is there anyway to keep a wood bed looking good?
It's TREX facia board material, not deck material. It comes in 10' lengths needed to do a long bed, and in the exact thickness (and widths) as the original boards. I did all the cuts on a radial arm saw. Boards fell into place when installing like they came from GM.
This won't be the choice for someone that is looking for that clear, glossy grain that cleared oak will give you, but for a truck that will see weather, I think it will pay off. The variation in colour on the boards that you see is water spotting. These boards sat outside, stacked, at my local hardware store for a few years before I made them an offer they couldn't refuse. ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Sidney,b.c.
Posts: 4,425
|
Re: Is there anyway to keep a wood bed looking good?
I take it that you used red oak and it has lost it's red hue. this happens to red oak. most woods do fade. some will actually immediately darken when exposed to light and the best example of that is teak(after being freshly cut) and then over a period of time will eventually go tan.
ron |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#9 |
Post Whore
![]() Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Southern Oregon
Posts: 10,384
|
Re: Is there anyway to keep a wood bed looking good?
63 C-10 uses a Horse stall mat when he hauls stuff in his truck.
![]()
__________________
1966 Chevy C10 "Project Two Tone" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=596643 1964 GMC "Crustine" semi-build:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=665056 My youtube channel. Username "Military Chevy": https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_h...fzpcUXyK_5-uiw |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: fayetteville nc
Posts: 10,338
|
Re: Is there anyway to keep a wood bed looking good?
Yep, got it at tractor supply for around $50. They are 6' x 4' and 3/4" thick. Carried my big block on its cradle with no issue at all. Didn't slide around and was easy to slide over the rubber to get it to the back of the truck.
__________________
1963 Short bed step side SBW 427 big block and borg warner T-16 HD 3 speed manual http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=519869 1963 Short bed fleetside BBW 348 1st gen big block w/Powerglide http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=619024 1964 Short bed trailer |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Oregon
Posts: 3,303
|
Re: Is there anyway to keep a wood bed looking good?
Tear it back apart, sand each board and use an Automotive clear coat ( 6 coats ) hardened and it will look great and be somewhat durable. Only as durable as the clearcoat on your car. I have seen a couple done this way and they look amazing, hold up well with the UV protection and last a lot longer than the Marine varnishes.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Leander, TX
Posts: 969
|
Re: Is there anyway to keep a wood bed looking good?
I agree with fisher. There is not a woodworking finish that is going to last outside in the elements. They all fail at some point.
Bret
__________________
64' Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=586955 |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#13 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Rathdrum ID
Posts: 1,128
|
Re: Is there anyway to keep a wood bed looking good?
I have a cut down sheet of plywood in my bed. I just did the wood last summer so we'll see how it holds up. You could also hit it with a sander in between the strips and put on a couple coats of new clear every spring. When I did mine I was going to cut a slot in the dado that would help with water draining but I got so excited about getting it done I forgot. lol
__________________
66 shorty ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#14 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Hebron, IN
Posts: 194
|
Re: Is there anyway to keep a wood bed looking good?
motor oil
__________________
Mom, I think I may have broke something. My tires keep spinning and leaving black marks every where ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#15 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Burbank CA
Posts: 3,055
|
Re: Is there anyway to keep a wood bed looking good?
Wood moves. Any coating too stiff to move with the wood will fail quickly. When neglected, ALL coatings are doomed to break down under the elements. Some go quickly, while some may last a bit longer.
The smart guy would consider the ease by which he can refresh his finish on a regular basis, avoiding failure altogether, and prolonging it's life indefinitely. Enter boat varnish. After proper initial prep and application, an occasional light sanding and quick refresher coat will keep your deck looking brilliant for as long as you care to maintain it that way. There is no such thing as a once and done clear exterior finish, so you might as well make it easy to maintain. To illustrate, go throw your coffee table into your pool and see how it does. Believe me, the classic boat guys know what's up. Last edited by oem4me; 12-05-2013 at 03:55 AM. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#16 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Maple Valley, WA
Posts: 1,913
|
Re: Is there anyway to keep a wood bed looking good?
One option would be to find someone who does Wood Graining, cut pieces of steel to the size and shape of your boards and have them wood grained in the colors you want and clear them.
__________________
Custom Painter/Restoration Specialist 1965 GMC 3/4 Ton LB SOLD? 1964 Chevy El Camino in full restoration 1991 Chevy S10 288K+ miles 2nd Owner SOLD 2020 RAM 1500 Warlock |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#17 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Oregon
Posts: 3,303
|
Re: Is there anyway to keep a wood bed looking good?
Several other options here: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=402718
I took mine apart after it faded out, started to cup rtc. And individually linex'ed ( 2 part spray on plastic bedliner) each board, and reassembled with the stainless strips and bolts. You can see the wood grain through most of it as the weather had really gotten to the boards before I sprayed them. The product can be dyed before sprayed or top coat painted just after sprayed for a long lasting color option. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#18 |
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 1,034
|
Re: Is there anyway to keep a wood bed looking good?
Kieth, did you brush on the paint(s) or spray? Looks nice.
__________________
WANTED: * 60-66 Chevy and GMC FACTORY PHOTOGRAPHY (scans) of pickups and carryalls. Custom Camper Club-- Own a 65-66 Custom Camper? Join us at: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/g...hp?groupid=117 |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#19 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Posts: 1,925
|
Re: Is there anyway to keep a wood bed looking good?
Thanks,
We brushed it on and sanded between coats. It still looks good but since I use it all the time we installed livestock trailer mats over the floor to keep the floor from getting scratched up..........and I also installed a tonneau cover to keep the weather out. http://kieth.smugmug.com/Trucks/66-GMC/i-vfHng9N |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#20 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Burbank CA
Posts: 3,055
|
Re: Is there anyway to keep a wood bed looking good?
Once finished, covering the floor with a mat can save it from abuse and prolong durability, as long as you are willing to remove the mat if the bed gets soaked from heavy washing or rainfall. It should do ok with getting wet, but really needs to dry out afterwards. I know because I once blew a nice original bed by leaving my mat in place after a heavy rainstorm. I lifted the mat several days after the storm had passed to find mold had gone wild under there. From that point, the nice bed turned to junk within a few months. Duh, lesson learned.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#21 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: joshua tree ca.
Posts: 1,484
|
Re: Is there anyway to keep a wood bed looking good?
one thing i did not see (maybe i missed it) is you need to seal/paint both sides especially you guys in wet country the cupping you get is water soaking in the under side most likely
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#22 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Edmond, Ks
Posts: 595
|
Re: Is there anyway to keep a wood bed looking good?
For stuff that is exposed to the elements I've been using Rustoleum Spray on bed liner. it's easy to touch up so scratches when they do happen are just a matter of another spritz of paint.
I havent tried it yet (not to bed wood yet) but my thoughts are to get some good oak, coat it with preservative, and spray it down with rustoleum bedliner. itll be black like original but stand up to the weather like paint. And it'll be tough enough to use as a truck too. Just give it another little spray when things gouge it too deep.
__________________
Step by steps: Remove primer to reveal original paint Rebuild a carburetor See My Build - Cecilia! ![]() Some people are like slinkys. Not worth much but funny as heck when pushed down stairs. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Bookmarks |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|