My new wood bed.

[stesch_c10]

After picking up the truck and loading my dog one time, I knew it was going to need a new floor. (Holes and splinters suck) I've read many threads and websites and finally decided on a plan.

Picture of Dog. His name is Omen



I started to tear it apart and found out that its going to be easier to cut the bolts, rather then soak them in skunk p*ss and try to unscrew them.


I decided to hide the bed bolts under the wood, as well as cut all the pieces of wood the same width. I also decided that this truck will be used to haul things (like it was suppose to) and I have a construction company. So from time to time it will haul wood, materials and tools.

So with that plan I just went with #2 Pine 1x8x10' (I still don't know why gm didn't make it 96" long, an even 8', why the extra 1"!)
Anyway.


I then ripped the 1X down to the correct size to make them all even. Then followed GMC Pauls edge measurements. I made the cuts with a wobble blade.
Then jigsawed out the wheel tubs, drilled the holes for everything, then routered out the backsides of the boards for the bed bolts.


Then I taped off the topsides and spray painted the undersides with truck bed liner.


The thing I kind of worried about the most was what kind of finish/look did I want it to have. I looked at what everyone else was doing but couldn't find the right combo of everything that I wanted. Pine wood, black rails and red/orange truck. I didn't want to have a super nice wood finish because I knew it would be scratched and used. But I didn't want to go simple and throw plywood in, and paint it.

So instead of trying to decide on a stain for the pine, I decided to 'Burn' the wood. Took a plumbing torch and passed over it until the grain started to show through.


And this is the end result with just burnt wood.

[low6four]

Wow! Nice job on burning each board evenly. Really going to look nice

[stesch_c10]

Then I started on the old rails. I got some wire wheel's for clearance from menards and only burned up two of them haha.




Took them down to bare metal, sprayed them with primer and then shot them with 2-3 coats of truck bed liner. It they scratch or chip it will be an easy touch up. But again, it's not a show truck.



So then it was back to the wood, I kept reading to use a "Marine Grade" clear for the finish. Holds up the weather and blocks the UV rays. So I found this stuff.



I think it said 3 coats minimum and should only take 3-4 hours to dry per coat, I don't know if it was the weather or what but it took almost 12 hours
for each coat to dry. I was getting a little tired of waiting for the crap to quit being tacky.

This is after the first coat.


I ended up putting on 4 coats and did not sand between any of them. If I wanted to go the glass look, I definitely would have, But did not see a need to. I bought all new galvanized carriage bolts, nuts and washers and started to install it by myself... well after awhile you just realize you can't do it by yourself. So I convinced the wife to help and got it all put together in a couple hours.




I personally think it looks too "fancy" for the rest of the truck, BUT... oh well. won't take long it there will be dust and dirt on it.

[zach_carver]

That looks beautiful! I don't care if it's too nice or not have I love it! Job well done my friend

[Samz]

That came out awesome! Great job!

[Willie 66]

That bed wood looks awesome, especially with the burn look. I really like the bedliner on the strip idea too. I'll have to file that idea into my mind's "Things to Remember" folder.

[divideoverflow]

Nice looking bed! I wish my deck looked like that ;-)

[TJ's Chevy]

Very nice!

[Mathew21]

Nice job!

[LostMy65]

Very nice.
Go pick up a load of gravel. :-)

[earl84]

That looks great! I wondered about the 97" as well, especially when I had to pay the extra for 2 feet of wood when I needed 1" of wood. But I have recently hauled some 8' wood and really appreciate how easy it is to fit and close the tailgate. Since you'll be hauling wood, I think you'll quickly come to love that extra 1".
Again, very nice!

[ChrisDollins]

Wow that turned out good. Love the burnt grain.

Chris

[mjh1965]

That looks really good . I like the boards all the same size .

[stesch_c10]

Originally Posted by earl84

Since you'll be hauling wood, I think you'll quickly come to love that extra 1".
Again, very nice!

haha Thats what she said.

Even with my 08 silverado and the short bed, i've learned to put the wood in at an angle to close the tailgate. but yes it would have been nice for the extra inch on the newer trucks too.

[ImpalaJim]

gorgeous!!!

[aerotruk63]

If you look at railway bridges, they burn the wood to act as a preservative.

[Chevy Fleetside]

Looks good.

I bought all the wood I needed to do my bed. I brought it to the truck and loaded it up. I noticed they were short and pretty much walked right back in and returned the wood but didn't pick out any new stuff so for now I will have a piece of plywood over nothing in my truck. Time to get cracking on that.

[RANDY COX]

WOW that came out great, super nice job, I would still be afraid to haul anything in fear of messing it up....guess I'll leave the metal in mine for now..

[65 C20]

Nice job on the bed wood.
But I don't think Omen has to worry about splinters sitting in the front seat. LOL