Cleaning up the bed - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

denverslim · 10-23-2017, 08:43 PM

Started cleaning up the bed on the '66 C-20 today. Wondering what you guys have done with one in this condition. Most of the wood is still presentable--a few warps and cracks, looking more for preservation and care than just superficial looks.

Also, some pretty mysterious bolts are at the four corners of the bed. No doubt something to do with the camper hold down but I can't see it. 4 pairs of 1/4 bolts through the bed at the four corners. These are in addition to the obvious camper hold-down clips...slim

oem4me · 10-24-2017, 01:36 AM

Actually, you don't need to do much. Perhaps a light scrubbing with a not too stiff brush and a mild detergent will get some of the dirt off, but after that the wood will be fine left alone. Don't fall into the trap of thinking that it needs to be totally sealed to last. That type of wood (southern yellow pine) is quite durable and rot resistant without any help.
I absolutely can tell you what NOT to do, and that is cover it up with a bed mat of some sort that does not breathe. Getting wet is no problem, even soaking wet, if allowed to dry after. Staying wet is where problems start.
I personally wasted a decent bed like yours once by attempting to protect it. Covered it with a heavy rubber mat and thought I did good until lifting the mat sometime after a heavy rain season. White hairy mold was everywhere and it went downhill fast from there.
Lesson learned: If it gets wet, just let it dry.

LostMy65 · 10-24-2017, 04:13 PM

What was the original treatment that the wood got from factory?

oem4me · 10-24-2017, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LostMy65

What was the original treatment that the wood got from factory?

Black paint.

LostMy65 · 10-24-2017, 04:46 PM

I bumped a couple threads on topic.
They might help you.

ImpalaJim · 10-24-2017, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oem4me

Black paint.

Personally I hate black paint on the wood I would deck wash the wood paint the strips and put on some Australian timber oil but that's just me

wahl4m · 10-25-2017, 09:55 AM

i like the black BUT ?? what does the australian timber stuff look like ?? dark -light ? curious ? thanks mike

LostMy65 · 10-25-2017, 04:11 PM

Similar topic here:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ad.php?t=74772

10-23-2017, 08:43 PM	#1
denverslim Registered User Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: denver colorado Posts: 67	Cleaning up the bed Started cleaning up the bed on the '66 C-20 today. Wondering what you guys have done with one in this condition. Most of the wood is still presentable--a few warps and cracks, looking more for preservation and care than just superficial looks. Also, some pretty mysterious bolts are at the four corners of the bed. No doubt something to do with the camper hold down but I can't see it. 4 pairs of 1/4 bolts through the bed at the four corners. These are in addition to the obvious camper hold-down clips...slim Attached Images

10-24-2017, 01:36 AM	#2
oem4me Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Burbank CA Posts: 3,055	Re: Cleaning up the bed Actually, you don't need to do much. Perhaps a light scrubbing with a not too stiff brush and a mild detergent will get some of the dirt off, but after that the wood will be fine left alone. Don't fall into the trap of thinking that it needs to be totally sealed to last. That type of wood (southern yellow pine) is quite durable and rot resistant without any help. I absolutely can tell you what NOT to do, and that is cover it up with a bed mat of some sort that does not breathe. Getting wet is no problem, even soaking wet, if allowed to dry after. Staying wet is where problems start. I personally wasted a decent bed like yours once by attempting to protect it. Covered it with a heavy rubber mat and thought I did good until lifting the mat sometime after a heavy rain season. White hairy mold was everywhere and it went downhill fast from there. Lesson learned: If it gets wet, just let it dry.

10-24-2017, 04:13 PM	#3
LostMy65 But Found Her 25yrs Later! Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Oregon City, Oregon Posts: 10,530	Re: Cleaning up the bed What was the original treatment that the wood got from factory? __________________ I lost my 65 - Found it 25 years later: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=426650 66 C20 Service Truck: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=428035

10-24-2017, 04:46 PM	#5
LostMy65 But Found Her 25yrs Later! Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Oregon City, Oregon Posts: 10,530	Re: Cleaning up the bed I bumped a couple threads on topic. They might help you. __________________ I lost my 65 - Found it 25 years later: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=426650 66 C20 Service Truck: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=428035

10-25-2017, 09:55 AM	#7
wahl4m Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: norwalk,iowa,usa Posts: 921	Re: Cleaning up the bed i like the black BUT ?? what does the australian timber stuff look like ?? dark -light ? curious ? thanks mike

10-25-2017, 04:11 PM	#8
LostMy65 But Found Her 25yrs Later! Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Oregon City, Oregon Posts: 10,530	Re: Cleaning up the bed Similar topic here: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ad.php?t=74772 __________________ I lost my 65 - Found it 25 years later: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=426650 66 C20 Service Truck: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=428035

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