08-02-2003, 12:34 AM | #1 |
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finishing bed wood
Allright I am getting ready to do the bed on my 68 longhorn and I have been talking to various people on what would be best to put on the oak that is going to last without continuos upkeep.
Who has first hand experience and what works and what doesn't? |
08-02-2003, 04:05 AM | #2 |
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I used a "Marine Grade" polyurethane. It had a hi UV rating to protect it from the sun. It's for a boat. ( so much for the water problem ) I've put about 6-7 coats on it as of right now. Wet sanding between each coat with 400 grit paper. It's now ready for the final sanding and polishing.
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08-02-2003, 11:37 AM | #3 |
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Looks nice, but how user friendly is that going to be? Do you plan on showing or using your truck? Reason I ask is because years ago I did the bed on a show truck with varnish and it was one of the biggest mistakes I ever made.
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08-02-2003, 12:17 PM | #4 |
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What was the original finish? I will actually be using mine for hauling, and that slick-as-glass surface would not be good. Besides, even marine anti-IV varnish isn't all it's cracked up to be: you should see the transom of my boat.
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08-02-2003, 01:14 PM | #5 |
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GM just sprayed automotive paint on the boards to match the color of the truck. WES www.ClassicHeartbeat.com
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08-02-2003, 01:57 PM | #6 | |
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Quote:
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08-02-2003, 03:35 PM | #7 |
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Alright Here Goes...
If I were to put a wood bed on my truck (and I am going to). I will make sure the wood is dead hard: Maple, Walnut, or even Bamboo. Yes, I said bamboo. Harder than Maple and only slightly softer than Walnut and stunningly beautiful. Big plus with the Bamboo is that it is a grass and does not absorbe water after it dies. Finish on any of the above boards would be the ROCK hard Hammer Tested Tough "Glisten PC" from POR. I have painted carbon fiber speedskating boots with it for over a year now and when dry (4 days) it is rock hard and is tougher than any epoxy clear coat that I have seen (and I have seen them ALL). I am going to start doing several dash parts in Carbon and hope to have bed strips custom made in Bamboo before the Christmas holiday season. If all goes as planned they will be available for shipment in the spring.
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08-02-2003, 09:01 PM | #8 |
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The finish in the previos post by brewski sounds pretty promising. If you are going to use any type of oil to finish the wood bed just realize that you will have to re-apply it at least 1 to 2 times per year. Just my .02
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08-03-2003, 12:06 PM | #9 |
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I'm thinking that reapplying once or even twice a year would not be that big of a deal. With a 2'' wide brush would take about what 1/2 hour to 45 minutes? and then just walk away, don't have to worry about a lot of sanding or prep. just a thought. Anyone else?
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08-03-2003, 10:49 PM | #10 |
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dude i put oak in my daily driver. huge mistake. had to cover it to keep it nice so you cant see it unless the covers up and now i cant throw anything in the back...the wood and everythingn added up to about 800 bones. it was bruce horkey though
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08-03-2003, 11:18 PM | #11 |
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i think they were painted from the factory. my longhorn had paint on the wood and it had a camper on it from day one.. ????
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