Bed wood finish and stain

[GMtrucknut!!]

I am getting ready to finish the wood for my 55 2nd series. The gentleman whom made the wood is a cabinet maker and gave me a great deal on some extra kiln dried white oak boards. He recommended using special walnut to make the grain really stand out but I like to know what finish and whose product others have used.
I was told to use Minwax Helmsman spar uretrhane due to its capability to resist moisture and resist scratches. But if other products are available which are better suited for this application I would really like to know .

[lazypineapple]

here a interesting read about finishes from Mar-K

http://www.mar-k.com/wood_finish_testing_i.aspx

[Dan in Pasadena]

I plan to go to a boat supply shop and follow their best recommendation.

[OrrieG]

What every you end up using make sure you stain and finsh all sides and ends the same. I spend a lot of time explaining to clients that the reason their exterior deck/siding/etc. is cupping and warping is because is was only finished on one side. Moisture enters the unfinished side or end and swells making the wood move. I even paint or stain the back sides of my interior trim boards.

[GMtrucknut!!]

OrrieG, he had already recommended that as well he said to use a minimum of 4 coats of clear. After reading the mar K article looks like I will follow his direction . Thanks all!

[Old Crow]

I used 4 coats of the Minwax Helmsman. I wanted the Man-o-War, but the local place didn't have it. I thinned the first coat about 35-40% with mineral spirits. Waited a minimum of 24 hours between coats and block sanded with 220 after the first coat and with 400 between all the rest of the coats. Made sure to drill all the holes in the end boards first so I could get the varnish into them. Also made sure and coat all surfaces.
Should last plenty long as the owner won't be parking it in the sun as a rule.

[63 & 64 Bowties]

Like Dan in Pasadena said,
if you're looking for the best protection, get Marine Spar Varnish, usually only available from Marine supply stores. A little pricey, but if you think about it, it's what they use on antique wood boats that sit in water.

[Old Crow]

That Minwax Helmsman is a urethane spar varnish with UV blockers recommended for exterior wood. Man O'War marine spar varnish uses a tung oil base, also with UV blockers. Both are excellent products for the bed wood.
The Minwax urethane is a bit newer technology(and looks great on the bed). I just would have preferred the MOW because I've used it in the past with good results on a set of wooded steps I fabbed up for a '53 F100 with a flatbed instead of the normal bed.
I guess we'll see if the customer is happy with my choice.

If you're going to stain the wood before you finish it, I'd try it on the bottom of one piece that's going to get undercoated later or something. When I did the 4 coats of Helmsman, it brought the grain of the wood out nicely, and darkened the wood quite a bit. I think if I'd stained it first, it would have been too dark.

[_Ogre]

original bed wood had black paint with no clear finish and that would last for years in the weather with out any maintenance.
like everyone has mentioned marine grade finish is your best bet
though nothing will last over a couple of years if you drive it in the rain or let sun beat on it.
it will start to bubble at the edges of the bed strips and the ends of the boards.

[Dan in Pasadena]

Also, don't forget "varnish" will turn a bit more golden with age.