New wood bed Question

[bennetth27]

Has anyone tried spraying auto clear coat on wood instead of varnish? any ideas would be helpful!

[jeh]

I have a buddy that owns a body shop and his dad restores old guitars, he uses automotive clear coat on the wood just like you would on a vehicle. He wet sands and buff's them out also, they are slick as glass when he's done. Back to your question, he told me that he has used automotive clear on bed wood before. The only negative is it soaks it up like a sponge.$$$$$

[am0254338]

I used it on a oak coffee table I made. Nice deep wet look and super tough, way better than varnish just expensive... I think it would look awesome on a wood bed for sure!

[jeh]

Originally Posted by am0254338

I used it on a oak coffee table I made. Nice deep wet look and super tough, way better than varnish just expensive... I think it would look awesome on a wood bed for sure!

Anything that has to do with automotive paint products is expensive. My buddy said the way the wood soaks it up it would be costly, but it sure would look good with a deep/wet look.

[hugger6933]

I will be using auto type clear on a wood bed that I will be doing for one of my truck builds. Plan to spray both top and bottom of the boards.

[Sammy]

Even marine quality stuff does considerable soaking into the wood. It is not how nice it looks after you completed the work. But what the sun and accidental abuse does after a few years. Even when you don't use your bed as a truck it is very difficult to avoid damages. What is needed is a coating that is durable to that and maintains that shine for the max amount of time as possible.

[sstaten69]

I have done a lot of woodwork, and we have used auto clear. the only problem you MAY have is that wood will react to weather differently. It will move and auto clear doesn't move as much so it may crack and peal off. Just my own experience.

[jeh]

Originally Posted by sstaten69

I have done a lot of woodwork, and we have used auto clear. the only problem you MAY have is that wood will react to weather differently. It will move and auto clear doesn't move as much so it may crack and peal off. Just my own experience.

Good point! I never thought about the wood growing and shrinking due to hot, cold, humidity, etc. Maybe a flex agent like they use for plastic bumpers is an idea???

[PanelDeland]

There is a group that builds teardrop trailers.Some of them use wood and build to look like furniture.They use an epoxy but many spray auto clear over it to protect it fromUV which most varnish and wood finishes don't do well.Here's a link to their index page.The rules over there are about like here.Be mutually respectful,keep it clean and family friendly and you'll be OK.



http://tnttt.com/

[bennetth27]

Thanks everyone! I think I will stick with the varnish or maybe paint it black. I just want something to look good but I want something to look nice for more than a couple years also!

[Fitz]

Originally Posted by sstaten69

I have done a lot of woodwork, and we have used auto clear. the only problem you MAY have is that wood will react to weather differently. It will move and auto clear doesn't move as much so it may crack and peal off. Just my own experience.

The coefficients of linear expansion K for wood and mild steel are shown below:
Wood, parallel to grain 1.7 in/in
Wood, across (perpendicular) to grain 17.0 in/in
Steel 7.3 in/in

the actual formula is K(0.000006 in. /(in. * degree F) )

Since the width is short and a factor of 0.000006 is involved, the expansion of wood across the grain is infinitesimal PROVIDED the wood is properly sealed.

Two coats of a 50/50 mix of any polyurethane wood finish and mineral spirits applied to all sides by brush or spray will stop the tendency of the Urethane automotive clear to just soak into the wood. Then spray on the automotive clear over the top using the correct reducers and hardeners.

[54belair]

If you are going use the bed, you want a finish that soaks into the wood-----If you are a just show it and not use it, then the auto cleat will be shinier---but it will chip and crack easier than a wood finish will.

[Scottcoda]

On this episode of GRZ , David replaces a wood bed and applies a auto clear coat on the wood, Looks great, check it out...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bqGb86Pl1Q