Hey ya'll, it's been awhile since I've popped in (trucks been running great since the carb rebuild BTW ).

Noticed the other day that the finish on my wood bed is starting to peel, so I'm starting to plan ahead for refinishing it. The previous owner had a cap over the bed, so I'm guessing he didn't use a high end finish, cuz it was looking fine before I pulled of the cap 6 months ago.


My thinking is to just sand it down to bare wood and use a penetrating oil finish (tung oil or some such thing) instead of a topcoat poly type finish. That way it'll just kind of age nicely instead of looking scratched and chipped with age (works in my head). And I can just apply more every month or so to keep it going.

Thoughts? Anyone that's done this before and has seen what works?

Thanks ya'll. Stephen.

 

The best wood finishing product I have found is a 50-50 mix of tung oil..and Marine Spar Varnish. Make sure to get the best of both..Apply with a clean rag..and RUB it in..I would do 3-4 coats..

 

Yes, sounds like a variant of "Danish Oil": Danish oil - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

It should give a really pretty and fairly tough finish.

 

To save some re-finish time after you stain it, just throw in a rubber mat when you plan on hauling anything.

 

Cool, thanks guys

One of these days when I've got time I'll have to get started with it. I'm not sure how the wood looks underneath the existing finish, so I haven't decided if I'll end up staining it before the finish or not, but that'll be seen to.

Labhound, what are you thinking? I can't think ahead like that!


Thanks ya'll, Stephen.

 

My Dad replaced the wood with treated plywood years ago, I may use oak instead, would really like to use some of the Black Walnut he has on his property.

 

Dont forget to do the bottom of the boards as well