preserving a wood deck trailer?

[rumblefish]

im looking at a 18' trailer with a wood deck. its only 2 years old, but im wondering if there are any tricks i can do to keep the deck from rotting, or at least prolong it as long as i can. supposedly the lumber is pressure treated, but i dunno for sure. thanks in advance-

jeff

 

[Rattler]

You can treat it the same as you would a deck, or paint the wood. Both ways will prolong the life of the wood. Randy

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

I heard to stay away from products with silicone like Thompson's Water Seal. Someone suggested 75% linseed oil mixed with 25% mineral spirits, which will carry the linseed into the wood. Haven't tried it myself though. Someone else recommended Superdeck

 

[duckcarvr]

we used to use linseed oil once a year, more often won't hurt. but do top-bottom and cracks. worked for us. robert

 

[steved]

I just hose mine down with water repellent... just like a deck. Do it every year, even though the trailer hasn't moved in almost that long.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

we used to use linseed oil once a year, more often won't hurt. but do top-bottom and cracks. worked for us. robert

YUP - for years, anything wooden for outdoor exposure here is first coated thoroughly with a 50/50 mix of Linseed oil and Copper Sulphate (I think it's Sulphate - anyway, the green oily stuff used on posts and such for preservative) - and at times, when it's a good buy, I also add something like Thompson's water seal. But the actual main benefit is from the linseed oil.



We always use the above, even on stuff to be painted in final form - and I honestly can't think of any rotting or deterioration issues with stuff we have built since starting that practice - but we do also re-coat every year or 2, depending on weather and wood/deck condition - rolls on easily with a thick-napped paint roller on larger surfaces - real fast and easy.

 

[Grizzly]

I've had the best success with Penofin Oil Wood Finish. Click on Penofin.



Much better then Linseed Oil and thinner. I would never recommend Thompson Water Seal, as I believe it is the biggest joke in the paint industry.

 

[The patriot]

I'd like to also add, dont let leaves & such sit on the wood especially if it's wet.

If at all possible string up a tarp over the wood deck with enough of a gap so as to let the air circulate under it, but keep rain and debris off of the wood.

I know this is not always possible or practicle.

 

[Jumbo Jet]

Do not paint it. A good paint job will hold in moisture and speed up the rot process.

 

[MMeier]

I use a 50/50 mix of BOILED linseed oil and lacquer thinner. Mix it up in my 2 gallon pump sprayer and go to it. Treated my 40' GN twice a year like that.

 

[rumblefish]

i appreciate all the ideas fellas, but it looks like they arent gonna do me much good. the dirty %&^*$ sold it out from under me #@$%!

 

[CPittman]

At the risk of offending my TDR bretheren I'll just mention that linseed oil is highly flammable by itself. Mixing linseed oil and lacquer thinner is even more flammable - then spraying it - I'm just saying...



Hell, if you've got a little buzz-box welder you can throw together an angle-iron utility trailer for not much bux.



I'm thinking about getting that 'do-it-yourself' rhino-liner stuff from Auto Zone to do the wood on my trailer. Anybody try anything like that?

 

[MMeier]

Don't think the wood could breathe with the bed liner stuff on it... MIGHT create more problems then it solves. My . 02

 

[pvanwig]

My deck is @7440 feet built in 1992, I use superdeck every other year. About 4 feet of snow on it right now.

 

[Adventure Bob]

The problem with most deck products is that they dont react well with stuff you throw on a utility trailer. I haul jeeps on mine and they are usually broken; thuis the need for the trailer. Products like thompsons dont mix well with oil, atf, or gas. They tend to create a soft spot in the wood that has to be replaced. Motor oil on the other hand makes a great protectant but isn't all that environmentally conscious of a beam sealant. Linseed or another light vegie oil mixed with a solvent carrier are probably the best bet.

 

[DMcGalliard]

Save trailer deck

I have an 18' Hudson bought in 1995. Most of the damage to mine has been heavy logs and loader forks. The bad news is the only way to save the deck is to keep it in the dry. Mine is still in good shape because it is in the dry when not in use. Used motor oil works if you let is soak in and not drip thru the deck, but I am sure its use is illegal. Sorry to not be more helpful but the truth is the truth.

Dave Mc

 

[Grizzly]

I've had many years of experience with building and refinishing wood decks on patios, swimming pools and utility trailers and I've tried everything, except Thompson Water Seal which is worthless, and nothing has worked better then Penofin Oil Wood Finish. Click on Penofin.

 

[MN Cummins Lvr]

Thanks for the link Grizzly. I'll have to try it on the decking of my car trailer instead of the cheap deck stain I have been using. :-laf



Paul

 

[dclassens]

My vote is with Adventure Bob. My job is mainly with cherry farmers. They all own some sort of flat bed truck for hauling cherry tanks in the months of june july and august. I know of one farmer with about ten large flat bed trucks and they all get an oil change and then the used oil gets spread on the wooden flat bed decks. They have steel tanks dragged on them and are still in great shape. Just my $. 02



Dave

 

[CDonaldson]

I use a mix of motor oil and a cheap deck sealer. Mix them 50/50 and spray them on. My 1998 GN flatbed got that treatment the first day I brought it home, then once yearly, the deck is in excellent condition. The only reason I use the cheap deck sealant is because most all of them have some kind of UV protectant, my trailers sit out in all kinds of weather but the sun does serious damage to wood.





CD