Need a finish for my trailer deck.

[Rebeldad1]

Trailer is a couple years old and the trailer deck needs some protection from the weather.

What do you use to protect the wood surface from the weather but not leave a slippery painted top cote?


Thanks in advance!!

 

[PILOON]

Whatever U use as a finish U can always sprinkle dry sand B4 the finish dries and that'll take care of the slipping aspect.
Were it me (and that is how I treat my wooden bed) I applied, liberally, a wood preservative from time to time.
Commercially I think operators simply rely on spilled oils to act as their preservatives.

 

[Have tractor did travel]

I've been told coal tar extract driveway sealer is used to protect floors of semi-trailers. You'd want to sprinkle some silica before it dries, and of course, expect the silica to flake off with abrasion. I use used motor oil - but that's not going to give you a non-slippery surface

 

[Paystar]

I have been using Tompson Water Seal on my wood decks but find that although water still beads on it, the wood still gets weathered looking in the sun.

A few people have told me to use linseed oil and that it is much better.

 

[mrmikey]

I use used motor oil

Same here, mines only a 4 x 8 trailer so I've no need to walk on it. I use it on the plywood floor and decking sides. !2 years old and not a bit of rot anywhere........Mike

 

[ArlyA]

We used a good deck preservative. Thompson makes a few varities and we tried there best, most expensive one. Its worked for a few years. I'd suggest any good quality deck stain with some color/stain in it.

 

[oldballs]

I use boiled linseed oil......because that's what the manufacturer recommended when new. I'm on the third deck in 22 years. Hauling gravel on the first two decks probably hastened the rot. Now, I don't haul gravel anymore and this deck should last "forever" LOL

Linseed oil brushes on easily and is non slip when dry. I try to put a coat on every year or so....My trailer is a 12 ft industrial skid steer hauler....just used occasionally by an old man.

Cheers,
Mike

 

[Gem99ultra]

I also use boiled linseed oil on my PJ 20'er. It sits outside under pine trees when not in use. I re-coat it using a roller about every 3-4 years and have no signs of deterioration at all. Be aware though, the linseed oil will turn dark, near black in short order, if the color is a problem for you.

I've found that Thomson's sealer dries out too quickly especially if out in the sun. I do like Thompson's, but not for my trailer floor.

 

[oldballs]

I'd imagine that those of us that are occasional users versus those that use their trailers almost daily have different needs for maintenance. Those that are are running equipment on/off with muddy/dirty tires/tracks probably see used oil etc as a good option.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

I am considering saw mill cypress for the tilt trailer. The pressure treated pine can be very slick when trying to load an empty tractor. Loading heading down hill solves that issue but I prefer loading on a flat place.

 

[fried1765]

Trailer is a couple years old and the trailer deck needs some protection from the weather.

What do you use to protect the wood surface from the weather but not leave a slippery painted top cote?


Thanks in advance!!

Absolute best way to "protect the wood surface from the weather" is to store the trailer inside!

 

[ArlyA]

I am considering saw mill cypress for the tilt trailer. The pressure treated pine can be very slick when trying to load an empty tractor. Loading heading down hill solves that issue but I prefer loading on a flat place.

Yes, but the treatment does wear off and be less slippery. You can also get rough treated lumber, but it will be thicker and might not fit.

Speaking of linseed oil. My folks thought regular preservative house stain was to expensive, so they used linseed oil on there house. In one word, worthless.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

When I was in high school I built a loading shute out of sawmill Cypress I believe it was 12 ft so the angle was low enough we never did put cross pieces on it for for cattle traction because they got enough friction.

 

[sklunk]

I'm thinking of trying this (but my deck doesn't need re-sealed until the spring):

ArmorRenew Wood & Concrete Resurfacer

ArmorRenew Deck Resurfacer & Concrete Patio Resurfacer is a proprietary blend of acrylic polymers and military grade resins with concrete and stone powders.

armorpoxy.com

I may also consider this one that lots of people use on docks:

Liquid Rubber Polyurethane Deck Coating

Liquid Rubber Polyurethane Deck Coating is a high-performance coating that provides a hard, durable, waterproof surface for your deck.

liquidrubberusa.com

 

[Cougsfan]

I will second boiled linseed oil. It last longer than Thompson's water seal or any common furniture wood preservative (Polyurethane, etc) and actually preserves the wood.

 

[yanmars]

I had a cypress front porch, tongue and groove and sealed. It did not last 5 years before it was rotted in many spots. Went to TREX or something similar and happy with that. Don't think it would hold weight on a trailer though.

 

[ArlyA]

I will second boiled linseed oil. It last longer than Thompson's water seal or any common furniture wood preservative (Polyurethane, etc) and actually preserves the wood.

Thompson water seal makes a variety of products. The low cost ones aren't much more than paint thinner. You need to use something made for outdoors, like a deck sealer.

 

[fried1765]

Thompson water seal makes a variety of products. The low cost ones aren't much more than paint thinner. You need to use something made for outdoors, like a deck sealer.

Cabot makes good deck sealers, but maybe a bit expensive for trailer decks.