Preserving deck boards on a trailer

[MrJimi]

What is the better way without replacing them, they are pretty descent and it has some oil stains on parts of them and I was thinking about using a paint roller with some used motor oil to re coat them and pressure wash the biggest part off after it soaks in pretty good and did I mention Thompson water seal is a 2 month fix and a joke, I've used it before with not so good results
The trailer is a 1999 trailer and I live in Florida
Thanks
Jim
here are some pictures of it with oil stains

 

[crbr]

My always first and evident suggestion is to keep a trailer out of the weather and UV.

I commend you on your observations with Thompson's Products < SPIT >. I will never waste not one more copper cent on any Thompson's Product < SPIT >.

I'd pressure wash it, coat it with an epoxy or enamel / stain and enjoy the trailer.

In my opinion, motor oil, etc... will do nothing but make a mess. Once it gets on your shoes, etc, it goes everywhere else.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

I've been treating hay racks and trailer decks for ages with a mixture of used motor oil and diesel fuel. The diesel thins the oil slightly, allowing it to soak in better. I use diesel as parts cleaner in my shop. The left-over is too dirty to use in an engine, so it gets mixed in with oil and rolled on trailers. Mixture is 1/3 diesel-2/3 oil. I put a sheet of plastic down on the ground to catch drips. Then use a long nap paint roller to apply. I don't like to do it in the hottest of weather. The oil continues to "render" out of the wood. A cool, dry day works best. I usually apply 2 coats, a few days apart, and do it every fall. I've got hay racks that are 20+ years old and still in good shape. My gooseneck trailer deck is 5 years old and in like new condition. If allowed a few days to soak in, the deck doesn't end up being slick when wet. As of yet, after 35 or so years, I've never had any issues with oily boots from walking on it. The oil soaks in when mixed with the diesel fuel.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

I would just keep parking what ever is putting that oil on there but move it around some. Eventually it will cover the whole deck

I actually used a nice deck stain (cedar color) on one of my hay racks. It lasted a year. But two of my decks had a oil coating on them when I bought them and they held up great for a couple years. When you first coat them you get oil on everything if you play around but when you let it sit for a while it soaks in well.

 

[Birdhunter1]

My dad has a 16' tandem flatbed that has been outside everyday of it's life except when it had somethng on it that we parked inside. We have never treated the wood, applied anything and hauled everything on it and the wood still looks good. Every once in a while we will pressure wash it, but usually after we've hauled something pretty dirty on it or when we are going to have to haul something laying flat against the deck that we want to keep relatively clean. The boards are treated pine that were new on it in 1996 when he bought it.

 

[Diamondpilot]

The diesel and oil is the way I would do it. My buddy has 8 acres with a split rail fence around it. I give him all my used oil. He coats the fence with it and no rot in 20 years.

 

[MrJimi]

I am still thinking about the oil and diesel trick and
crbr, putting it inside would be hard, it is 32 feet long end to end and 8 foot 6 inches wide, it would make a nice table LOL
Farmwithjunk, that sounds like a good recipe, Thanks
Robert in NY, I bought the trailer used and I do not have whatever was on it to leave oil stain
DiamondPilot, That is a real fast plane, must be nice I wonder if synthetic or regular oil would make a difference? I have 4 gallons of used 5-20 synthetic that would do just fine
Thanks for all good ideas
Jim

 

[john_bud]

I'd vote for the diesel oil combo over paint. Painted surfaces are slick when wet, unless you add some granuals to it. Everyone I know with equipment has a drum of used oils and need a place to get rid of it.

jb

 

[Robert_in_NY]

I'd vote for the diesel oil combo over paint. Painted surfaces are slick when wet, unless you add some granuals to it. Everyone I know with equipment has a drum of used oils and need a place to get rid of it.

jb

Why don't they just recycle it instead of looking for a place to get rid of it at? I know in New York, any place that sells oil must take back the used oil also. Or you can have a truck come to your farm and empty your bulk used oil tank.

 

[john_bud]

Why don't they just recycle it instead of looking for a place to get rid of it at? I know in New York, any place that sells oil must take back the used oil also. Or you can have a truck come to your farm and empty your bulk used oil tank.

Many do. But, if you have a lot of equipment, painting it with old oil will keep it from rusting. Works as a lube on many moving parts of equipment that may not have zerks. Can also be used in a burner to heat the shop or barn. Recycle, re-use, re-purpose. It takes time and costs money to take old oil in to town. Using it for something on the farm saves money and time.

jb