Trailer Deck Finish

[fried1765]

Same here. Indoor storage protects the tires and the deck. Pay for storage or pay for lowered life expectancy. I just stained the deck of my new trailer with the Behr deck stain from home despot. Protects the wood and looks nice since I'm super OCD.

DITTO, on the OCD for me.
Keep my cars, and other toys inside also.

 

[Soldier415]

Was just thinking about this today. Boards on mine have dried out and turned grey after buying it last fall. Was thinking thompson's seal

 

[fried1765]

Was just thinking about this today. Boards on mine have dried out and turned grey after buying it last fall. Was thinking thompson's seal

I think you will be very satisfied with Thompson's.
I have a spruce (very soft) deck at my summer cottage, and Thompson's has given it good protection for 9 years so far.
It is really quick too, if you put it on with a garden sprayer.
I re-spray my deck every other year.

 

[oldpilgrim]

Nearly 30 years ago, i got a very used trailer with rotted 2x6 pine planks for decking. I stripped the decking off, and rebuilt the trailer. I put on new 2x6 PT planks. I've never treated it with anything and it's been outside since then. All this time later, the decking is beaten up a bit, but I figure it'll work another 10-15 years..... Longer than me, anyway.

 

[timswi]

I used an Olymic deck floor stain in solid black on mine. 2 years and it still looks good and kinda matches the trailer if that matters. less than 2 gallons did 2 coats on a 16' tandem.

 

[timswi]

Used motor oil with a mop.

You guys must be doing something to prevent a skating rink when wet. I inherited a deck at camp that the previous owner "treated" with used motor oil years before. I almost killed myself numerous times as it was like ice when wet. Needless to say, it got repurposed as a firewood storage deck and I rebuilt using PT lumber before someone really got hurt..

 

[Slowpoke Slim]

You guys must be doing something to prevent a skating rink when wet.

I'm also honestly surprised that it's not a constant issue with oil weeping back out of the wood fibers when it sits in the hot, direct sunlight. But since I've never actually done it myself, or known anyone in my life that's ever deliberately coated their deck with engine oil (several times in my racing years, I had racing buddies that "accidentally" covered their trailer decks with oil when they've blown engines...), then I have to take at face value that they say it's not an issue.

Still, I'm thinking a hot sunny day, direct sunlight, and then oil rising up out of the wood pores. Now I imagine pulling that thing in that condition down a dirt/gravel road, and then loading one of Mrs. Slim's "garage sale finds" on it, and being cursed out like "Who-Shot-John" when I got it home...

*Sends chills down my spine, brrrr.... *

:laughing:

 

[timswi]

I'm also honestly surprised that it's not a constant issue with oil weeping back out of the wood fibers when it sits in the hot, direct sunlight. But since I've never actually done it myself, or known anyone in my life that's ever deliberately coated their deck with engine oil (several times in my racing years, I had racing buddies that "accidentally" covered their trailer decks with oil when they've blown engines...), then I have to take at face value that they say it's not an issue.

Still, I'm thinking a hot sunny day, direct sunlight, and then oil rising up out of the wood pores. Now I imagine pulling that thing in that condition down a dirt/gravel road, and then loading one of Mrs. Slim's "garage sale finds" on it, and being cursed out like "Who-Shot-John" when I got it home...

*Sends chills down my spine, brrrr.... *

:laughing:

Agreed..I haul a little of everything on my trailer so the less residuals the better...My inherited deck experience has my mind made up.

 

[civilian]

You guys must be doing something to prevent a skating rink when wet. I inherited a deck at camp that the previous owner "treated" with used motor oil years before. I almost killed myself numerous times as it was like ice when wet. Needless to say, it got repurposed as a firewood storage deck and I rebuilt using PT lumber before someone really got hurt..

PT can be slippery when wet also. My deck going into the back door which is shaded gets very slippery. Have almost gone down a couple of times. Jon

 

[timswi]

PT can be slippery when wet also. My deck going into the back door which is shaded gets very slippery. Have almost gone down a couple of times. Jon

Never had PT become that slippery, maybe due to being in the shade...Microscopic stuff can grow on it I guess.

 

[civilian]

www

Never had PT become that slippery, maybe due to being in the shade...Microscopic stuff can grow on it I guess.

Which is where my back door porch is. Shaded, not much chance to dry out in damp weather, and has tendency to grow greener. Then it is time for a pressure washing. Now, my landscape trailer, with 2 x 6 PT floor boards, gets dried out and is not slippery. At least not yet. Jon

 

[Sawyer Rob]

I think you will be very satisfied with Thompson's.
I have a spruce (very soft) deck at my summer cottage, and Thompson's has given it good protection for 9 years so far.
It is really quick too, if you put it on with a garden sprayer.
I re-spray my deck every other year.

That's what's wrong with it! You have to reapply it too often...

The Behr product last a lot longer...

SR

 

[timswi]

www

Which is where my back door porch is. Shaded, not much chance to dry out in damp weather, and has tendency to grow greener. Then it is time for a pressure washing. Now, my landscape trailer, with 2 x 6 PT floor boards, gets dried out and is not slippery. At least not yet. Jon

Follow you completely:drink:

 

[tjkubota93]

Nearly 30 years ago, i got a very used trailer with rotted 2x6 pine planks for decking. I stripped the decking off, and rebuilt the trailer. I put on new 2x6 PT planks. I've never treated it with anything and it's been outside since then. All this time later, the decking is beaten up a bit, but I figure it'll work another 10-15 years..... Longer than me, anyway.

PT now is not the same as then. I know they are trying keep the world a nice place, but none of the new chemicals do their job like old stuff did.

 

[TomSeller]

Surprised no one from Colorado suggested Hemp Oil.

 

[DanHen]

PT now is not the same as then. I know they are trying keep the world a nice place, but none of the new chemicals do their job like old stuff did.

This is very true!

In the coatings industry Thompsons is a joke. Sorta like WD-40, they built a reputation a very long time ago that they just don't live up to today.
Whatever you put on your trailer or any new PT surface should wait a few months until the treatment chemicals can leach out otherwise it just sits on the surface.

 

[vsteel]

When I bought my trailer the guy who sold it used to work in a paint store for years. He said the best thing that lasted the longest on decks and fences was TWP 100. I have used it on my deck and it is 3 years old now and looks great.

TWP(R) 1 Series | TWP Total Wood Preservative | TWP Total Wood Preservative

 

[RichM752]

I have partial Blackwood decking on mine. Anyone have experience with this application? i called Blackwood to see what product they recommend and they had no answer as to what product would be compatible. I'd hate to see it start to seperate due to incompatibility.

 

[DanHen]

When I bought my trailer the guy who sold it used to work in a paint store for years. He said the best thing that lasted the longest on decks and fences was TWP 100. I have used it on my deck and it is 3 years old now and looks great.

TWP(R) 1 Series | TWP Total Wood Preservative | TWP Total Wood Preservative

Looks like a good product, high solids is good, would be easier to say if they mentioned vehicle or other components. Key takeaway though is "Minimum 1 year weathering for pressure treated" followed by good power washing and thorough dry then wet on wet coats. Should work well

30 years in the paint and coatings industry, making, selling, applying

 

[alexsbuddy]

Just wanted to say thanks for all of the replies. Lots of options to consider. Am going to use the trailer this weekend to finish up putting up hay and will then tackle finishing the deck. Really appreciate everyone's input.