Replies

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   Guest_ | Feb 04, 1999 10:44pm | #1

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   Linseed Oil and Turpentine mixed 75/25. Reapply once a year. It's what my grandad always used! Now with the plastic liners I use Armour All!

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   Guest_ | Feb 05, 1999 12:05am | #2

   *Whatever you do don't use any kind of varnish. It doesn't last outdoors in full-time full sun.

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   Guest_ | Feb 05, 1999 09:03am | #3

   *As someone thinking of building a modest boat this spring I've read up on epoxies and I think these may be valid for your purposes. Check this site.www.westsystem.com

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   Guest_ | Feb 06, 1999 08:49am | #4

   *Ken I agreed with JD ont the marine approach to your problem. We used a marine finish on some oak doors three years ago and after just stopping by there I was impressed with the way the doors still looked.Bill CurryCurry Construction

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   Guest_ | Feb 09, 1999 12:21am | #5

   *I've read that raw Linseed Oil(rather than boiled) is the best for outdoor wood aplications if you've got the time to wait for it to cure. I don't recall how long it takes. At least a week I think.Steve

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   Guest_ | Feb 09, 1999 12:32am | #6

   *Epoxies are just the ticket for fiberglasssing a project (such as a boat), but from what I have read, they breakdown under UV light. What you might want to consider is Spar varnish - the stuff they use on boats. Good luck.

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   B.Ketter | Feb 09, 1999 07:02am | #7

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   I've found that a thin coat of STEEL works best on a pick-up truck bed, just the way the factory does now in the modern era. Sorry, had to say it, been biting my tongue for too many days on this one.

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   david_sorg | Feb 10, 1999 02:37am | #8

   *Each of the above answers have some virtue (in my opinion). Linseed oil is an easy to use material with very easy repair to scratches, etc. It has a close-to-the-wood appearance with little or no film build. Raw oil is a bit more flexible than boiled, but heavy items may stick to it slightly on hot days (including butts). Unfortunately oil offers almost no protection against standing water or sun bleaching. Spar varnish is linseed oil with resins (alkyd) added. Several coats give a lovely deep film with UV sun protection, but coverage must be thorough or water penetration will make ugly stains and lift the finish. Figure to sand lightly and one new coat each year. Epoxy is a pain to use, but offers the best moisture protection if the wood is encapsulated. It needs to be topcoated with varnish for UV protection or it will break down pretty quickly; otherwise lasts nearly forever. It's difficult to blend a repair area, unlike the oil or the varnish.I would recommend the spar varnish alone if the truck mostly gets light use and stays in a garage, the oil for the workin' kinda truck where appearance is secondary, and the epoxy/varnish if it sits outside but needs to look good anyway. I would equate the steel vs. wood with the way the French people live... you got a spouse, and then there's your lover...

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   Ken_McKay | Feb 10, 1999 02:37am | #9

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