good stain or paint or ? for 2x6 trailer decking?

[rockwind1]

I assume a lot of folks have a typical trailer to haul their tractor around. mine is a pretty nice 15k lb rated 20ft trailer, 20 ft 2x6's run the length of it. just typical pine, untreated. it's been looking a little dry and weathered and thought i would put something on it,,

anyone found the perfect stain to resist strong arizona sunlight? and the occassional monsoon?

i was thinking boiled linseed oil,, also used motor oil? or maybe just olympic deck stain.

 

[K'ledgeBldr]

Are you sure it’s not PT?
That seems rather odd that it wouldn’t be-

 

[rockwind1]

Are you sure it’s not PT?
That seems rather odd that it wouldn’t be-

like 99% positive,, i've used pt for bottom plates on houses so i know what it looks like. here is pic of trailer

 

[Garcky]

Not an easy decision. I'd probably use linseed oil, thinned with some mineral spirits. Multiple coats. Takes time to dry. Won't last forever, but you can always sand the deck and reapply. That's the classic finish, and still works darned well.

I'd skip the used motor oil. It will always remain oily and will stain clothing and just sit there. Not a good finish for anything really. It doesn't dry.

 

[Firebrick43]

Boiled linseed oil is what you should use.

Growing up we used used motor oil on two lowboys, a flat deck trailer, and half a dozen hay wagons. It does make a mess, we sprayed it on with a cheap garden sprayer. We normally applied in the fall as none were used much during the winter. It could be slightly slick for wheeled vehicles while loading on the low boy trailers but not to bad and not to foot traffic, again next spring. Never had it stain clothing and while I guess it technically does not dry it is absorbed by the wood, washed away by water, oxidized, and eaten by bacteria. It was not noticeable for the most part by the end of the next summer.

 

[Jim greengo]

I've always just painted them to match the trailer.
Easy to clean/touch up.

 

[rockwind1]

I've always just painted them to match the trailer.
Easy to clean/touch up.

i don't know,, a black trailer decking in arizona? it would probably burst into flame or melt anything i put on it.

 

[K'ledgeBldr]

like 99% positive,, i've used pt for bottom plates on houses so i know what it looks like. here is pic of trailer

Well, a pic of the topside isn’t going to do much- it’s weathered. What about the underside? Are there any mill stamps? That will tell you for sure.

I’ve seen a lot of utility trailers over the yrs- 35+yrs of construction- and there is a local trailer builder here in the metro area- they all had PT decks. It’s just the most logical material to use for a utility trailer that is constantly subjected to weather.

 

[u2slow]

Oil or wood preservative for me.

Paint gets beat up quick and becomes high maintenance.

 

[rockwind1]

Well, a pic of the topside isn’t going to do much- it’s weathered. What about the underside? Are there any mill stamps? That will tell you for sure.

I’ve seen a lot of utility trailers over the yrs- 35+yrs of construction- and there is a local trailer builder here in the metro area- they all had PT decks. It’s just the most logical material to use for a utility trailer that is constantly subjected to weather.

Here is underside. Haven’t seen any stamps

 

[K'ledgeBldr]

Here is underside. Haven’t seen any stamps

That seems strange-
Anyway, I spec’d (and personally use) TWP for decks. It will work just as well on that trailer. TWP is an oil-based penetrating stain/sealer. If you re-coat every 2-3yrs, it should last 20yrs. There is a clear version; and has UV inhibitors- unlike BLO, Thompson’s, or other type sealers.

Used motor oil will certainly do a similar job- but I think there are “better” ways to use used motor oil.

 

[Stelzer]

It is the tint in a deck stain which acts as the sacrificial barrier; something a homebrew of BLO would lack. I'd use a penetrating oil semi-trans, and plan to recoat it every 2-3 years. Stay away from film forming finishes such as acrylics or even solid stains, as they are much more prone to peeling, flaking & chipping. The only product I get from big box stores, (besides when I need BIN Shellac), is Ready Seal, and it's available in most Home Depot & Lowes stores. I do 40-70 decks & fences a year, and I switched to Ready Seal several years ago after Sikkens changed to ProLuxe back in 2015. Armstrong Clark, TWP & Bakers also would work well, and all can be easily recoated in the future.

 

[Skiff Builder]

Boat Soup: Been used for eons, easy to apply. Works too.

1 quart boiled linseed oil, 1 quart turpentine, 1/2 pint pine tar, 1/2 pint Japan Drier.

 

[solo machinist]

I use this on all my trailers twice a year for touch up. I've used this for 4-5 years with no issues.
We also stained our split rail fence with this.

 

[Jeffncs]

I used white oak treated with ATF. I hit all 4 sides with a couple heavy coats before installing the boards. Now I recoat the top semi-annually. 5 years later and the wood looks awesome.

 

[Stevewr54]

Cabot's Australian Timber Oil. My trailer decking looks as good as my patio deck. Steve

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

I use used motoroil, usually thinned with diesel fluid and I wait for hot sunny weather. I bush it on thin and let it sit in the sun for a couple days.

 

[Prospecter]

The left over paint / stain / oil I have on hand is the right finish for my trailer.