Trailer deck sealer... let’s discuss

C.Berry

C.Berry

Bad News
Joined
Aug 10, 2008
Location
Blacksburg, Va
obviously we’re talking wooden deck here I’ve always used old nasty motor oil and diesel fuel bc I like the dark stain look and it’s just simply works and is the cost of diesel. Just wondering if there’s anything out now that helps with keeping wood decks lasting longer! Plan was 2x8 untreated yellow pine with oil/diesel mix...
 
Pressure wash it
Let it dry in the sun for a few days
Thompson's water seal

It works for years on porches and decks...trailers are basically the same.
 
Croatan_Kid said:
Pressure wash it
Let it dry in the sun for a few days
Thompson's water seal

It works for years on porches and decks...trailers are basically the same.
Click to expand...

Home Depot and Lowes have been giving away Thompson's lately. They changed the brand name or the packaging or something. That's what I'd use.
 
I’ve stayed away from Thompson since I started in the pressure washing company its not what it use to be back when I was a kid the new stuff seems to flake off I can’t count how many decks I had to strip pressure washing that had Thompson and it all peeled up!? May have been user error on their part I’ve not used it since I was 15 tho lol
 
C.Berry said:
I’ve stayed away from Thompson since I started in the pressure washing company its not what it use to be back when I was a kid the new stuff seems to flake off I can’t count how many decks I had to strip pressure washing that had Thompson and it all peeled up!? May have been user error on their part I’ve not used it since I was 15 tho lol
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I thought Thompson was a stain? Soaks in and prevents moisture penetration.
 
WARRIORWELDING said:
I thought Thompson was a stain? Soaks in and prevents moisture penetration.
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That’s what I always thought too... last stuff I used 18-19 years ago was stainish in consistency and soaked! The main reason I’ve always used used oil and diesel well it’s cheap and works at repelling water better than any high dollar stain I’ve ever put on a customers wood deck unless it’s a cover!
 
Old transmission fluid, give nice hint of red.....
Plus its a bit thinner then motor oil. For the deepness
Did my brother single axle trailer last summer,
i think the first coating was 10 years ago...same wood....
 
my Grandpaw always did the burnt motor oil mix....he also sprayed his gravel drive...you know to keep the dust down. The trans fluid mixed with some kero makes excellent preservative for all things bare metal in a fab shop as well. Weather it matters or not I use my own stuff because I know its not synthetic. Yeah weird and probably doesn't mean a hill of beans but I don't like handling any synthetic fluid.
 
yager said:
Old transmission fluid, give nice hint of red.....
Plus its a bit thinner then motor oil. For the deepness
Did my brother single axle trailer last summer,
i think the first coating was 10 years ago...same wood....
Click to expand...
I’ve seen this on hay trailers along with oil from my understanding mixing atf with kerosene and spraying it on thick works the best I was gonna do atf for my animal lot fencing if ole lady don’t agree to the black fence and black barn lol
 
I’ll give atf/Kero a try on my metal I keep at home I use atf with acetone for bolts after someone in here mentioned it may have been mac5005, it makes pb blaster look like water on breaking bolts!
 
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the first is my go to penetrate, the second is my go to solvent (even to prep aluminum to TIG weld) zero residue.
 
WARRIORWELDING said:
d558b59b-0c7c-4141-b4a6-1a3a74fffda8_1.849c85f5abecb3a7dd9d95c03b74484a.jpeg
31qvduvqw4l.jpg
the first is my go to penetrate, the second is my go to solvent (even to prep aluminum to TIG weld) zero residue.
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Prep steel for welding with this too? I been dumping acetone in sprayer bottles... lol
 
You could....unless its drenched in oil or I'm GTAW welding I don't get crazy with steel. But I do remove rust and mill scale.
 
Since you need new decking also, I'd suggest starting with a #1 dense treated SYP that is kiln dried after treatment (KDAT). It'll be much less prone to cupping and pulling up than the normal junk at big box stores.
Another option would be Douglas fir or red oak from a local mill. Either will last a long time on a trailer. The Douglas fir will take used oil or whatever else much better than the oak will however.
 
Jody Treadway said:
I'd suggest starting with a #1 dense treated SYP that is kiln dried after treatment (KDAT). It'll be much less prone to cupping and pulling up than the normal junk at big box stores.
Click to expand...
That's what I used. It's good shit.
 
We have a local sawmill close by I may go see what he has laying around! I’ve heard Douglas fir lasts the text of times I’ve seen it on some Early 30s tobacco trailers with 3x8 pieces that are still on the trailer in a field, I keep pondering metal flooring but damnit I like the good ole wood floor and I’m a cheap ass too lol
 
My reason for going with 2x8 was to be able to put two carrier bolts in each board for each brace to keep boards nice and flat since some wood you get these days will warp and spin upside down... smdh gonna check out 84 lumber Lowe’s and HD have let me down last two times with lumber and selection today was slim and basically looked rough cut for the treated stuff!
 
KDAT. Period.
HD and Lowe's don't sell it. 84 can special order it.
Ask and see if the carry Culpeper brand treated wood. That's who sells the premium KDAT.
 
Linseed oil is what I used on my trailer when I put a new floor on it. I put another coat on it after a year and it has been holding up about 4 years since then. This has got me thinking I should put another coat on it.
 
Jody Treadway said:
KDAT. Period.
HD and Lowe's don't sell it. 84 can special order it.
Ask and see if the carry Culpeper brand treated wood. That's who sells the premium KDAT.
Click to expand...
10-4
 
C.Berry said:
smdh gonna check out 84 lumber Lowe’s and HD have let me down last two times with lumber and selection today was slim and basically looked rough cut for the treated stuff!
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I was going to tell you to check with Reed's, but it looks like they aren't there anymore. :(
 
shawn said:
I was going to tell you to check with Reed's, but it looks like they aren't there anymore. :(
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Yeah from my understanding a lot of good local places were closing down when I moved up this way!
 
Jody Treadway said:
Since you need new decking also, I'd suggest starting with a #1 dense treated SYP that is kiln dried after treatment (KDAT). It'll be much less prone to cupping and pulling up than the normal junk at big box stores.
Another option would be Douglas fir or red oak from a local mill. Either will last a long time on a trailer. The Douglas fir will take used oil or whatever else much better than the oak will however.
Click to expand...

White oak not red.
 
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