finishing bed wood - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**kwmech** · 08-02-2003, 12:34 AM

Allright I am getting ready to do the bed on my 68 longhorn and I have been talking to various people on what would be best to put on the oak that is going to last without continuos upkeep.
Who has first hand experience and what works and what doesn't?

OhioDan · 08-02-2003, 04:05 AM

I used a "Marine Grade" polyurethane. It had a hi UV rating to protect it from the sun. It's for a boat. ( so much for the water problem ) I've put about 6-7 coats on it as of right now. Wet sanding between each coat with 400 grit paper. It's now ready for the final sanding and polishing.

**kwmech** · 08-02-2003, 11:37 AM

Looks nice, but how user friendly is that going to be? Do you plan on showing or using your truck? Reason I ask is because years ago I did the bed on a show truck with varnish and it was one of the biggest mistakes I ever made.

palallin · 08-02-2003, 12:17 PM

What was the original finish? I will actually be using mine for hauling, and that slick-as-glass surface would not be good. Besides, even marine anti-IV varnish isn't all it's cracked up to be: you should see the transom of my boat.

**Classic Heartbeat** · 08-02-2003, 01:14 PM

GM just sprayed automotive paint on the boards to match the color of the truck. WES www.ClassicHeartbeat.com

**kwmech** · 08-02-2003, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by WES
GM just sprayed automotive paint on the boards to match the color of the truck. WES www.ClassicHeartbeat.com

You are correct and of course for max protection a good quality oil base exterior paint would be the best. But I want to [like every one else] customize. I have heard that there are some good quality oils out there, have been told by some old school finish carpenters to use an exterior type oil such as a marine oil. I may go this route. I figure if I don't like it I can still apply an oil base poly urethane over the top of it.

Brewski* · 08-02-2003, 03:35 PM

If I were to put a wood bed on my truck (and I am going to). I will make sure the wood is dead hard: Maple, Walnut, or even Bamboo. Yes, I said bamboo. Harder than Maple and only slightly softer than Walnut and stunningly beautiful. Big plus with the Bamboo is that it is a grass and does not absorbe water after it dies. Finish on any of the above boards would be the ROCK hard Hammer Tested Tough "Glisten PC" from POR. I have painted carbon fiber speedskating boots with it for over a year now and when dry (4 days) it is rock hard and is tougher than any epoxy clear coat that I have seen (and I have seen them ALL). I am going to start doing several dash parts in Carbon and hope to have bed strips custom made in Bamboo before the Christmas holiday season. If all goes as planned they will be available for shipment in the spring.

71Derelict · 08-02-2003, 09:01 PM

The finish in the previos post by brewski sounds pretty promising. If you are going to use any type of oil to finish the wood bed just realize that you will have to re-apply it at least 1 to 2 times per year. Just my .02

**kwmech** · 08-03-2003, 12:06 PM

I'm thinking that reapplying once or even twice a year would not be that big of a deal. With a 2'' wide brush would take about what 1/2 hour to 45 minutes? and then just walk away, don't have to worry about a lot of sanding or prep. just a thought. Anyone else?

Benrs86 · 08-03-2003, 10:49 PM

dude i put oak in my daily driver. huge mistake. had to cover it to keep it nice so you cant see it unless the covers up and now i cant throw anything in the back...the wood and everythingn added up to about 800 bones. it was bruce horkey though

mtdave2 · 08-03-2003, 11:18 PM

i think they were painted from the factory. my longhorn had paint on the wood and it had a camper on it from day one.. ????

08-02-2003, 12:34 AM	#1
kwmech Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colfax-California Posts: 8,393	finishing bed wood Allright I am getting ready to do the bed on my 68 longhorn and I have been talking to various people on what would be best to put on the oak that is going to last without continuos upkeep. Who has first hand experience and what works and what doesn't?

08-02-2003, 04:05 AM	#2
OhioDan Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: New Carlisle, Ohio,USA Posts: 1,404	I used a "Marine Grade" polyurethane. It had a hi UV rating to protect it from the sun. It's for a boat. ( so much for the water problem ) I've put about 6-7 coats on it as of right now. Wet sanding between each coat with 400 grit paper. It's now ready for the final sanding and polishing. Attached Images __________________ LIFE AIN'T EASY WHEN YER FAT AND GREASY! GMC= Got More Class! 1970 GMC LWB, Fleetside, 350/4spd, Flowmaster "40's", 2002 GMC 16" Rallies, cowl hood,and added a bunch of options that weren't there when I started.

08-02-2003, 12:17 PM	#4
palallin Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: St. James, MO Posts: 1,239	What was the original finish? I will actually be using mine for hauling, and that slick-as-glass surface would not be good. Besides, even marine anti-IV varnish isn't all it's cracked up to be: you should see the transom of my boat. __________________ '69 Longstep K-10: 327/SM465/T-221/Closed Knuckle Dana44/12-bolt.

08-02-2003, 01:14 PM	#5
Classic Heartbeat Project Junkie! Fishing Poor!! Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Olympia,Wa. 98512 Posts: 10,770	GM just sprayed automotive paint on the boards to match the color of the truck. WES www.ClassicHeartbeat.com __________________ On-line catolog Classic Heartbeat Pickup Parts WEHEPP@comcast.net Call us Toll Free (888) 338-2502 Like Us on Facebook No appointment necessary. 72 BB Chevy Custom Deluxe / Custom Camper 67 I-6 (Soon to be 5.7 LS1) Panel 68 BB Chevy Short Bed 72 6.0 LQ9 Short Bed Chevy 4X4 Olympia's fastest growing truck parts supplier. Olympia's home for Wayward Chevys

08-02-2003, 03:35 PM	#7
Brewski* Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Rocky Mount, MO Posts: 1,293	Alright Here Goes... If I were to put a wood bed on my truck (and I am going to). I will make sure the wood is dead hard: Maple, Walnut, or even Bamboo. Yes, I said bamboo. Harder than Maple and only slightly softer than Walnut and stunningly beautiful. Big plus with the Bamboo is that it is a grass and does not absorbe water after it dies. Finish on any of the above boards would be the ROCK hard Hammer Tested Tough "Glisten PC" from POR. I have painted carbon fiber speedskating boots with it for over a year now and when dry (4 days) it is rock hard and is tougher than any epoxy clear coat that I have seen (and I have seen them ALL). I am going to start doing several dash parts in Carbon and hope to have bed strips custom made in Bamboo before the Christmas holiday season. If all goes as planned they will be available for shipment in the spring.

08-02-2003, 11:37 AM	#3
kwmech Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colfax-California Posts: 8,393	Looks nice, but how user friendly is that going to be? Do you plan on showing or using your truck? Reason I ask is because years ago I did the bed on a show truck with varnish and it was one of the biggest mistakes I ever made.

08-02-2003, 09:01 PM	#8
71Derelict Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Patrick AFB Florida Posts: 25	The finish in the previos post by brewski sounds pretty promising. If you are going to use any type of oil to finish the wood bed just realize that you will have to re-apply it at least 1 to 2 times per year. Just my .02 __________________ 71 C/10 Short Wide 2/3 drop, 383/350/3.08 posi in various states of repair growing into 4/5 drop 383/700R4

08-03-2003, 12:06 PM	#9
kwmech Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colfax-California Posts: 8,393	I'm thinking that reapplying once or even twice a year would not be that big of a deal. With a 2'' wide brush would take about what 1/2 hour to 45 minutes? and then just walk away, don't have to worry about a lot of sanding or prep. just a thought. Anyone else?

08-03-2003, 10:49 PM	#10
Benrs86 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Brandon, SD, USA Posts: 1,292	dude i put oak in my daily driver. huge mistake. had to cover it to keep it nice so you cant see it unless the covers up and now i cant throw anything in the back...the wood and everythingn added up to about 800 bones. it was bruce horkey though Attached Images __________________ Brandon, SD 69 GMC 1/2 ton 2wd wide long bed with wood 3 on the tree 350 engine 4 bolt main rv cam AIM = Alphray04

08-03-2003, 11:18 PM	#11
mtdave2 newly minted old timer Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Hudson WI Posts: 3,507	i think they were painted from the factory. my longhorn had paint on the wood and it had a camper on it from day one.. ???? __________________ ____________________________________________ 72 c20 longhorn 65k org miles and counting! 69 k10 Suburban



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.