trailer decking stain/paint/whatever

rockwind1

Member
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 have always painted them with used oil and leave it in the hot sun for most of the day. When not using it, I keep it covered with an old rubber roof sheet. Keeping it cleaned off and out of the weather is best. I have not had the best luck with long life out of pine boards on a trailer
 
When I lived in Flagstaff I used boiled linseed oil. Has held up
well and doesnt smell of used oil like the gooseneck I bought
from a guy.
 
I agree (I have lived in Flag as well, and paint/stain is guaranteed to assist rot, not fix it. Boiled Linseed oil in two treatments 4 weeks apart would be my choice. Jim
 
For wood to rot you need 3 things. Moisture Oxygen and a
bug called fungus.

Everyone always tries to keep out the moisture to prevent rot.
Might work good on your house siding but a trailer deck is
going to get scratched. These scratches are a perfect place
for moisture to get in and the wood starts to rot.

When professionals try to prevent rot they use a chemical to
kill the bug. No bug no rot. IE pressure treated wood.

I have often wondered why Joe trailer owner doesnt follow
their lead. Things like boric acid or simple borax detergent will
kill the bug. And if it gets a scratch that one spot might rot but
it can not spread like it can under a paint scratch.
 
Some say CCA 2x6 lumber is banned.
That's fake news.
I had to special order CCA from Menards.

CCA treated boards lasted me 30 years without
stain/paint/whatever .
AC2 boards last about 11 years.
CCA is considered construction material for ground pole barn
lumber. Shop around. Go to a pole barn business and ask for
where you can get CCA 2x6s.
 
I mix diesel fuel with used motor oil and put on the
trailer boards on a hot sunny day, the diesel will help
the motor oil soak in if youll do it like that, has worked
well for me for 40 years
 
There are a number of products you could use. Some use oil but I've found it makes the deck slick to walk on when wet. You could use a
fence stain but in your environment would have to be used three or four times a year. I think I would be inclined to use 100% tung oil. It
would need to be used often at first but eventually would accumulate to where you may only need another coat every couple years.
 
I used motor oil on my deck and think it rotted faster.
Tenant put flower pots on a deck. Wood rotted under the flower pots.
I put shingles on sets for a tenant in winter so tenant would not slip on steps. A Year later I had to replace steps, wood rotted.

John, I agree trapping moisture will cause wood to rot..
 

it is a 2021 big tex trailer so the wood is brand new (or was brand new)

i personally don't know why a professional trailer manufacturer would put on untreated pine like they did instead of pressure treated

but the reality is, it is still good wood that should last quite a while and it seems a shame to replace it rather than treat it. probably cost me 500-700 to replace
 
Another vote for used motor oil and diesel. Also, I get it pretty hot to put on. When the hot mix hits the wood, the pores expand some and soak in the goo.
 
We have always used rough sawn hemlock for trailer and wagon decks. I lay the boards out under a hot summer sun and give all four sides a good soaking with a 10% diesel, 80% used motor oil mix before installing. Usually get 20-25 years out of them even when not kept under cover.
 
Used 15-40 oil gets my vote too and the price is right. I never mixed it with D. fuel like others have done but maybe
I will next time. I've put it on my manure spreader yearly with a wood floor for over 20 years and it held up good.
I've been doing the same thing to my 8 year old flat bed too. They both live outside too.
 
If it were banned for pole barn construction no one would be building pole barns.

It might be banned for the DIY guy.
None is sold at Menards, only special orders.
Menards has a company that actually makes the CCA.
 
Replacing down the road would be with Hedge or White Oak. Then I don't do anything for my semi decks. And I would not put Pine on one for love nor money. Stuff is just to heavy for pine with 12 inch cross members on it. Let alone the 18or 24 inch on most small trailers. I would want them double planked to hold the weight or ad another set of cross members. As for the Stain or oil I would refrain from the oil as it will be slippery right after for a while and then be slippery when wet for a long time. Nothing like loading a tractor and not stopping where you want to or sliding off the side. That would make new lumber look cheap.
 

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top