Wood bed oil advice needed

[dads longhorn]

For 37 years I think my dad put used motor on the wood bed to preserve it. It worked, the wood is in excellent condition. For the last 5 years I've done nothing to it but wash it at the car wash. The 37 years of accumulated dust is finally coming off enough that its time to begin protecting the wood again. What to use? New motor oil? A bit flammable maybe? Another oil type that won't work against the old motor oil? Not varnish or that type of protectant. What do you recommend? Thank you in advance.
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[WIDESIDE72]

I use linseed oil on my trailer floors, relatively inexpensive and available at most hardware stores including Ace Lowes and Home Depot.
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[ole dollor]

Originally Posted by WIDESIDE72

I use linseed oil on my trailer floors, relatively inexpensive and available at most hardware stores including Ace Lowes and Home Depot.
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that sounds like a good treatment, also you could try a oil base stain , sand it down and have a little color might work o k .

[WadmalawJoe]

Any pictures Dads longhorn?
Any older pictures? I'm just curious how it looked, used motor oil would keep it dark, it probably has lightened up some from you doing nothing for 5 years. I guess the downside is the oil smell and it would be a little slippery.
I use teak oil on mine, its used on boats so I figured it would hold up well on my truck.
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[GASoline71]

Considering wood beds were painted the color of the truck from the factory... how did the motor oil penetrate through the paint?

Gary

[domeier]

We used old motor oil on my dad's '56 longbed. Mostly not on purpose.

[GASoline71]

HAHAHA! I think we've all done that a time or ten!

Gary

[dads longhorn]

gasoline71, it's 42 years old, that's how the oil soaked in! There's still a bit of paint on the wood and metal strips but not much. I don't know for a fact that dad used motor oil, i'm only guessing knowing dad. not slippery, no major smell, but the dust and greasy was pretty thick. the before and after pics don't look too different, but the wood is starting to lighten up so I can tell it needs covered with protectant. Linseed oil will probably do the trick. Do I need to thin it down at all? Enjoy the pics. The first one 2008, the second is from 2013, some lightening up is noticable.

[dads longhorn]

maybe i should paint the whole bed oil based dark olive green? hmm, then id have to paint the wheel wells, and the inside of the tailgate and bed walls, and....... arghhh. maybe i'll just oil the wood

[ole dollor]

looks like its in real good shape...looks good like that, oil it up and drive it another 40 years...

[Sillyoldman]

Linseed oil.

[WadmalawJoe]

Looks in real good shape. How does it look from below?
It looks kinda like creosote, which almost the same as used motor oil. I like the aged look. Especially for a daily driver.
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[special-K]

Linseed oil is the way to go. When I use it inside I cut it with mineral spirits to dry and seal it. In that bed I'd use it straight since you have all that New Mexico sun

[WadmalawJoe]

Usage
Linseed oils are not recommended for outdoor projects. Teak oils, which contain additives, come in a variety of blends suitable for different uses, such as indoor furniture, outdoor furniture or boats.



Read more: Google Linseed Oil Vs. Teak Oil

[dads longhorn]

Ok I did the google search on the difference between linseed and teak and linseed is recommended mostly for inside. Teak they say drys hard and can flake and chip. I don't want hard finish that will chip. So I'm Still lost. Maybe ill buy castrol 10 w and go at it! Hahaha
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[SS Tim]

Wanting to get to the bottom of this I just wrapped up a phone call with my stepfather. Being both a tree/wood expert and a rust belt resident gives us a great resource.
First thing to consider is that anything you use should be a petroleum based product.
Linseed nor teak oil are.
The reason, is you have motor oil soaked into the wood that is protecting it and the metal from moisture.
This technique is very time proven and widely known.

He suggests that you clean the bed with a rag and mineral spirits first.
Then follow it up with new motor oil diluted with mineral spirits. The spirits both thin the oil and speed drying to about a week. Try about a 3 to 1 ratio of oil to spirits and use a stiff brush to work it in.
You can use new or used oil but the new oil will be less corrosive in nature and won't darken the wood as much. Used oil has dissolved carbon, metals, acids and such. Used oil is of course free and thus the primary reason for its historical reuse as a wood protectant.

[WadmalawJoe]

Once again Tim, your the man!

As soon as I read his (Dad's Longhorn) I knew his dad was onto something. Old timers always know. Now a days that would be frowned upon, somehow, oil on our truck beds would be harmful to the environment. I think I will use it anyway and just tell people not to lick or chew on my truck bed.

[dads longhorn]

Thank you all so much for your help! SSTim, you never cease to amaze me! Really great info from a tree expert...funny, but he got it right. I'm comfortable with your suggestion since I know motor oil worked for 42 years, and is already in the wood. Easy enough to do too. Ill just thin it down a bit as you suggested.
I love this forum and all the very helpful, knowledgeable folks. Thanks to your step father ! Ill post pics of the "after" treatment.
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[Ironangel]

"If its harmful for the environment, then its probably good for your truck!"