Bed Wood Stain/Paint Advice

[LDO]

The wife got me a Mar-K bedwood kit for Christmas and I'm trying to figure out what and how to proceed.

I know I want it a semi-gloss red-ish color and I still want to be able to see the wood grain in it.

My truck is semi-gloss black outside with a (blood) red grille and some more red on the tailgate. It is gray, black & red inside.

It may be difficult to see it in pictures but I would like to go with a similar red for the bedwood.





Let me know what you guys think and any paint/stain recommendations.

thanks in advance.

[LDO]

Dang, nobody?

[WhippinSaw]

Going to do redo the bed in my truck soon too, Take a look at post 40, tazattitude got the grain to show through nicely http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...cl+wood&page=2
Haven't seen a red bed yet, maybe you could paint your old one red before you take it out to get an idea how it would look, Also take a look here.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...t=modified+bed
Nice truck, post some more pics when u get ur done,

[jayoldschool]

The main deciding factor will be how your truck is going to be used and stored. If it's inside a garage all the time, you can stain it anyway you want. If it's going to be outside exposed to the weather, your options for long lasting wood protection are extremely limited.

[Clyde65]

go get you some Oak planks and test some red stain out, get it close to your liking and the clear over it about 5 times. I have seen some Mesquite wood stains that look real nice with clear over it. just a thought though.

look here....http://www.minwax.com/wood-products/stains-color-guide/

[oem4me]

Much like Jay suggested, it's use and exposure should have a lot to do with what products you choose. A full blood red deck might be awesome, but it also could turn out to be a bit much. Consider a red grain filler. That is, a thickened, colored paste which is worked into the pores/grain and let dry. The surface of the wood is then scraped or sanded clean, leaving red in the grain. Kinda subltle, yet showy enough. Regardless, final finish should be done with a suitable exterior grade product, which is easily renewable.

[earl84]

Nice gift from your wife, sure is better than socks and underwear, haha.
I like oem4me's idea. I think a full red bed might be a bit much, but that's my taste, and it's your truck. The exterior clear is a good idea, even if it will spend it's life in the garage. You will more than likely be caught at some point in the rain, so why not take care of it in the first place.
BTW, nice truck, and thanks for serving. I'm retired Army myself.

[LDO]

I was planning on going with black rails in between the boards but I agree, solid red may be too much.

truck will be garage kept but I do drive it (in and out of rain) and plan to protect the finish once it's done.

OEM4ME,
never heard of a grain filler, any more info on this?

thanks everyone, I was beginning to think I smelled funny or something with Zero responses!

Earl84 you are very welcome sir. Just retired after 29 years. Thank you for your service as well.

[ljackson]

Did you see the info on Mar-k's site? Lots of good reading. I went with an extreior marine varnish 4 years ago. The truck stays outside. It needs to be redone.

http://www.mar-k.com/installation_hints.aspx

http://www.mar-k.com/wood_finish_testing_i.aspx

http://www.mar-k.com/wood_finish_testing_ii.aspx

[61 apache 10]

I'm working on the wood for my bed right now. I'm doing it in Black Walnut and all the boards are book matched. I ripped each pair out of 2 1/2" thick planks.

I chose West Systems marine epoxy, 105 resin with 207 hardener. It drys perfectly clear. It's not cheap but as far as I can tell, it's the best system on the market. There are tinters available for the epoxy so you can do a candy apple effect. Check it out at a marine supplier.

What ever you decide to finish the wood with, I think it's very important to seal all surfaces to prevent warping.
Hope this helps

[60ShortStepGMC]

One option nobody else has mentioned is linseed oil mixed with an oil based paint of your chosen color.

[LDO]

Originally Posted by 60ShortStepGMC

One option nobody else has mentioned is linseed oil mixed with an oil based paint of your chosen color.

And what will that do, turn a paint into a stain?
I'm not trying to be a smart-a** I don't know too much about wood-working and stuff....

[oem4me]

Originally Posted by LDO

OEM4ME,
never heard of a grain filler, any more info on.

I'd just google "colored grain filler" and read up. Or watch on YouTube. I believe there are nearly as many ways to go about it as there are colors in the rainbow. Some methods as simple as adding universal tint to standard drywall compound.
Good luck and have fun. Post some pics when you are done.

[kieth]

When you look and read all the information on the Mar-K website you find the only thing that holds up is Black finish on Pine. We bought #3pine at the local lumber yard, cut our own wood per Mar-Ks' dimensions...cost $55.00 then painted the wood with POR15 (black) then bought UV inhibited black latex at home depot,.....has been installed for 3 years and it still looks like new. (since the wood was so cheap I opted for polished SS fasteners and runners.....it looks pretty nice)

[padresag]

this fellow has good products and should be able to help you
http://homesteadfinishingproducts.co...t-liquid-dyes/
ron

[jayoldschool]

If you want redish that will stand up outside, you can go with TREX fascia board. I chose grey to look like weathered wood.

[60ShortStepGMC]

Originally Posted by LDO

And what will that do, turn a paint into a stain?
I'm not trying to be a smart-a** I don't know too much about wood-working and stuff....

Linseed Oil usually dries to an amber tint. Add color to change the tint. For example, some 47-72 factory wood beds were finished with lindseed oil and lamp black.

[LDO]

Wife already bought me a wood kit though..

[jayoldschool]

Damn, I forgot that. I also didn't realize how giant that pic was (and now I can't edit). Sorry, guys. Mods, feel free to nuke that pic.