What to do about the wood???

[fuelpump]

Here is a picture of the wood in my newly purchased shortbox. It looks like its been varnished or treated with something. This winter I plan on taking it out and cleaning it up. But then what? What should I put on it (if anything) to keep it nice looking. What do you guys use?

[62 short step]

I would use a marine varnish that they use on boats. It holds up to salt water, should be fine in back of a pickup truck.

[NF65Fleetside]

kinda depends on how much treatment you want to give to the wood. If your super anal about perfection, your best bet would be to sand off the layer of varnish/sealant thats on there now and then re-do it with some nice wood stain and as mentioned some marine varnish to weather proof it. Sounds like a lot of work but should be able to knock it out in a weekends time with a good power sander.

[Greg63]

I stripped my peeling oak down to bare wood and used an outdoor varnish (Helmsman by Minwax) .
It has 6 coats on it and I hand sanded the boards after each coat with 240 grit sandpaper .
Three years later it still looks as good as the day I re-installed it .
Greg

[Pistonman]

I like Marine Spar Varnish.

[63 & 64 Bowties]

Originally Posted by 62 short step

I would use a marine varnish that they use on boats. It holds up to salt water, should be fine in back of a pickup truck.

First coat; thin it so it will soak in, then finish coats; full strength. Marine Spar Varnish. Home Depot & Lowes near me don't carry it. They're getting away from any oil-based paints except in rattle cans. If it's like here, you'll have to go to a "real" paint store.