Posted 2005-10-12 1:43 PM (#31635) Subject: Replacing wood flooring. What should I treat the wood with?
Veteran
Posts: 235
Location: Bucksport, Maine
I am replacing the floor in my 16' stock trailer. I purchased rough-cut hemlock planks from an "old farmer" in the area. He said to paint them with used motor oil to prevent rotting. He says it would only have to be done once and would make the floor last longer than the steel of the trailer itself.
The wood will be covered with rubber mats but I'd still rather find another way.
So... what can I treat the wood with, that I'll never have to redo?? The local trailer dealer told me to use Thompson's Water Seal but the can says it only lasts 1-2 years.
Posted 2005-10-12 2:22 PM (#31637 - in reply to #31635) Subject: RE: Replacing wood flooring. What should I treat the wood with?
Veteran
Posts: 133
Location: Indianapolis, IN
I heard never to use thompson water seal... even on decks. They don't last long. I know there is the water seal stuff that you can get from a professional paint place that might work better.
HUM... good question btw might help alot of people out! Sorry I can't be of more help!
Posted 2005-10-12 2:36 PM (#31638 - in reply to #31635) Subject: RE: Replacing wood flooring. What should I treat the wood with?
Regular
Posts: 93
Location: Northwest Indiana
Go to sherman williams or some similar store and they will sell you the stuff to seal your wood flooring. After you get over the sticker shock of the product you might want to take the "old farmer's" advise and save some used motor oil and do it that way especially since you plan on putting mats down. Just my .01... (.02) is too expensive.
Posted 2005-10-12 3:16 PM (#31641 - in reply to #31635) Subject: RE: Replacing wood flooring. What should I treat the wood with?
Expert
Posts: 1989
Location: South Central OK
I'm sorry to say but if your wood isn't pressure treated it won't stand a chance being peed on and them steamed under rubber mats.
Use top grade pressure treated and it will last longer than the trailer.
My little two horse which is maintained like a Rolls had the floor replaced. The wood rotted around the screws and at the ends where the metal frame touched it...granted it was about 18 years old at the time. I replaced the boards myself with pressure treated so I won't have to do it again.
My stock trailer had crappy boards to start with, they lasted about 5 years...it was treated more like a Kia than a Rolls I will admit. I replaced them with pressure treated about 18+ years ago and haven't looked back since, best summer project I've completed to date!
Posted 2005-10-12 4:15 PM (#31654 - in reply to #31635) Subject: RE: Replacing wood flooring. What should I treat the wood with?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 565
Location: Michigan
The motor oil is a good one. We use it on our hay wagon decks and they do hold up better. With three tractors around, it sure is easy to dispose of the oil after oil changes.
Posted 2005-10-12 7:29 PM (#31666 - in reply to #31635) Subject: RE: Replacing wood flooring. What should I treat the wood with?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 366
Location: Albany, Oregon
I would use a 50/50 mix of boiled linseed oil and paint thinner. It is absorbed into the wood and seals it. Probably a 2 coat job. The used oil method works but kinda stinks and wouldn't be enviro friendly? Will never dry and the mats may slide around....paint cracks and peels allows the wood to absorb the liquids...use a roller or weed sprayer to apply... lots of things will work better than nothing mostly because it will be proctected from the sun.
Posted 2005-10-13 7:51 AM (#31694 - in reply to #31688) Subject: RE: Replacing wood flooring. What should I treat the wood with?
Veteran
Posts: 225
Location: Kansas City
In my opinion, any rough-cut hardwood (hemlock, oak, etc) will last longer than any pressure treated softwood such as pine. Can you buy pressure treated hardwoods - if you can then that would be good. I've had rough cut oak floors last years and years in stock trailers hauling cattle (much harder on floors than horses) with never cleaning the floor other than using a scoop shovel to remove the "big" stuff. Use your old motor oil and re-apply as the floor "dries" out. Every year or two.
Posted 2005-10-13 8:02 AM (#31695 - in reply to #31694) Subject: RE: Replacing wood flooring. What should I treat the wood with?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 824
Location: Kansas
Would the painted on bedliner stuff work? I used it on my aluminum floor and really liked the results. It seemed like the urine would collect in the ridges of the floor and this made it easier to hose out.
Posted 2005-10-13 9:38 AM (#31701 - in reply to #31694) Subject: RE: Replacing wood flooring. What should I treat the wood with?
Veteran
Posts: 235
Location: Bucksport, Maine
Originally written by barry on 2005-10-13 7:51 AM
In my opinion, any rough-cut hardwood (hemlock, oak, etc) will last longer than any pressure treated softwood such as pine. Can you buy pressure treated hardwoods - if you can then that would be good. ...Use your old motor oil and re-apply as the floor "dries" out. Every year or two.
I agree, and obviously the "old farmer" does too. I trust him to have sold me the right wood.
I don't know if you can get PT HW, I didn't check.
I was hoping I'd never have to reapply the oil. :( It's going to be difficult to redo the bottom side of the wood! Any ideas??
Posted 2005-10-13 10:33 AM (#31704 - in reply to #31635) Subject: RE: Replacing wood flooring. What should I treat the wood with?
Regular
Posts: 93
Location: Northwest Indiana
How long the oil will last depends on how often you use your trailer, and in what environments. If you lived in Texas I could see the sun and general airdness drying out the oil in 2 years. If you only use your trailer once a week and place the mat down like you said you should be able to go for 5 years or so I would think. Also if you keep your trailer in the barn or don't pull it in the rain will last longer. On my flat bed we recoat every 5-8 years living in Indiana and the trailer is kept outside year round. And we see all kinds of weather here from 100+ days to 20 below.