If your bed is original, the wood used in Chevrolet/GMC was broad leaf southern yellow pine. It was also treated with a combination of lamp black and linseed oil, which gave the wood its original dull black color. Your bed looks to be in pretty tough shape and I don’t think replacing the wood would detract much from its originality. IMHO
Great looking truck and I agree to keep it as original as possible.
Have you considered a light compounding and wax to keep the original paint? It would bring out the color of the original paint. I wouldn’t go crazy with compounding. Just enough to remove the oxidation because it will also remove the paint if not careful. Then use a wax that doesn’t turn white if used over plastic parts (such as Turtle Wax Ice). I would think it work the same over the rust.
If you go the linseed oil route, make sure its boiled linseed oil or it will take a long time to dry.
On the same lines of linseed oil is Penetrol. Marketed as an additive to get paint to flow better it also stops rust from getting worse. Google it, as it may also be an option
Last edited by Phak1; 06/11/2020 2:19 PM.
