The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Making a Stovebolt Bed Need help on finishing the wood...PLEASE

Im ready to stain and finish the bed wood, I went with a white oak, And Im going to stain it
I got some stain, sanding sealer, & spar varnish, sandpaper..Etc

When applying the stain got any tips ?

Should I use the sanding sealer ? Ive gotten different answers some say I should and some say I shouldn't...What do you think ?

I also went with a gloss spar varnish any tips on applying it ?


This is the first time Ive ever finished wood of any kind and I could really use some all the help I can get

Thanks
Todd

Todd, Apply the stain and let it soak in. The longer the stain is on the wood and not wiped off the darker it will normally get. You be the judge on the color you want. If it is not dark enough try a second coat. I don't use sanding sealer, personal choice. Apply the spar urethane to all sides including the edges. I let it dry 24 hours, sand lightly with 220 grit paper. Wipe down with a tack cloth to get all the sanding dust off. Apply the second coat,etc. I applied 7 coats to my bed wood sanding all coats except the last one. I then applied a paste wax to the wood. I use an oil based brush to apply the urethane. Some people use the throw away foam brushes. You need to thoroughly clean the brush if you are going to use a brush. I also don't use the can to apply the urethane, I put a small amount in a mason jar and use it. All in trying to avoid small particles getting into the urethane. Be careful on sanding the first coat that you don't sand thru the varnish. into the stain. I could only do one side of the board at a time so it will take a week or so to get all sides varnished. Watch out for runs and dry spots. Use a shop light to look at the wood from all angles to see if you have a run or dry spots. I have some photos of my bed at the site below. If you have any questions, please ask!!

tabdoo16
Mar-K has a nice write up about different stuff for beds. You will find it very interesting. Lots of questions and answers plus reports on the finishes they tried and experimented with.

I did mine pretty much as Coach-Frank said and it looks good. After 7 years I did go back and refinish it more to my liking. I used oak also.
The only thing I would add is to perhaps use some sealer that Mar-K mentions and can be bought at a boat marine place.
Oh, and be sure to SOAK the ends real good as they will soak up more than just about any other place on a board.

coach-frank & Achipmunk
Thank you so much ! Like I said this is the first time I have ever tackled a wood finishing project, I REALLY appreciate the tips,

I applied the stain today and I think I would like it a little darker so tomorrow I'll do another coat.

Did you stain both sides of the boards ?

Here in Vegas its real dry and today it got up to about 90 degrees, The stain set up almost as soon as I could get it applied and I had a hard time wiping it down, but I got it done and it turned out nice.

I'll check in with the results
Thanks again
Todd

yes Todd, always treat "all 6 sides" of the wood the same or you're wasting your time, especially soak the end grain .... if it's drying fast, try applying it with a rag in each hand, wipe it on with one and following along with the other, wipe it off - and depending on what you're using [especially w/ the spar varnish], you'll want to sand it lightly with 220 - 320 grit before following coats

Bill

It looks like I got to get back to work I just stained the side that shows, But I was going to seal all 6 sides with the spar varnish I just wasn't sure about the stain
Thanks Bill

Todd,
Here is a tip ya might want to try, I know ya in the desert BUT water in any amount and Oak do not mix!
after you are happy with your stain, ya do know it will get a lot darker when you apply the Varnish? so dont go to dark, ya have any scraps you can Test on?
after you have the boards the color you are happy with I suggest you go to the HW Store and get some Thompsons Water Seal and fill up a pan big enough for all your boards to stand in ..add abought 1" of the Thompsons an let each end soak a few hrs, that should be plenty with oak as it will suck it up pretty fast, if it is warm out wrap some reynolds wrap around the pan and your boards too help slow the evaporation, after a good soak of your end grain treat all the other surfaces with a few coats ...let em dry a few days, before applying your varnish that should STOP any of the Black nasty stains from appearing for a long time!...just remeber if ya drill any holes in the boards after the FACT to treat each hole Liberally with the Thompsons.
If you can swing S.S. bolts that would be even better!
Just some tips on a long lasting job.
Tim

Thompsons water seal...Good idea, I was looking at that when I was getting my materials but I wasn't sure, Today when I get home from work Im going to finish staining the boards (all six sides) and while that's drying I'll go get some of the Thompsons.

Also it will get darker when I seal it ? Im glad I found that out
Thanks for the tips Tim

UPDATE:
Well...I finished all the staining today and my little sister will be in town until next week so... Im going to let it set until next weekend until I put the thompson water seal on and Then start applying several coats of the spar varnish on all six sides( sanding in between each coat of course)
Man... I cant wait till it's done, It looks like it's really going to turn out nice

Todd

Are you sure Thompsons won't react with the varnish? I thought it had silicone and/or waxes? Tim, if you have done it, you should know.
Mike

I never have used Thompson's wood product other than decks so I have no experience there but is something I would try. I am a woodworker by trade and my recommendation is to stay with a sanding sealer matched with the same exterior varnish or a varnish mix only. I have had good luck using a reduced varnish, about 1/3 of what they say to clean your brush with, mostly mineral spirits and apply 2-3 coats until the pores are filled. Then sand with about 220. If you need to apply more do so until when sanding you get a no pocks completely smooth white dust surface. At that time go to full strength and apply as many coats as desired for finish still sanding between coats. You can reach the desired luster you want using this process. Good luck and have fun
Dan

Some helpful articles on our website:
Wood Finish Suggestions http://www.mar-k.com/wood_finishing.html
- Information on how to finish wood.

Wood Finish Testing Information I http://www.mar-k.com/wood_finish_testing_i.html -Test to evaluate how well various wood finish products will last when exposed to outdoor use. Original wood bed testing article in 2004

Wood Finish Testing Information II http://www.mar-k.com/wood_finish_testing_ii.html - Test to evaluate how well various wood finish products will last when exposed to outdoor use. New test beginning July 2005

Filling Cracks in Bed Wood http://www.mar-k.com/CracksinBedWood.pdf - For repair of cracked wood boards

Thanks ! That's some great info,
Todd

NO NO NO . just make sure you use a marine varnish, and put on 4 or more coats, and only a marine varnish

Well, It finished AND IT REALLY TURNED OUT AWESOME ! I applied several coats (sanding in between each one) It looks like fine furniture ! I bought all stainless hardware and polished it a work on our buffing wheel... It's going to look sweet when it's all together. But I have to wait before I install it so I can run all new stainless brake lines first (It will be so much easier with the bed open) And then I'll post some pictures
Thanks to you all !!
Todd

Can't wait to see it, Todd!

Chev4t6,
Here is a link to the final results of the Mar-K test. I'm glad to see the Por 15 and Behr black paint has held up the best because that is what I plan to do.
Mar-K bed wood test results
Not as pretty as the clear coats though. I plan on using the bed for hauling stuff so pretty isn't necessary. You may want to consider a top for your bed to keep the rain and sun out.

Well now that I finished the brake lines Im FINALLY going to install the wood ! (AT LAST)
I cant wait !!
Thanks again everyone for your help
Todd