Need advice on finishing oak boards for truck bed

Anyone have advice on what the best products/method is for finishing the truck bed? I have precut oak boards. I'll have the truck kept in the garage but want to be careful about withstanding weather to a reasonable degree...Don't have to worry about snow in my neck of the woods but it will rain for sure everytime I go on a Sunday joy ride

 

I prefer Boiled Linseed oil. It doesn't chip or peel. You can rub it in and make it shine
also.

 

Finish the boards top and bottom, or they are more likely to warp.

 

Use Spar varnish, thinned 50/50 for the first coat so it soaks in.
Then 25/75 for the next coat, then straight varnish for the next three or four coats. Sanding lightly in between coats. It will take a few days.
Yes, do both sides.

 

Exactly what Eaglebeak said but add about a week for the time on mine. Ater they were throughly dried & the way I liked them I also put a coat of carnuba wax on and they stayed in great shape for years. Bruch slowly or you get little air bubbles. Also your fine brush strokes flow out before it dries. Tom

 

Same thing here. Stayed nice in my boat for years.

 

I use two coats of sanding sealer, and three coats of regular automotive polyurethane clear, sanding lightly between coats, it looks awesome.

 

Make sure to seal the end grain as well.

 

that is pretty close to what I do with the wood on my sailboat. I'd suggest only doing one coat a day and as eaglebeak said take your time. If you are in an area with good boat supply stores I'd hit them for the varnish rather than the hardware store. A bit more expensive but I think You will be a lot happier with the results.

 

How about WEST epoxy on both sides and the end grain before varnish? Works on boats!

 

check mar k truck parts in oklahoma, they did a year long test on the wood bed finish, you may be surprised at the results , i just did my wood with pelucid by por and helsman, check out the article , it will be worth your time.