Paint or Stain sled deck?

[AZ800]

Just picked up a nice used sled deck. Plywood is a little weathered and beat up. Going to flip over the plywood for a new surface. It will be sitting outside 24/7 in AK or WA.
Was planning on painting it black or staining it. Thinking the stain will work better, no chance of it peeling.
Not going to spend the $ on bedliner.
Opinions?

 

[kevinm7]

You should look into a product called Restore. They sell it at Home Depot. Cheaper than bed liner but still tough and it lasts. Buddy has had it on his sled deck for the last 4 years and it's still going strong

 

[94fordguy]

I stained my sled deck and have been very happy... Just used Thompsons Water Seal... worked great!

 

[Blk88GT]

Black stain!

 

[volcano buster]

Does Thompson's Water Seal get slick with snow and ice on it?

 

[Jaynelson]

I was thinking of doing this as well....using stain....and maybe sprinkling some sand on it right after/during application for some extra grip. Can't see why that wouldn't work.

 

[CO 2.0]

Does Thompson's Water Seal get slick with snow and ice on it?

Depends on how thick you coat it on. The regular Thompson's water seal is so thin that it absorbs pretty quick into weathered plywood. There are thicker versions home depot sells that are different brands than the Thompson's. The thicker formulas I use work a lot better on weathered wood and you can buy less of it to do a better job. A full plastic jug usually does my whole 20' trailer.

 

[RMKNV]

I used the deck paint from HD (its thick)and sprinkled sand on it it has worked ok. The ply wood was pretty weathered when I got the deck. I might replace this year.. If I do Ill used the same stuff.

 

[LoudHandle]

The trailer / decks I've made; I soaked with Chevron Shingle oil. Paid like $25 for five gallons and it did both sides of two four place trailers with leftovers. Both trailers are still in use with the original wood, been ten plus years now. Outlasts the overpriced Thompson's water seal by a land slide.

 

[AZ800]

The shingle oil would be good I'm sure.
Ended up staining it last weekend. Used Sikkens srd black. Looks real good. Will see how well it holds up.

 

[summ8rmk]

I used Thompsons red on my deck and car trailer.
I kinda liked the way it looked for the fist yr then it started disappearing and both the deck and trailer looked like crap. I will never use Thompsons again!
I used the deck restore on the car trailer and that is some good stuff but spendy.

 

[wjl]

$$$ super deck

 

[Sulley]

Had to redo my deck last year. Used 1/2" treated plywood and rolled herculian bedliner on it. Great seal and traction as well. Was $100 for it but i think it was worth it. I'll let you know 5yrs from now.......