Protecting Exposed Wood

[Tom_Orlowski]

I have a 2008 Travel Lite TC . The underside of the area that goes over the rail of the truck are painted wood . I bought the TC used recently from a one owner .It is in great shape .However these areas need atention. There is no damage to the wood . However it needs to be repainted or covered with some kind of protectant. Should it be repainted or possibly use something like Herculiner to seal the area from the elements? Or covering it with something like diamond plate an option? Is it worth the effort getting that involved using metal?It appears to be a latex paint. Not pealing just very weathered. If I repaint would I use something like exterior house paint ? Or maybe something like Rustoleum? Your thoughts. Thanks in advance Tom O.

[Rickmeister66]

I used to do industrial painting for a living and the key to longevity is always prep and primer. Here is a durable inexpensive solution. Surface must be dry. Wire brush with the grain as much as possible to get rid of loose paint. Then sand lightly with about a 120 grit, I prefer the sponge blocks. Mask everything off then apply a good oil based primer, make sure it is ok for wood. Let dry per spec on can. Then spray with automotive undercoating available at auto parts store,, move the can prior to pulling the trigger to avoid drips. Inexpensive, ultra durable, resistant to road salts and mag chloride, excellent sealer.

[Ski_Pro_3]

If it were me and the wood is in good shape, I'd sand off the latex and use a high quality wood deck oil stain. Let it soak up all the oil stain it can hold. Then every season, apply more oil stain and let it soak in.

It's been my experience that any topical coating like paint, only TRAPS moisture in since it would be impossible to make a painted piece of wood water proof.

If the wood is rotted out, then replacing it with a non-wood product, like the new deck materials out there, would be a better option than just replacing it with wood again.

[ticki2]

Something to keep in mind . Although Latex is the least durable of coatings it also has the least prep time to recoat in the future , it just wears off , no peeling . For your purpose it seems to be the simplest solution .

[Tom_Orlowski]

Good thinking. I believe a marine type paint would be more durable. It might be best to keep things simple. I have used the herculiner bed lining on a board for a dog ramp for my retriever and it has not worn at all. One or the other would probably be the best. Thanks

[phillyg]

I recommend you look into a marine paint. Pettit is the first one that comes to mind but there are many other brands. Whatever you decide to use, you have to make sure the surface is properly prepared according to the mfgr's. directions and the painted surface presents an unbroken barrier over the wood. Do it right once and you'll probably never have to do it again.

[recycler]

sand it...wipe it down... and latex it...

[BuckBarker]

I second keeping up with a latex coating if you are certain that latex is on there now. You can't oil paint over latex but you can latex over oil.

[skipbee]

From our experience of many years at sea. Wood should be enclosed in an envelope of paint and restored when the envelope is worn or damaged. Expensive coatings ie. two part epoxy will last the longest and cost the most. Latex will prolly have the shorter life span with less cost. An annual recoat would be good practice along with seam caulking, I imagine that latex would be satisfactory.

[skipbee]

Sorry ! Dbl post