I get bored easily.....Then the drinks start flowing....Then I say, hold my drink, and watch this.....

[Runs With Scissors]

About 2-3 months ago, I was reading about how guys "recycle" their used motor oil as a wood preservative for their untreated trailer decks.

Well, while up at the cottage, I was just sitting there having a few, and I decided it was a good time to tackle this project.

I have learned my lesson (many times) about mixing "sharp tools and rum", so that's a good thing.

But a swab ain't sharp.

So off we go.....

Here's the before pic (kinda)

 

[Runs With Scissors]

The "general consensus" on the Inter-web is that a 50/50 mixture of motor oil and kerosene to properly thin out the mixture is the ticket.

I don't have any kerosene so a natural substitute is of course diesel fuel (got lots of that)

So its off to the "mixing lab"

The first coat goes on nicely but is absorbed rather quickly, so after a beverage refill, a second coat is called for.

starting the second coat.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

I don't recall the others I saw turning out his dark, so it appears that using "used diesel motor oil" Vs "used gas motor oil" makes an "appearance" difference.

2nd coat also goes nicely, but doesn't absorb nearly as fast.

The edges and some of the cracks are a little dry,

but using the swab to "mush it down" seems to work 'good enough".

 

[jkrubi12]

Too bad you don't have some fine abrasive sand or such; you could evenly spread a light coat on for a non-slip surface!

 

[Runs With Scissors]

Overall I quite pleased with it, however there are a few things to "take away" from this.

1. It sat for 3 "no rain" days before I loaded the tractor on it, and drove it at "basically" 70 mph for the 4 hour journey home and I'll be damned. It still had residual oil on it that dripped onto my concrete a little.

2. When I pulled the General Lee off the trailer, my tires were basically a "Giant R-4 tread stamping machine", so there were a few "MotherFu@@ers" thrown around.

Luckily (or Unfortunately, depending on how you look at it) , I am a pro at removing oil on concrete so the damage was mitigated quickly.

3. Lastly, (and most obviously) Do NOT do this on a "regular concrete" driveway. Here is a pic of my gravel drive right after. (it is now gone though)

The end.

Paul

 

[Runs With Scissors]

Too bad you don't have some fine abrasive sand or such; you could evenly spread a light coat on for a non-slip surface!

I didn't even think about that, but I'm not sure that it would stick?

I was a little concerned about traction, but I must admit, it has not been a problem even in the rain.

 

[jkrubi12]

Gotta be extra careful if the deck gets wet, could be slippery. Tossing light sand on it if that was the situation may help with traction. As far as the dripping oil, maybe cutting the oil a little more (e.g., 2:1 diesel to oil) may provide quicker absorption by the deck lumber.

Disposal of waste motor oil ain't what it used to be; I'm lucky that I found a business that takes all used motor oil for space heaters in their shop. But they won't accept oil containers, neither will the municipal transfer station as oil is 'hazardous'.

 

[dirtydeed]

I did the motor oil treatment only once and wouldn't recommend it for the reasons that you posted above. My new "go-to" for trailer deck is ATF (used or new, doesn't seem to matter at all). It works much better than oil and isn't slick at all.

Here is a shot from a few weeks ago...this was the second time I've treated the trailer with ATF (once/year)

Give it a try the next time...I think that you'll like the outcome.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

I did the motor oil treatment only once and wouldn't recommend it for the reasons that you posted above. My new "go-to" for trailer deck is ATF (used or new, doesn't seem to matter at all). It works much better than oil and isn't slick at all.

Here is a shot from a few weeks ago...this was the second time I've treated the trailer with ATF (once/year)

View attachment 111054

Give it a try the next time...I think that you'll like the outcome.

Looks nice.

I did try tranny fluid already, but it just evaporated. I guess I'll have to order another case of this and give it a try again.

 

[GrizBota]

Giant R4 stamping machine. Sort of funny since it wasn’t my concrete.

Was your wife pissed when you brought the mop back in the cabin?

 

[GrizBota]

Looks nice.

I did try tranny fluid already, but it just evaporated. I guess I'll have to order another case of this and give it a try again.
View attachment 111056

Isn’t that just water with woke? I don’t think it will stick worth a dang. Maybe if you drink it first?

 

[Runs With Scissors]

Giant R4 stamping machine. Sort of funny since it wasn’t my concrete.

Was your wife pissed when you brought the mop back in the cabin?

Ironically she hates that mop, but apparently she loved that bucket?????

Damned if you do, Damned if you don't.

 

[GeoHorn]

I replaced my 2X8” wood trailer beds with 8” purlins welded down.

 

[GrizBota]

Ironically she hates that mop, but apparently she loved that bucket?????

Damned if you, Damned if you don't.

You repurposed the bucket too!?! No wonder you got it trouble.

Just buy her two more of the same buckets. Maybe you’ll be forgiven.

 

[GrizBota]

I replaced my 2X8” wood trailer beds with 8” purlins welded down.

Then the oil treatment might be a bit more slippery. But it may help with the rust better than the Bud Light treatment.

 

[D2Cat]

I have used linseed oil on wood decks for years. Apply it when it's a hot day in the summer. It soaks in good. I also get it free from the county waste disposal. Just use an old paint brush, dump some on the center of the board and brush it out.

 

[retired farmer]

I use a 3 gallon pump sprayer.
rr

 

[Flintknapper]

You repurposed the bucket too!?! No wonder you got it trouble.

Just buy her two more of the same buckets. Maybe you’ll be forgiven.

^^^^^^

Maybe.

I believe it is within a woman to 'forgive' on occasion....BUT they will NEVER 'forget'.

It will be logged away to be brought up in some completely unrelated argument 5 years down the road! "Like that time you used my mop bucket to coat your trailer deck......"

I can hear it now.

 

[GrizBota]

^^^^^^

Maybe.

I believe it is within a woman to 'forgive' on occasion....BUT they will NEVER 'forget'.

It will be logged away to be brought up in some completely unrelated argument 5 years down the road! "Like that time you used my mop bucket to coat your trailer deck......"

I can hear it now.

Agreed. My statement on the deal if someone really crosses me is I may never forgive them but I may live long enough to forget.

 

[NCL4701]

Thanks for posting. I need to do my trailer deck in the next few months. Definitely will do it somewhere I don’t care about getting a little (or a lot) of oil on the ground.

Have about 5 gallons of waste motor oil, some from gas engines, most from diesel, plus about 10 gallons of waste SUDT2 from recent 400 hour service on the L. Have used oil/kerosene in the past but it has been quite a while being I keep it inside when not in use.

Was thinking I’d probably go with the SUDT2 cut with kerosene or diesel if needed since it seems a bit thinner than the motor oil. Anyone ever use SUDT2?

BTW: I do have my own mop and bucket for projects which don’t meet wife approval.