Wooden Tailgate for our '56 Ford F-150

I don’t know what the old woodie’s used for wood. But that would be atypical of the normal wood.

But I’d also possably go with Oak. if Cypress was not available.

Some exterior finish.. I can’t give a brand name.

But possably some Automotive paint covered with a clear coat.

-- Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com

Some red cedar would look cool to me or even pine. I would go to a boat dealer or one of the wooden boat building sites to find a clear epoxy finish. It will be pricey though.

Here is a boat site to get you started… http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/

Thanks, buckskin. It gave me a source. A kit costs around 40.00.

-- Saving barnwood from the scrapyards

Yep, and there are other places but now you know what to look for. With that stuff you could just about use any wood you wanted too.

You’ll still need to cover any epoxy with a UV protective varnish.

-- Bob, Carver Massachusetts, Sawdust Maker http://www.capecodbaychallenge.org

Hey, Marc, if you fiberglassed it like a boat it wouldn’t matter what wood you used and it should last for ever. I don’t know anything about boats, either.

-- Thos. Angle, Owyhee Design, Oregon

I spent summers repairing fiberglass yachts. The wood that is used in them is typically teak treated with only oil. If you are going to glass it, don’t use an oily wood or it will delaminate and disappoint you. Cypress is another great wood, as Karson mentioned for a product that will see the weather. I’d be inclined to use oak, and laminate it with glass and an epoxy resin. It will take a delicate touch to make sure it comes out with a flat finish, then get some power polish (similar to rubbing compound) and make it glow!

-- You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation. (Plato)

I’m with mot, teak and oil sounds like it’d be beautiful and hold up well.

-- Dan Lyke, Petaluma California, http://www.flutterby.net/User:DanLyke

Thganks, all. I found some epoxy finish at Woodcraft that you pour out and it is self-levelling. I found another that is just a sealer, about 3 mils per coat, and you cover either with spar varnish to protect against UV.

Sorry, Mot, but I just cannot afford the cost of teak. It would be a very nice choice, but my wife desires a lighter color, like pine or maple, and it IS her truck. (I have an early ‘57—I was born early in ‘57, myself!)

I think I will just make a prototype out of extra white pine and coat it with spar varnish. Not long lasting, but inexpensive lesson for me, and I will maybe get tghe mistakes ironed out before I use the real good stuff. I am leaning on using white oak, but will also check out the cypress.

God Bless,
Hawg

-- Saving barnwood from the scrapyards