Posted: 9/5/2026 7:25:10 PM EDT
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I have a utility trailer that is about 10 yrs old. It’s getting a coat of paint tomorrow. I’ll get a set of tires for it soon and paint the wheels too. After the paint cures, I’m gonna reseal the deck wood. I’ve sealed it twice in 10 years. I’ve been using deck sealer. It works fine. But, I’m thinking of giving the used motor oil/diesel (or kerosene) mix a try. The deck sealer has performed fine but I’ve also heard good things about the used motor oil mix. Any strong opinions one way or another? |
"It behooves every man to remember that the work of the critic is of altogether secondary importance, and that, in the end, progress is accomplished by the man who does things."
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
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Originally Posted By chrishag: I mix 2parts used diesel oil with 1 part diesel fuel. Works great and is cheap. How do you apply it? Roller? How long does it last till you need to repeat? |
"It behooves every man to remember that the work of the critic is of altogether secondary importance, and that, in the end, progress is accomplished by the man who does things."
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
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Originally Posted By ColtRifle: I have a utility trailer that is about 10 yrs old. It’s getting a coat of paint tomorrow. I’ll get a set of tires for it soon and paint the wheels too. After the paint cures, I’m gonna reseal the deck wood. I’ve sealed it twice in 10 years. I’ve been using deck sealer. It works fine. But, I’m thinking of giving the used motor oil/diesel (or kerosene) mix a try. The deck sealer has performed fine but I’ve also heard good things about the used motor oil mix. Any strong opinions one way or another? Diesel/motor oil for me. |
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I was given a bunch of new type F ATF, which i have no use for, so i mixed it about 3qt atf to 1qt of kerosene and slopped it on my new trailer deck boards. Put it on till it starts puddling and then wait a few days and recoat again. 3rd coat puddled right away. The last trailer i did this too didn't need coated again for 4 years. And the atf gave it nice reddish brownish color, it really looks nice. We'll see how long that lasts. |
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I use a pump sprayer and mix approximately 3 parts used oil 1 part diesel and then a smaller amount of this copper napthenate, I spray the trailer floors once a year and I also sprayed it on some old pallets I use to stack firewood on. https://www.amazon.com/Tenino-Copper-Naphthenate-metal-Preservative/dp/B0147OQQ84 Attached File |
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Originally Posted By ColtRifle: How do you apply it? Roller? How long does it last till you need to repeat? I rolled it on with a paint roller. I use a brush to apply a liberal coating on the edges. I put two coats on and then let it dry for about a week went back and put one more coat on. I usually do it like every other year. |
It’s a Jeep thing...
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Originally Posted By chrishag: I rolled it on with a paint roller. I use a brush to apply a liberal coating on the edges. I put two coats on and then let it dry for about a week went back and put one more coat on. I usually do it like every other year. Thanks. That’s how I was leaning to doing it. I’ve got the wood pressure washed, all the metal painted, and the three wheels (two wheels on the axle and a spare) painted. New tires will be here this week. Once I get them installed, I’ll go ahead and coat the deck. My deck sealer has performed well as the wood is still in good shape at about the 10 yr mark but I think I’ll give the diesel and oil a try. I might use kerosene instead since it might be slightly lower odor than diesel. |
"It behooves every man to remember that the work of the critic is of altogether secondary importance, and that, in the end, progress is accomplished by the man who does things."
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
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What's the surface like on the decks treated with used motor oil /diesel etc? Does it actually soak in and dry? Or does it stay greasy? Does it get slippery when it's wet? Will my kayaks end up oily after being hauled in the trailer? If I transport furniture, will the oil transfer to the cloth along the bottom of the couch? I've got a trailer deck in need of treating and a bunch of used oil. But I don't want to ruin the trailer for transporting "nice" things either. |
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Originally Posted By Gunner226: What's the surface like on the decks treated with used motor oil /diesel etc? Does it actually soak in and dry? Or does it stay greasy? Does it get slippery when it's wet? Will my kayaks end up oily after being hauled in the trailer? If I transport furniture, will the oil transfer to the cloth along the bottom of the couch? I've got a trailer deck in need of treating and a bunch of used oil. But I don't want to ruin the trailer for transporting "nice" things either. I found it will stain what it touches. Tried the ATF stain method. I absolutely won't do that again. If wet, it is somewhat slippery. When "dry" it will still stain your straps & moving blankets that contact it. Pressure washed it all off & then resealed with a "gritty" deck sealant. It cost a bit more but 100% worth it in my opinion. Bigger_Hammer  |
LIFE'S JOURNEY IS NOT TO ARRIVE AT THE GRAVE SAFELY IN A WELL PRESERVED BODY,
BUT RATHER TO SKID IN SIDEWAYS, TOTALLY WORN OUT SHOUTING "HOLY $H!T...WHAT A RIDE"!!
BUT RATHER TO SKID IN SIDEWAYS, TOTALLY WORN OUT SHOUTING "HOLY $H!T...WHAT A RIDE"!!
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Originally Posted By Gunner226: What's the surface like on the decks treated with used motor oil /diesel etc? Does it actually soak in and dry? Or does it stay greasy? Does it get slippery when it's wet? Will my kayaks end up oily after being hauled in the trailer? If I transport furniture, will the oil transfer to the cloth along the bottom of the couch? I've got a trailer deck in need of treating and a bunch of used oil. But I don't want to ruin the trailer for transporting "nice" things either. I found that it soaks in and dries fairly well. Know that will depend on the condition of the wood. Currently, mine was very dry so it sucked it up. If you’ve got newer lumber, your experience may be different. That being said if I am transporting something with cloth, I usually will put a tarp down under it just to be careful. I merely use the oil/diesel mixture as I’ve got plenty of it around. |
It’s a Jeep thing...
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Originally Posted By chrishag: I mix 2parts used diesel oil with 1 part diesel fuel. Works great and is cheap. This right here! Been doing that toy trailer decks for 20+ years.....and compared to a treated wood deck that hasn't had this done, several years later it's a night and day difference. Best thing I've found if you want your deck to last! I roll it on with a paint roller. Two coats, and it soaks it up fast. I do it every year.....just because I'm always looking for ways to use up old engine oil. It doesn't feel any slicker than non treated wood when it gets wet. Smells a little for the first few days after you do it....but that's the only downside I can think of. |
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Originally Posted By chrishag: I found that it soaks in and dries fairly well. Know that will depend on the condition of the wood. Currently, mine was very dry so it sucked it up. If you’ve got newer lumber, your experience may be different. That being said if I am transporting something with cloth, I usually will put a tarp down under it just to be careful. I merely use the oil/diesel mixture as I’ve got plenty of it around. When my trailer was new, I waited at least a year before I coated it with deck sealer. Really wet treated lumber won’t take much of any sealer. My deck boards are super dry so should absorb a few coats of whatever I go with. |
"It behooves every man to remember that the work of the critic is of altogether secondary importance, and that, in the end, progress is accomplished by the man who does things."
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
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Originally Posted By Bigger_Hammer: I found it will stain what it touches. Tried the ATF stain method. I absolutely won't do that again. If wet, it is somewhat slippery. When "dry" it will still stain your straps & moving blankets that contact it. Pressure washed it all off & then resealed with a "gritty" deck sealant. It cost a bit more but 100% worth it in my opinion. Bigger_Hammer This was my experience too. I used hydraulic oil mixed with diesel and it was a nasty mess that would dirty everything it touched - straps, pants, etc. For the second sealing, I pressure washed, sanded, and applied Ready Seal. Much better. |
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I coated the deck this evening. Went with 1 part diesel to 2 parts used diesel tractor oil. Applied two coats with a roller. The wood is very dry so it sucked into the wood immediately. I might have been able to apply one more coat but was satisfied with the two coats. Used about 6 quarts of the mix for a 5x12 trailer. Definitely a strong odor but not terrible. It’s supposed to be dry the rest of the week so I’m sure there will be little to no odor by next week. I’m pleased with it. |
"It behooves every man to remember that the work of the critic is of altogether secondary importance, and that, in the end, progress is accomplished by the man who does things."
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
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Originally Posted By ColtRifle: I coated the deck this evening. Went with 1 part diesel to 2 parts used diesel tractor oil. Applied two coats with a roller. The wood is very dry so it sucked into the wood immediately. I might have been able to apply one more coat but was satisfied with the two coats. Used about 6 quarts of the mix for a 5x12 trailer. Definitely a strong odor but not terrible. It’s supposed to be dry the rest of the week so I’m sure there will be little to no odor by next week. I’m pleased with it. Yeah, give it a week or two to dry out again and then I would go back and hit it with another one to two coats then you’re good for two years. |
It’s a Jeep thing...
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Originally Posted By chrishag: Yeah, give it a week or two to dry out again and then I would go back and hit it with another one to two coats then you’re good for two years. I’m pretty happy where it is at the moment but I’ll reassess in a couple weeks. Last time I did deck sealer it was good for a few years. Maybe 4 years ago? I pressure washed the deck wood and, despite being 9 years old and parked outside, it still looks almost new. Just got my replacement wheel seals. Gonna pull the drums off, clean the brakes really well, then repack the bearings this weekend and reassemble with new seals. New tongue box will be here this weekend (if FedEx doesn’t screw this one up too) so I’ll get it mounted and it’ll be as good as new. |
"It behooves every man to remember that the work of the critic is of altogether secondary importance, and that, in the end, progress is accomplished by the man who does things."
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt