Scharft

I want to start this off with that this project is made to come out with a simple sliding of one board, and the wood bed is for car and trucks shows and in general. If I go to use it to load dirt, rocks and tools I'll remove it which comes out in two sections.

So here is the stain job, I really like the look.




First coat of sealent/varnish




I'll sand and/or steal wool it after each coat, it seams to give me the best glass like look.

Thanks for all the comments and suggestions.

Toid

So much for patchy stain!!
Looks great!
Those boards were dry and not sappy. Great job.

2.5itim

I build guitars as a part time/fun/extra income type thing, I started doing it a few years ago and has really become a passion of mine. With that being said, I use A LOT of ambrosia maple which has insect tracts all thru it. The best way I have found to clean out the ambrosia beetle holes is to run a quick burst of air thru it from the air compressor before starting my finish.

Scharft

So this is after 5 coats of clear varnish and sealent, still thinking of a higher gloss. But for now I'll use black silicone around the edges of the truck and wood to fill any small gaps.

The two small blocks at the back of the truck on each side will hold my two portable tool boxes with velcro straps on the block and box, it holds them really well until I need them. (Soft side on the box and rough side on bars so not to scratch anything with the box).

Also thinking to clear coat the rest of the bed to give it a good shine.

2.5itim

Man scharft, that looks amazing! Put another 2-3 coats of varnish followed with some wet sanding threw the grits and that should polish up nicely! Are you sanding between coats?

Scharft

Yes, but I need to by a high gloss clear, I didn't notice that I was using regular clear gloss at first.

Another trip to the store.

Thanks

Scharft

All done except putting my tool boxes back in. I ended up using a varnish brand called SPAR great stuff. Still drying

lovemyboost

Really enjoyed the whole thread and the great job.

Toid

Yeah, I'm definitely backtracking and going this route. I may blue-tint my automotive clear a bit, as my FlareSide has blue interior accent trim and a faint blue pearl over the white.
I'm going to build a tonneau first, though. Should have that done this week or next.

Toid

Nice guitar 2.5itim.
I did a flamed ambrosia carved top rear routed strat style (my own shape)
I dig the wormholes.