To paint or not to paint a trailer floor

[dean from bozeman]

I have a trailer that is relatively new. Should I or should I not paint the floor?

I was figuring to put some painter's sand into the paint to give it grip. The idea behind painting it would be that any drops of oil or grease would be easier to clean off.

Any input (pros or cons) is appreciated.

Dean

[Gold Digger]

I have treated wood in my trailer floors. I never have painted any of them. That being said, one I soaked in diesel for almost a month and then started soaking in motor oil. I done this in the hot part of the summer and got a good penetration. That was 23 years ago and after all these years the floor is just now barely showing signs of rot. All of my trailers set outside. I've only done this to one trailer but if I had it to do over I would do all of them.

[Fred K-OR]

My trailer I have put a coat of deck stain on it. I am not sure if that is the best thing to do because due to the fact I leave it outside here in raining Oregon, it seems to have to be recoated almost yearly.

[peters180a/170b]

Dean , this is what i did if you can hold off till French Lick... MINWAX wood Finish , Penetrates Stains and Seals #2750A, Jacobean . and under the car i bought from Tractor Supply [rubber mat] comes in 4 feet wide x and what ever length you need [in my case complete under the car. Used metal washers and screws to hold it down.Jacobean stain to match the wood floors in the "A".......See you at the LICK...

[Steve Plucker]

Originally Posted by dean from bozeman

I have a trailer that is relatively new. Should I or should I not paint the floor?

I was figuring to put some painter's sand into the paint to give it grip. The idea behind painting it would be that any drops of oil or grease would be easier to clean off.

Any input (pros or cons) is appreciated.

Dean

You are not telling us in a very suttle way that your very early phaeton is leaking oil are you Dean?

Pluck

[foxfire42]

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Mine is finished in marine plywood. I bought one of those thick rubber mats that are used on garage floors. I glued it down but after about a year the rubber started to slip and slide and seemed to expand and contract. NEVER again. The mats work and look great in a garage but they are layed loose.

I painted my previous trailer floor but a woman texting her daughter hit the rear and totaled the trailer before I had it long enough to form an opinion about the paint. I have however, formed an opinion about texting.

[ronn]

If you would stain or paint your outside deck on your house, why would you not do the same with your trailer?
wood lasts much longer when sealed.

[dean from bozeman]

First, the trailer I am talking about is an enclosed trailer. Please specify if your treatment is for an open or enclosed trailer. I do have a wooden top open trailer, too.

No Pluck, I'm not. A495 is a pretty nice car.

I cannot dedicate the trailer to A495. I do haul quite a few different things. For example, this week I will be hauling a 1950 Buick to the Midwest. It is a nice, older restoration but you just never know.

Thanks for all input.

Dean

[ronn]

OK Dean, regarding the enclosed trailer- if any cars drip oil, then you will only stain the wood. If you seal the wood, the oil will clean up far more easily. As far as longevity, the sealing would need to be done on the underside with undercoat or a sealer of any sort.
The latex paints that are out today do a wonderful job of sealing most everything. (plastic)
Oil stains and varnishes offer better penetration for the wood. You win with either.
side note....
Before I lay a vinyl floor, I take old house paint, mix it up good and use it as a sealer for the luan underlayment. It works well wo spending extra dough.

[Mitch//pa]

my enclosed floor is painted without any sand and never had a problem slipping. you will get black marks and paint wear from the tires mostly at the tie down position. the paint does protect the wood from oil leaks and wipes right up. i also lay a few pig mats down here and there

[MikeK]

I hate cleaning anything! Down the center of my trailer and beaver tail I lay down 3' wide self-stick plastic temporary floor protector they sell in rolls at home repair and paint stores. I also use it in the garage under the lift and parking areas. Since it's plastic small dribbles wipe off easy. When it gets real yukky I peel it up and replace it with fresh.

[jw hash]

I painted my enclosed trailer floor with gray deck paint and added the sand like material to it. oil wipe right off it and when it get real dirty. I scrub it out with soap and water it still looks pretty nice.

[29ModelA]

I don't know about yours, but my trailers wood floor has a 20 year warranty. I don't know that I would want to stain (paint) it or anything for fear of voiding it.

Of course I likely won't have my trailer in 20 years....

[turnpikecrusier]

I painted my enclosed trailer floor with rustoleum red paint,looks nice and washes up easily.

[Wallace]

I painted my enclosed tr. floor with deck paint and did not use any sand in paint...walked inside with wet shoes....frailed and kicked about 4 feet before I finally hit the floor...hard! Is there a lesson here?

BUT I like painted floors because they look good. wk

[Gary WA]

Epoxy paints is the way to go!Good prep prior will last for ever.Gaco products plus others

[Marco Tahtaras]

I have a friend that restores wood boats so I got some boat epoxy from him and sealed the seams in the floor and ramp door. I then painted the entire floor with garage floor epoxy paint. I used the speckles but chose not to add the grit. If I had to do it again I'd probably use commercial grade floor epoxy (more resistant to tire marks and such) and I would add the grit to the slope and the rear door. I got caught having to load in the rain once and had to be very careful walking up and down the ramp.

Unfortunately I still haven't installed white wall panels to match the ceiling.

[Roger V]

I stained the floor charcoal, so not a very black shade. Put sand in the stain for the ramp door. Painted the walls and ceiling plywood white for reflection as opposed to the optional white finished Masonite which had no strength. I do use steel "trays" in the engine/trans area as well as the rear end. Made removable clamps to keep them in position when used. Like you I use the trailers for my other non-A's.

[mot]

no experience here
but what about applying bed liner?
they sprayed the back of my pickup and its lasted for years,very durable
and it has the texture so its not slippery

[jimalabam]

Pluck: Dean's Phaeton just marks it's territory once in a while. hee hee...