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Truck Canopy Finish

xxxabcyyy's picture

Truck Canopy Finish (post #169758)

xxxabcyyy on Wed, 02/08/2012 - 17:04
in

I am building a canopy for my truck.  I am planning to build it out of cedar.  Does anyone have any suggestions for a good finish that will protect it from the elements?  I do not want to use fiberglass as a finish.

Thanks,

Quick kid

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Westchester's picture

Truck (post #169758, reply #1 of 3)

by Westchester in reply to xxxabcyyy [original] on Wed, 02/08/2012 - 17:12

Clear finishes won't last - have you considered paint ?

SA

xxxabcyyy's picture

Thanks for your thoughts.  I (post #169758, reply #2 of 3)

by xxxabcyyy in reply to Westchester [original] on Wed, 02/08/2012 - 17:22

Thanks for your thoughts.  I was hoping I could keep the beauty of the wood intact.  As well, I am contemplating putting some inlay into the canopy design.

 Thanks

SteveSchoene's picture

Westchester is right.  (post #169758, reply #3 of 3)

by SteveSchoene in reply to xxxabcyyy [original] on Sat, 02/11/2012 - 14:45

Westchester is right.  Keeping a clear wood finish looking good is a very challenging task.  It would require frequent maintenance and renewal.  I wouldn't even think about doing this unless you plan to keep the truck under cover in a garage or carport that offers full shade. 

Another point.  Why not fiberglas.  When the glass wets out it becomes transparent and lets the wood show through pretty well.  You still need to protect the fiberglass from UV but having the fiberglas over the cedar makes it easier to keep the cedar from turning grey.  To protect the fiberglass about 3-4 coats of a quality marine spar varnsih from a marine supply store, not a big box store or ordinary paint store.  With the fiberglass well filled with a clear resin, and covered by varnish it would be pretty hard, unless you get close, to tell this from a varnish only finish. 

Without the fiberglas you would need 6 -8 coats of quality marine spar varnish. 

In either case, the spar varnish needs to be sanded every spring and a refresher coat of spar applied.  Otherwise the UV protectant additives "wear out" and the varnish begins to turn dull, a precurer of impending failure, at which point you would have to strip off all the varnish and begin the process again. 

Paint keeps the UV light from reaching the underlying surface and seriously slows the process of deterioration. 

Test your finish on scrap, FIRST, or risk having to scrap your finish.