Used Engine Oil to Stain my Trailer!

I decided to treat the wood deck on my custom trailer (video to come on the trailer build) with used engine oil!

[@garysmith5741]

Mix the oil and diesel first then run it through the filter, it’ll pass through much faster and still catch the debris.

[@Ademarcus]

Nice! Lol

[@terryheadgepath4205]

Man, my dad did that to our and it was horrible. Dirt stuck to it and I had it all over me every time I chained something down.

[@4wheelliving132]

This is why I was reading the comments. I would think that the wood would be a dirt magnet and an oily mess. I bought a house with cedar siding that someone had linseed oiled, and that house was a dirty mess

[@jimbob3030]

Dirt will stick to any oil including wood stain you pay good money for, but with this the deck will last.

[@novar31]

I've done this with all my past trailers and love it, but I just use my straight used oils. Usually I do two coats and use paint brush for between the boards. When dry, I jack the trailer up on it's side and use my undercoating spray gun to get the wood on the bottom. For the bottom I use roughly 75% used oil and 25% chainsaw bar oil and I undercoat the metal as well. The chainsaw bar oil allows this to be a bit sticky so it sticks to the metal. Usually one coat will do, plus I don't really enjoy doing the underside. I like in Canada where they use a lot of salt on the roads and my trailers hold up really well. Hope this helps. Ashland this was a good video.

[@wildlee2604]

One coat would probably work fine. I used to drive an old '77 Dodge 3/4 ton pickup. I cut and added 3/4 inch plywood (not treated) to my truck bed and every time I changed oil, I would take the empty oil bottles and stand them upside down, on the plywood, allowing the left over oil to drain into the wood. Finally one day, I just took an old 4" paint brush and brushed Old oil across the complete surface of the plywood. I stayed in the pickup truck for 17 yrs., without ever needing to be removed...

[@noneyabusiness368]

Very old trick from back in the day, used it on the bottom 2 ft of fence posts prior to concreting, building foundations that used lumber for footings, power poles you name it. Downside is had to wait a bit for the oil to soak in and dry off a bit.

[@tonys6225]

So quick question this was a year ago... How does it look now days???? Just curious.....

[@VAMCVETS]

Imagine the money farmers would save by using this idea on cattle fences or horse stables. I think they probably already use them is what I’m thinking. Anyway, hardware store stain by the gallon is expensive compared to just using used motor oil. I don’t see a problem with it being any different for the environment using oil wth. Oh wait, it’s all about money, I get it now. Good video man, trailer looks sweet.

[@desertdweller8981]

they have been for 100 years!

[@BlossomPainting]

Isn’t sharing knowledge great… Sharing is a great way to invest for your future and good for your health today.

[@clockwood9406]

That's called creosote. Been used to treat wood for 100 years or more.

[@braydensdeals]

I did that to my old car hauler, it was a massive mistake, super slippery, and holds onto all the dirt making you filthy if you sit on it or have to lay to scrap something down. Got a new trailer and I won’t be doing it. That process works great for fences though! Haha

[@DCSPORTSTER]

I drive a yard straight truck with a 6’x 8’ wood deck on the back supported by a angle iron frame to service Reefer trailers. I’ve work there since 2004 but I drove highway truck for 5 years then went into the shop. That truck has been around for plus 18 years. The deck is still in good shape no rot at all. Has had lots of diesel and engine oil spilled on it over the years. The floor is very black from the diesel oil. The oil is soaked right through the boards. It’s definitely dry to the touch and I’ve never noticed any oil on my pants when I kneel on it. I pressure wash the deck once in a while but it’s open to the rain,snow, sun all the time. If the floor stands up on this unit it’ll stand up on anybody’s deck trailer. By the way this truck was used 24/7 for years.

[@Jack-Surreal_Panes]

Love to do this but I haul a lot of furniture so pass for me..I just got a 5 gal Thompson waterseal from an estate sale for $5. So guess use the oil fuel stuff for other things.

[@derrickwhite2416]

Wish you had put a pic of how it looked months later.

[@antslife1089]

what does that trailer look like now? I was thinking of doing the same thing? Thanks!!

[@charleshanks6186]

Do it every year and keep. The wood from deteriorating…. Good job

[@mikemcglauflin8985]

Wonder much lead from the main bearings is in it. Looks awesome!

[@birdog6259]

If you can figure out a way...you should treat the underside. I stood my trailer up with a tractor bucket so I could.

[@amerlin388]

I have started 'painting' 4x4 and 4x6 pressure treated posts with used motor oil - horizontal, before building the deck. Letting the oil fill any checking (cracks in the wood). Curious if mixing in some diesel would help oil penetrate into the wood

[@wayne93094]

Well what's it look like today

[@oldcountryman2795]

I wonder if this would work on a porch deck or would it be too messy. Does it completely dry?

[@jimbob3030]

Eventually it does dry, and if you aren't willing to wait you can power wash excess oil off the top with a little soap and water.

[@cowstable]

Nice result. Now use the rest for your garden fence?

[@stevenmcc2119]

Shoulda took a big propane torch and burned the decking first I just did this to my flatbed on my truck

[@extremeduty2570]

Because??

[@Coronet_shop]

@@extremeduty2570 keeps wood from going bad

[@HappyHands.]

How is the smell?

[@joethompson1292]

Looks good

[@thomasguthrie5938]

Has the nice color stayed or has it gotten really dark.

[@ashland82391]

The color is almost completely gone now. Looks like normal wood. It's time for another coat

[@garbageman1983]

So once it dries out,does it smell like diesel?

[@ashland82391]

No sir

[@roosterprice]

So how does your trailer floor look now? I'm considering the doing the same but I'm curious how well it resist UV rays and sun damage.

[@schassis_eddi]

Update on the trailer?

[@ashland82391]

I will post one up soon. She's ready for a new coat

[@ralan350]

Filtering it is not really nessary the oil will soak in any solids will not and will sweep off after the fact but filtering it does not hurt if you feel like doing it..... I usually wait a week and give it a second coat and then once every couple of years after that

[@factionfx]

Why do you need to cut it with diesel? All the other videos I've seen only use the oil. Also, why used engine oil and not new?

[@javiermarante5344]

How slippery is the deck when it’s wet? I wanna do it to my Atv trailer and I didn’t want it to be slippery

[@NAVY_NFO]

Was the wood treated or untreated before you put the oil on it?

[@michaelmartin3474]

how often do you have to do this? how long does it last?

[@rickbumbaca240]

What kind of lumber did you use on your deck? Doug fir?

[@JamesWide]

Hey man, do you build this trailer? Do you have a build video of it? Stain looks great! Up here in the north we undercoat out cars and trucks with used oil. Saves them!

[@swingblade1776]

I just did mine. Straight used 5w30 oil, I should have added some diesel

[@aarondavis5535]

So how does it handle the weather got a deck on mine top pine bottom plywood was thanking of this methode

[@jeffdc66]

So what's the proper ratio?

[@greatwhiteshark448]

Great job. Looks beautiful. I notice u didn't tape off the wood. Did stain do anything to paint ? Can't wait to do mine thanks for sharing ur experience

[@ashland82391]

Nope nothing at all. I did have to spray the metal fown good because of corse the oil just sat on top

[@JohnSmith-cw3ib]

😂

[@georgeharr5757]

I read you did this with pressure treated lumber and I've heard the new treated lumber has chemicals/copper in it that will ruin the metal trailer frame? Any issues there?

[@r830-l7w]

Is diesel required

[@iderekr3283]

is this an oil video??

[@lily5015]

Follow up video?

[@MonthlyInvestor]

What was the ratio?

[@jeffsimone3835]

What about the under side?

[@nathanrittenhouse3589]

Man that looks great I redoing my 16 ft trailer

[@adammoore6614]

How is it holding up?

[@ashland82391]

It's doing great but its only been a month or so

[@akforlife2423]

@@ashland82391 How about now?

[@daddibrownbears]

I’m going to be doing this to mine tonight all sawmill oak 1.5 inch thick

[@cynturner906]

That looks awesome

[@jereyesjr]

What a great idea!!

[@marklengal9990]

Was this treated wood to begin with?

[@ashland82391]

Just pressure treated wood from homedepot

[@jmiller3913]

If you sit on the trailer or step on it does it transfer over onto your clothes? Or does it dry up somewhat?

[@ashland82391]

Nope, it dries up. I washed it a few weeks after just in case

[@edsbrainedsbrain]

@@ashland82391 : Just curious, what do you mean? Washed it? Just a hose down or what? Thanks!

[@stovar1182]

Damn, I'm impressed! Came out nice!

[@MrC867]

Are those trailer wheels powder coated?

[@ashland82391]

No just spray paint

[@MrC867]

Wow they look awesome What spray paint did you use or any special technique? I'm doing both my trailers like this Looks amazing

[@ashland82391]

@@MrC867 I use rustolium precessional enamel. I leave the wheels on the trailer and spin them as I paint. Spinning allows me to lay a much heavier coat on the wheels without runs. Works great for wheels without spokes like trailer wheels.

[@F8lastcallcharger345]

How dare you! Lol I could not resist. I have been researching stain and I just happen to have a ton of used oil from my ole 7.3. I just may do it

[@stevenmcc2119]

I used the engine oil 15-40 out of my 01 7.3 I just did flat bed burned the wood and stained it with the diesel oil mix

[@danielrubio6675]

@@stevenmcc2119 interesting. Why did you burn the wood? Was it just a quick pass with a torch for aesthetics? I imagine it came out nice?

[@JablonskiV]

Updates? Any rot? Softness? Etc?

[@ashland82391]

I’ve actually got an update video coming soon for the trailer. It’s held up very well but it’s ready for another coat

[@RDAUGIRD]

@@ashland82391 when do we get the update? I have 55 gallons of used oil from our diesel engines I need to get rid of, and a fence that needs treating!

[@LVPIERCED]

Curious as to why the 50/50 diesel fuel/oil cut? Is it necessary? I I just picked up 2 5gallon buckets out of a 2011 Ram 3500 that I’m gonna use for my 16’. Figured I’d get a dollar store mop and go at it.

[@ashland82391]

From my understanding it's just to thin the oil so it will soak into the wook better

[@johnjasinski6145]

any follow up since you oiled the trailer wood? How is it holding up?, Are you still happy with the results now that its been on there for 6.58 months?

[@ashland82391]

It’s doing great. It’s not a shiny anymore but still looks great. No oily residue either. Sits in the Arizona sun 24/7

[@gordgoroth]

@@ashland82391 does it get slick when it's wet? I want to do this to the wood I'm going to build a walkway out of and give it a few weeks to dry but if it's gonna be a wet banana in the rain or snow then never mind.

[@Wheresjay]

@@ashland82391 what about now? Still loving it?

[@jamesmiller8258]

Used motor oil makes the wood soft, need to use boiled linseed oil it will make the wood last longer

[@kevin43324332]

maybe a stupid question but does it make the wood slick when it rains? How long does it take to get into the wood enough to be usable?

[@Jason000111mmw]

This is my question also. Did you ever get a answer

[@dalwilliams8167]

do you have the exact recipe for this mix? i want my fence to look like this also is the wood pine? sorry im at work can cant hear anything

[@dachsymom5232]

I know you were asking him but I thought I would share. 50% diesel 50 % used oil. Old method dating back 100 years on US farms. 🇺🇸 you can also spray it.

[@pauljansky7971]

BAD IDEA NOW EVERYTHING YOU CARRY ON TRAILER WILL HAVE DIRTY OIL ON IT

[@ashland82391]

That is not true. After about 2 weeks of sitting the oil soaked into the wood and I washed off the film. There is no residue on the deck. If your interested, I could post a follow up video.

[@HODMEChannel]

@@ashland82391 please do

[@perryellisonjr9303]

No it won’t my family did this on the farm for 3 generations after it soaks in it’s good to go,and it last a lllloooonnnngggg time

[@crazydavidsmith]

@@ashland82391 Post the follow-up! 👏 I just learned of this technique today from another video comment. Show us how it's held up. 🙂

[@Wheresjay]

@@ashland82391 pleas do!