How are you finishing your drawer/storage systems

[off-roader]

I started to inquire on another thread why folks finished their storage systems using finishes that I'd think wouldn't last in the dirty environs synonymous with off road use.

To clarify the use further... for my application off road the surface will have tools, steel/metal hardware thrown on them regularly and in some cases have to travel short distances (10's of yards/meters) with tools atop before I can pull over to a safe location and store them.

What are you all using to protect your storage systems from the elements? dirt? sand? dust? etc.

I've made several storage systems for my various 4x4's over the years. 2 were made using exterior grade carpet and one using exterior paint.

CARPET
Carpet definitely handled the abuse better but over time I found the dirt got into every fiber making it too dirty to use (even after vacuuming)! Only solution was to replace the carpet but unfortunately, I had used glue along with staples to adhere the carpet to the wood.

PAINT
Unlike the carpet which still looked nice the exterior grade paint DID NOT handle the off road abuse well at all and the surface easily marred and dented and the wore through the paint. I won't be making that mistake again.

I imagine (although I'm not keen to try and 'personally' verify it) other finishes like clear lacquers, or polyeurethane will also have this problem.

Other options I've considered...
Melamine: Nice smooth & easily cleanable surface but would it wear well?
Perhaps there's a Herculiner type of product but with a smooth texture that's easily cleaned and able to handle the wear.

Replaceable black uhmw material would be interesting too but I'm not sure if the cost would make it unreasonable.

Vinyl fabric over the wood surfaces: Easily cleaned, easily replaced.

Thin 'rubber' sheet material (is this readily available in the US?)

Any others? What actually works?

TIA:coffeedrink:

 

[Corey]

Black carpet for speaker box builds.

I have had this box since 2000 or so, a Boeing carpenter at work built it at home in his spare time.

It has a nice finish on it too that has held up over the years, even when throwing tools in/out of the two rigs it has occupied, and all the camping gear that has been stacked on it.

Box looks as good as the day it was built.
I forget what kind of wood it is, but it is a very high grade.

 

[Corey]

PS...
I have found the carpet has held up very well.
The glue around the outer edges above the drawer openings has come a little use, but not much.

The carpet itself is very durable and always vacuums up just fine, even after getting a lot of dirt on it.
Just vacuumed it yesterday after cleaning up the rig from my camping trip.

My box though is not for camping gear, but for tools.

 

[njtaco]

Hey, I just popped over from the thread you referred to...and see your point, to a point. I love the look of woodgrain, and if/when I assemble a drawer system in my Fj62, it will likely be a clear finish.

Polyurethanes and the like I can see getting scratched up, like you said.

What about a layer of fiberglass saturated with resin on the top of the cabinet? It would be durable, you can still see the wood, and a couple of coats of resin would be hard to damage with "normal" camping use. Topcoat with something UV blocking (varnish?) and it could be re-applied each season without too much effort.

Anyone have a good reason NOT to go this route? I realize it won't be AS good looking as other finishes, but other than that???

Another suggestion could be Formica or other brand laminate. Easy to apply, durable, plenty of colors and patterns to choose from. And light.

HDPE was suggested, but what about plain old sheets of white ABS? Drill-able, able to be cut with conventional tools, glue-able, paint-able (I think) and not too expensive. If you just fasten a piece to the top and replace it (turn it over) when it gets too bad, there won't be any refinishing needed.

Or go with Corian (or the like) and sand out the scratches once in a while.

Box looks as good as the day it was built.
I forget what kind of wood it is, but it is a very high grade.

Like Corey alluded to, quality building materials last longer, and keep their finish longer.

 

[FlatlinesUp]

they make a self leveling epoxy for commercial table and bar tops, you might ask at your local supplier for some. It goes on relatively thick and is pretty decent as far as taking a beating if you are wanting to stick with a clear...

 

[bobDog]

PS...
I have found the carpet has held up very well.
The glue around the outer edges above the drawer openings has come a little use, but not much.

The carpet itself is very durable and always vacuums up just fine, even after getting a lot of dirt on it.
Just vacuumed it yesterday after cleaning up the rig from my camping trip.

My box though is not for camping gear, but for tools.

Going w/ automotive carpet here. I seen in many rigs and the only prob I ever seen was the edge curling up (bad glue job?). I've even seen folks use velcro on small bags that stuck to the carpet.
Mine is finished w/ Valspar for the last 3 years and nothing stays put unless its tied down:sombrero:

 

[Spur]

Poly is very durable. If it's durable enough for my hardwood floors and my workbench, it's durable enough for some drawers. Besides, what's wrong with scratches?

 

[southpier]

if the drawers are constructed of a good (visually) material, why not tung oil them? if not, there could be a top layer 1/4" applied, & tung oiled. if it got too banged up, the top layer could be changed out for new.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tung_oil


http://www.realmilkpaint.com/floortung.html

 

[FLYFISHEXPERT]

For me, I felt I needed something that could hold up to wet dogs. I do a fair amount of bird hunting, and in the fall the dogs can get rather wet from rain, snow, or just a jump in the pond. I tested two bed liner coatings and went with the Herculiner to protect the top and drawer fronts.

 

[off-roader]

I tested two bed liner coatings and went with the Herculiner to protect the top and drawer fronts.

How did they hold up to mud? My friends have used it externally on rocker panels and no matter how good you clean them, they always seem to discolor from the mud (i.e. they're no longer as black as they originally were).

 

[UK4X4]

Shiny anything----------everything you pack will be as if on skates, sliding around everywhere.

Your gloss becomes matt with even just a few grains of sand.

Carpet yes fills with dirt after a while, but with a good vacume and brush most re-appears, and a once a year agood deep clean.

Rubber matt's work nice, easy to clean, but then the sand then disappears down the sides at every oportunity.

Being that I'm in the desert I'm fitting rubber matt's to mine, but just know
I going to have dunes forming behind my seats and in the side box's

 

[toyota_jon]

I think you're best bet if you're concerned with ruggedness is going to be herculiner or something of the sort. if you apply a UV top coat on it then it should hold the shiny black longer. and in addition if you do manage to mar it or scratch it you can easily touch it up. I used marine carpet for my box and while i like it, i have a yellow lab that shedds A LOT! so i'm always vacuuming it and pulling out the duct tape to get all the hair out. I think my dog is about to get shaved...:elkgrin:

 

[FLYFISHEXPERT]

How did they hold up to mud? My friends have used it externally on rocker panels and no matter how good you clean them, they always seem to discolor from the mud (i.e. they're no longer as black as they originally were).

This will be the first season with the new setup. When I mentioned I tested two coatings, I should have elaborated. I make two test patches on the material I was going to use. The first, Duplicolor product, was more like thin paint with sand as grit. I did not like this at all. It might be fine for metal, but for the prepped wood I was using, it looked terrible and did not provide the texture I would have liked. I took that back and picked up a small can of Herculiner. Tested it on another sample section, and loved it. Has definitely held gear, and dogs, in place and will get a real test this Sept. and Oct. when I am on week long trips.

I decided against adding a UV topcoat because of the tinted windows in the back of my 4Runner. We will see how it fairs this fall, and if I need to, I will add a 3rd coat and a topcoat. If I were to use this outside...well, I probably would not use this outside, for the reason of UV issues and I believe I would rather have a professional LineX done.

Here is a shot just after the first coat:

 

[THATSALEXUS?]

I still think that for an off road vehicle, that Line-X is the perfect finish. I've had mine in for about 2 1/2 years now and have never had one regret. Here's what it looks like (post 65) http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9034&page=7

 

[William]

I used the Duplicolor bed liner on my speaker box. Ended up applying 6 coats and most of a gallon container, the thicker the better. Slop it on thick and roll it out with the nub roller that comes with the application kit. I'll end up using the same product when I build my storage later this year, it's tough stuff.

FWIW, let your project sit for several days to completely off gas any residual vapors and solvents. I let mine air dry for three days and it still put off enough vapor to set me spinning. :jump: