Tuesday, February 20, 2018

Selecting the Right Wood Finish for your Platform Trailer


In order to be durable for the long-term, all platform trailer decks need to be properly installed and maintained as they are constantly exposed to severe weather conditions.

With wooden decks the exposure to severe weather naturally causes the boards to shrink and swell the wood and subjects the deck to high levels of stress.

Without proper maintenance, even well built trailers utilizing only the most durable and strongest of wood species can potentially develop problems such as checks and cracks, raised grain, and mildew, thus increasing the risk of decay and insect attack (and ultimately floor failure) as the natural process of weathering occurs.

Because of these risks, lumber used in most platform trailer decks is usually pressure treated with a preservative, or is a naturally durable wood such as Apitong, Parangelim, Purpleheart, Oak or Douglas Fir. 




Regularly applying an additional finish to wood decks has been proven to be the most cost-effective way to prolong the life of your deck and minimize the problems of cracking, raised grain, and mildew growth.

Apitong Oil by ExoShield is a MADE IN THE USA product which offers superior protection for wood applications on platform trailers. Our secret formula protects your trailer's deck while allowing the natural beauty of the wood to remain the focus.

Using a proprietary blend of Tung Oil, Fungicide, and Trans-oxide pigments, the exclusive Apitong Oil formula provides long-lasting penetrative protection for exterior wood applications while using only the finest components.

The use of Tung Oil originated thousands of years ago in China where it was used as a preservative on wooden ships. Today it is the woodworkers’ #1 choice to add protection and beauty to a finished project. Apitong Oil takes advantage of the penetrative and protective properties that Tung Oil serves to create a naturally durable and long-lasting deck finish. The Tung Oil used in our Apitong Oil formulation contributes to provide a naturally water-resistant, acid-resistant, and easy to use deck finish. Apitong Oil also greatly reduces the chances of boards either cracking or warping when correctly applied.

Fungicide is an key component to maintaining the timeless beauty of your exterior wood project. Apitong Oil not only offers protection from harmful UV rays and water damage, but it also includes a fungicide in the formula that will keep your decking in top shape, and free of fungus, mould and mildew. This is just another reason why Apitong Oil is the answer for all exterior wood applications on platform trailers.

To further protect your deck from the sun's harmful UV rays we use trans-oxide pigments in Apitong Oil, adding to the longevity of the structure and color. The pigments used in our Apitong Oil will bring out and protect the natural colors of the wood it’s used on, providing a long-lasting vivid result. Apitong Oil will lengthen the lifespan of the wood's original color, delaying the graying process. When applied every one to two years, your deck will maintain a nearly brand-new appearance, with very little maintenance.

To learn more about Apitong Oil by ExoShield please visit us at https://www.trailerdecking.com/ProductID4029 or call 1-855-APITONG