Wood bed kit

I ordered a wood bed kit from LMC Truck and it arrived a few weeks ago. It all came in one box that weighed 113 pounds! The wood is red oak and I decided to go with the stainless steel hardware so it doesn't rust. I am planning on painting the wood black for durability and an original factory look. I found a very interesting and informative article where Mar-K Parts tested several different finishes. Black paint out lasted all clear coat finishes. This is the magic formula:

- Three brushed coats of POR-15 Rust Preventative Paint three hours apart
- Then three coats brushed Behr best quality black exterior latex enamel, three hours apart.

This combination of paints lasted for five years of continuous outdoor exposure to Oklahoma weather.