Do it yourself bed liner

[kossetx]

I need an opinion on this stuff. I have a 16' trailer that has 4' expanded metal sides. It has rusted up and need worked on. I'm going to wire brush it and put some rust reformer on. I was wondering if instead of paint I should apply the liquid bed liner for a finish over the reformer.

Has anyone used this stuff and are they durable and easy to use?

TIA, Mark

 

[MrJimi]

I could be wrong because I am not familiar with ( rust reformer ) but as far as I know everything has to be clean and dry and properly prepared for anything to stick.
Jim

 

[jeffinsgf]

I have used the bed liner. It doesn't hold up as well as the commercially applied stuff, but it holds up better than paint. Don't use it if you want stuff to slide on your trailer floor -- 'cause it won't.

 

[bones1]

Used Herculiner on a 12 ft trailer that was pretty rusty.Came out fine and It's ugly but a lot more durable than paint.

 

[uphill]

I used the black liquid stuff from Napa on a diamond bright aluminum tool box and it took 2 quarts. $$+ I rolled it on with a 4 inch roller.
It had a gritty finish but never came off, maybe faded a little.

Later I used the black spray stuff from Napa on another aluminum tool box and it looked like a factory job, shiny black and smooth. It did chip or scratch some, probably due to a thin layer from the spraying, but I just sprayed on another coat.

 

[kossetx]

I thought wall mart had this but my store doesn't. Any other large stores carry it? Thanks

 

[jimmer2880]

I used some Herculiner roll-on stuff. I used an underbody spray gun ($10.00 at harbor Freight) to spray the entire inside of my jeep about 5 years ago. I spent about 8 hours preping it (removing the seats, plugging the bolt holes that needed to have bolts re-inserted, taping, etc). I also spent several hours just going over it with a scotch-brite pad and Zylene. They say that prep is what makes the durability when it comes to Herculiner. I spent a huge amt of time prepping. The actual spraying only took ~10 minutes per coat with 20 minutes between coats.

It has been quite durable. I'll admit, probably not as durable as the commercial stuff, but at 1/5 the cost, I just wouldn't have been able to afford the commercial stuff.

If at all possible, spray it on though. It does a much better job. I have since sprayed 2 other things which have both turned out very well & durable.

 

[bamatoolmaker]

Jimmer could you post a pic of the jeep?

 

[bjcsc]

I did the exact same thing with my Jeep. Lots of prep. It turned out great and has been very durable. I also sprayed it, but with a texture gun. We use Herculiner on trailers a lot (horse trailers and flatbeds). We always spray it with a texture gun. I don't think it would be effective on expanded metal, esp. since you would waste most of it.

A word of caution: If you get Herculiner on you, or anything else, and it dries you will not get it off...

 

[john_bud]

.
I spent about 8 hours preping it (removing the seats, plugging the bolt holes that needed to have bolts re-inserted, taping, etc). I also spent several hours just going over it with a scotch-brite pad and Zylene. They say that prep is what makes the durability when it comes to Herculiner. I spent a huge amt of time prepping. The actual spraying only took ~10 minutes per coat with 20 minutes between coats.

It has been quite durable. I'll admit, probably not as durable as the commercial stuff, but at 1/5 the cost, I just wouldn't have been able to afford the commercial stuff.

.

I agree with Jimmer 100%. I did the box in a Kawasaki Mule. It took a lot of time to prep. Taping, then sanding and retaping where the sand paper hit the tape. Then retaping where the solvent dissolved the tape. The coat has been good, but not nearly as thick as the expensive stuff.

I would seriously consider a pressure sand blaster to get the rust off. Wire brushing would take forever!

jb

 

[jimmer2880]

Unfortunately, I didn't take any pic's of my jeep during this project.

I will agree on the "it won't come off" part. If you are looking for a very intertaining read, do a google search for: Hootus +Herculiner There are many pages of a guy who accidentally got herculiner someplace bad when nature called. Hilarious story.

And, yes, it's not as thick as the pro stuff. There isn't any comparison. But, at 1/5 the price, I can't complain.

I just realized that I can't find the el-cheap-o underbody gun I used. Harbor freight doesn't carry it anymore. BJCSC - would you mind posting a link to the type "texture gun" you use?

 

[bjcsc]

BJCSC - would you mind posting a link to the type "texture gun" you use?

Yep, nothing fancy but it does a great job (I use the 4mm nozzle with Herc.)

Texture Gun

 

[jimmer2880]

That looks like it would do a good job. Does the hopper have a lid to keep the paint/herc from spilling out? Knowing my luck, I'd trip over the air hose

Know I know what to buy if my underbody gun ever dies.

 

[bjcsc]

It doesn't have a lid, but the top half is covered (you can see it in the picture). You can rotate the hopper depending on whether you're shooting up or down to keep it from spilling...

 

[rtdiggr]

i heard duplicolor truck bed liner works well, but i haven't used it myself. Truck Bed Coatings

 

[excelagator]

I used the Duplicolor bedliner on my rocksliders. I did prime the metal with rustoleum rusty metal oil primer (spraygun). Then I appiled the bedliner (brush). I did get to try it out a week later. I unfortunately was going through a difficult section and slid sideways into a rock. The bedliner did show a scuff, but none was removed.

Dan

 

[jimmer2880]

That sounds like it's pretty durable then. The gun looks reasonable also - I found it for $50.00 here Dupli-Color® Truck Bed Coating Spray Gun

 

[Kays Supply]

I use Durabak coating on my trackhoe trailer. The one thing about it is you can get it in colors. If that matters. You can also get it in gritty or smooth.
303-690-7190 . Or Google Durabak. Oh! Tough as nails.

 

[kossetx]

Thanks for the replies folks! I was going to put a black bedliner on the trailer,, but if they come in colors, I'll probably do that. A sprayer is out for expanded metal though.

Anyone know how much per gallon or where it is cheapest?

 

[Kays Supply]

Durabak site --- nonslipcoating.com