Pick-up Bed Liners

tc35dforme · Oct 24, 2005

Not looking brand specific, but any opinions on spray on heavy duty bed lining materials for pick-up truck beds.

I've got a spanky new truck coming in ( company sponsored /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif ) and was thinking of doing something to keep it up.

I hate the plastic drop-ins...too slippery and the rubber mats offer limited protection.

Comments.....

Dozernut · Oct 24, 2005

I had a spray in liner in my old truck, it was dealer installed. I haul one ton pallets in the back of my trucks and the bed liner would scuff off to bare metal. I can't tell you about the major brands of spray liners, but I am leery of them. Maybe someone out there can post a positive experience on them.

Cliff_Johns · Oct 24, 2005

Have a look at this previous thread on the subject.
Cliff

VA_Joe · Oct 24, 2005

You can't go wrong with the spray-on. Most installers will touch up the spray-on if it ever gets scuffed. Although your mileage may vary - the "down to bare metal" scuffing rarely happens with normal usage.

Then again it depends on your definition of normal usage, what you are going to haul, and how you plan to load it. A heavy pallet with nails sticking out the bottom and pushed into the bed via fork lift will likely cause scuffing. But then again - this type of useage will likely damage a drop-in as well.

My vote is for the spray-on as it is a much nicer/neater install. It also doesn't interfere with other truck accessories.

My two cents.

Joe

Shimon · Oct 25, 2005

I've got Line-X in my truck and it's about 5 years old and has held up really well. Rhino is good too but is more rubbery which keeps stuff from sliding around. I didn't want the rubbery stuff so went with Line-X which is harder. I've seen both brands and I think they are both excellent. I've also seen the spray on stuff you can buy in the stores and that stuff doesn't even come close to the pro stuff.

VA_Joe · Oct 25, 2005

The one that I have is a Line-X as well. I am very happy with it.

Joe

HGM · Oct 25, 2005

I agree, the store bought stuff is nowhere near the same quality as the professional stuff. I have used it on small projects where t worked OK, but I would never use it for a truck.

Egon · Oct 25, 2005

My truck has a scratched and dented box showing some signs of rust at the wear points of where the camper sits.

I have applied a few coats of Tremclad paint and then spread glass sandblasting beads on the floor. Painted again and more beads. Looks okay and seems like it should not be smooth and slippery but only use will tell.

An experiment costing maybe twenty dollars so nothing lost. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Egon

LarryRB · Oct 25, 2005

( I agree, the store bought stuff is nowhere near the same quality as the professional stuff. I have used it on small projects where t worked OK, but I would never use it for a truck. )

I have store bought and not a single problem.. 4 1/2 years now, tons of everything from riding lawn tractors, steel, hay bales, cement, other parts, etc.... Yes, it is scratched everywhere,,, It has not protruded through to the original steel on my pick up bed.,. I bought Bondo brand two part epoxy liner, installed my self.. let the truck sit in the garage for four days, then started driving it.. ALso add side pipes to it... The Bondo brand did come with warning labels every other sentence, not to allow a single drop of water on it for first 72 hours. and thus the reason the truck stayed in garage, Total cost was under a 100.00 and 4 hours of labor..

LMTC · Oct 25, 2005

Had Rhino sprayed in the bed of the F250 we use for most of our general running around, and deliveries under 7k. Fair amount of equipment, etc. gets tossed into the bed, and it has never been garaged. Bed looks like 90% of new. Couldn't be happier. It does help keep things from sliding too. I am very happy with it.

George2615 · Oct 25, 2005

I had a drop in liner many years ago on another truck. Nothing but rust when I took it out. Water got between the liner and the bed. Swore I'd never do that again. My previous truck I didn't put any liner in. Had a liner sprayed in before I traded it in and it covered all the scratches and looked like new. Current truck is an 05 Duramax 3/4T 4x4. I had a spray in liner put in by the dealer.

The advantages I see are:
1) Water can't get between the liner and the bed.
2) The rubberized finish holds most loads in place (prevents sliding).
3) More ding resistant bed.
4) Better trade in value later.

The disadvantage:
1) I can no longer slide anything in the bed due to #2 above.
A real PITA when you have to lift, carry, and place items in the bed. Other than that I have no complaint and would recommend a spray in liner to any pickup owner.

LarryRB · Oct 25, 2005

( Had Rhino sprayed in the bed of the F250 we use for most of our general running around, and deliveries under 7k. Fair amount of equipment, etc. gets tossed into the bed, and it has never been garaged. Bed looks like 90% of new. Couldn't be happier. It does help keep things from sliding too. I am very happy with it.

)
I was just respondong to the guy that said store bought doesn't work, or is inferior.... It is not by a long shot,. Only difference between the spray in and do it yourself is the rubberized finish that prevents sliding. The two part epoxy I used is like glass, still 4 1/2 years later,. Banged up looking, oh Yes.. Scratches galore... Still hasn't penetrated to the original body and that was what I was after to begin with...

1bush2hog · Oct 25, 2005

I would question #3 if you are comparing spray liner to drop-in liner. I personally believe the drop-in liners have more 'ding' protection.

I have had both, but prefer line-X over the drop-in's, for most of same reasons mentioned. I also liked Line-X over Rhino, but that was a personal preference.

Maybe the ideal solution would be to have a drop-in liner on top of a sprayed -in liner? /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Gomez · Oct 25, 2005

I had Line-X installed and been very happy with it, my neighbor also had the same experience.

GeneD14 · Oct 25, 2005

I had a spray in Rhino lining in my last truck. After 2 years the shiney black faded to a dull finish. The Rhino dealer said that I could buy a bottle of stuff from him that would make it shiney again for a while for about $70! I really like the spray in liners so on my new truck I went with another brand that guarantees the finish against fading.

1bush2hog · Oct 25, 2005

"I went with another brand that guarantees the finish against fading."

What brand would that be?

KubotaSteve · Oct 25, 2005

My brother had the lineX spray in liner. He had it put in a brand new Dodge Dakota back in 1999. They told him it had a lifetime warranty. A piece came off the tailgate and they fixed it free of charge but said that would be it on free repairs. It may have just been that shop that was trying to get over on him. A guy in a full size Dodge plowed into the rear end of his truck pushing him into a tractor trailer. The truck was totaled and the bed was all twisted and bent but the liner never released. I have pictures but would have to make them smaller to get them under the size limitation.
With all of that said, on his new pick-up he is getting a spray in liner.

HGM · Oct 25, 2005

Sorry Larry,
I didnt mean to infer that the product you like isnt any good. My experience is with the Duplicolor spray on stuff in a can. It is by far a lighter duty material than the professional stuff. Sure you can get the 2part epoxy kits and do a fair job yourself, I just wanted to caution against thinking they are all the same. When I do my truck or Jeep tub, I will likely have it sprayed by a pro just for the simple reason that a roller cant fit everywhere and brush strokes are not what I will be looking for. Would these 2part kits give a good quality finish? Well, yes like any other paint on material, its only as good as your prep.

rswyan · Oct 25, 2005

( I hate the plastic drop-ins...too slippery and the rubber mats offer limited protection. )

Then get the best of both (or the worst of both, depending on your opinion):

Dualcomp bedliners

Dargo · Oct 25, 2005

As Dozernut mentioned, you will wear through any spray in liner on certain edges if you haul pallets. I have hauled hundreds of 2000 pound and 3000 pallets in the back of my trucks. I've had both spray in and drop in liners. Using a fork truck and heavy pallets, both will likely suffer some damage. I ripped off several tail gate plastic liners as well with pallets, and I do have to tie down even 3000 pound pallets if they are on a plastic liner.

After heavy use with each, I think I still prefer the professionally applied spray on liner. I really can't recall if the liner I have now is a Line X or Rhino liner. Too many trucks. Anyway, I've had the last few sprayed on a little heavier than standard, and that has helped. I think I was charged $50 extra to make my liner right at 3/8" thick. I still wear through on some high spots when shoving pallets in though. In those spots, I simply use a disposable brush and dab on some "Hercu-Liner" (sp?) and don't worry about it. I use my truck to haul very heavy pallets, so I expect some damage. The stuff is pretty tough overall though. I wouldn't expect trouble other than what I mentioned.

I guess I ought to mention that the first spray in liner I had installed was to cover rust and damage from a drop in liner in a used truck I bought. The drop in liner was shot and when I took it out, it had worn through the paint all over the place and there was some pretty good rust starting. After I had that truck sprayed, it looked great and in the 4 years I kept it, it never came off and the rust never came back.