Propickup Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/150744
BED LINERS & PROTECTION for the bulkhead, sides and tailgate are held in place by hook-and-loop fasteners in both models. The BedRug liners are offered in an ashgray color and the BedTred comes in black. Both can also be easily removed when the truck is traded in or sold. Both DualLiner and BedRug modular liners tout a tight, custom fit that is said to prevent chaffing, and both offer softer, impact-cushioning floor protection that is easier on the knees than either a drop-in or a spraytype liner. As with the simple rubber mat, these liners also offer some protection to the cargo itself, preventing scuffs to items such as furniture, appliances and electronics. SPRAY-ONS On the other hand, spray-on liner brands such as Bullet, Line-X, Rhino, Scorpion and Toff tend to be rugged, with a decidedly granular surface. As the name implies, a spray-on liner is applied as a liquid and then cures to a seamless coating. Most spray-on liners are composed of polyurethanes and polyureas, which are also used to formulate many high-performance adhesives and sealants. These polymers are blended with granules of rubber or other additives to create a slip-resistant texture. About two hours of prep work must be performed on a truck bed in order for the coating to adhere properly. Poor prep means a poor result. The prep begins with a thoroughly scuffing of the factory clearcoat paint to remove the gloss where the liner will be applied. The substrate is then cleaned with a solvent such as xylene or acetone to remove any residual grease, oil or rust. The bed and body are papered and masked-off to prevent overspray, and any bare-metal surfaces are painted with an etching primer to ensure proper bonding. The spraying itself generally takes less than half an hour once the prep is completed, and most spray-on products set quickly – some in as little as seconds. For a full cure, however, it's better to wait about 24 hours before using the truck bed after it has been sprayed. While most spray-on installations are best left to professional applicators who may use a paint booth and a "hot" method for products – such as Line-X, Diamond Liners and others (which are applied at temperatures upward of 130 degrees Fahrenheit) – there are do-it-yourself products available such as Al's Liner, Herculiner and Grizzly Grip. The obvious advantage to DIY liners is price. At least one product, Herculiner, is applied with rollers rather than as a spray, and Al's Liner can be rolled, brushed or sprayed. The same prep work is required, but do-it-yourselfers can also control the thickness of the material through repeated applications with either spray or rollers. Thicker applications require more material, so the under-$100 price for some DIY products can quickly rise if you're looking for a more substantial coating. Spray products can also be applied to other areas of a truck – or a boat, RV, trailer or anywhere a nonskid surface is desirable. For example, we had Line-X coat our Project Big Boss Ram 2500's fender flares, bumpers and lower Spray-on liners are rugged and cure to a seamless, slip-resistant coating. They are the only type of liner that can be colormatched. Application quality is critical. rocker panels at the same time they coated the bed (See Big Boss Line-X: propickupmag.com/bigboss-line-xd). The price for any spray-on liner will vary, depending on the size of the vehicle and how much of the bed (including under or over the rail) will be coated, but sprayon liners can be added to virtually any type of truck, including pickups fitted with utility beds. Installed prices for a standard pickup generally run between $300 and $700 but may increase if a color-matched top coat (such as Line-X Xtra) or special UV protectants are required. OVER THE LONG HAUL In recent years, some dealerships and even OEMs have begun to offer spray-on liners as an option. As with drop-ins, the benefits include factory warranty and financing, but one source also pointed out that the factory is subject to the government's CAFE standards, making weight an issue. A typical sprayed-on liner may add upward of 50 pounds to the weight of a truck, so the factory may opt for a thinner coat than would be applied by an aftermarket installer or a dealership working with an independent. While most spray-on liners include a UV component, nearly all fade over time, unless the more expensive special coatings are applied. Line-X worked closely with Dupont to develop a highly UV-resistant color-coat, similar to automotive paint/clear. In fact it's color-mixed using the vehicle's VIN paint code and sprayed over the Line-X base to give a nearperfect body color match. Many spray-on manufacturers also offer color choices, but installers point out that black is the least expensive coating and goes with anything. Spray-on liners are essentially permanent, so they're not easily removed at resale time. On the other hand, they may be repaired with an overcoat if they should be marred during their working life. Each type of liner offers unique benefits. Selecting the one that's right for a given pickup is dependent upon how the truck is used. Some of the characteristics to bear in mind include the type of padding and impact resistance needed, whether a seamless, permanently bonded surface or a removable unit is required and, of course, price. When considering that last item, however, remember that a damaged bed reduces the value of any truck. 14 PROPICKUP Big Book 2013 ProPickup_2013BB_Bed Liners.indd 14 8/6/13 9:33 AM