By Alan Bullington

This truck bed liner review compares do it yourself bed liner kits with professional spray-on liners. In each category several brands are compared and contrasted.

Professional Spray-on Bed Liners.

Advantages.

Protects bed from damage by moisture and rust.

Thick, durable coatings protect bed from minor impacts. Unharmed by gas, diesel fuel, many chemicals. Many include UV inhibitors to protect against fading from sun exposure. Repairable. Fast application, only takes two to three hours. Guaranteed. Some are available in several colors.

Disadvantages

Costs up to $700 or even more…

Bed Liner in a Kit (Do it Yourself)

Advantages

Costs far less, about one-fifth or less compared to the pro version.

Can do individual parts or pieces. Lets you do it yourself (for hard-headed, cheap individualists). Looks almost just like spray-on professional job. Can be sprayed, rolled or brushed on.

Disadvantages

Thinner coat more easily damaged.

May peel if surface poorly prepared. More tendency to fade in color. Preparation takes some time and elbow grease. Potential for a mess if you get coating where you don’t want it. Available in only a few colors.

Spray-on Truck Bed Liner Review of Sources

Rhino Linings

Over 2 million installations. In business since 1988. Local franchises worldwide. Guaranteed protection. Installation takes only about 2 hours. Now has three different types of coatings and different textures. Offers colors. Thick rubber-like tough finish up to about 1/4 inch thick. The standard.

Line-X

Similar to Rhino for cost and application procedure. Line-X generally has a finer texture. Can spray varying thicknesses. Many dealers. Like Rhino can be repaired readily. Guaranteed.

Speedliner

Since 1995 has offered a competitive product. A urethane material sprayed with conventional spray equipment. Thick coating said to be stronger than the competition and with better UV light resistance. Many dealers.

Many Others

There are many other competitors with similar products and processes. Some were started by former employees of these companies or others.

Bed Liner In A Kit Truck Bed Liner Review

Herculiner

Seems to be the most widely available. Offers a kit that includes all the supplies for finishing a bed. Coating is polyurethane that can be sprayed, brushed or rolled. Said to be 5 times as thick as the competition. Comes in red, gray and black. Dries in about 4 hours. Easily repaired. Like all the other products of this type, surface preparation is critical. Poor surface preparation is the most likely cause for failure. Kit is about $100.

Plasti-Kote

A division of Varathane. Brush, roll or spray. Texture is non-skid rubber granules. Recommended for original factory paint surfaces. Warning that it may lift or wrinkle non-original paint finishes. I would guess that any brand might do that. Comes not only in a gallon can but also in an aerosol can especially useful for touch-up. About $60 per gallon of finish.

Magnaliner

Kit available containing all supplies (except acetone solvent for cleaning) for an 8 foot truck bed. Includes 1 1/4 gallons of finish. Also includes a special primer designed for roller application. Said to be formulated from UV stable polyurethanes to help finish stay black and bright and resist graying. Costs about $200 for kit.

Whether you choose a professional spray-on liner or a do it yourself roll-on kit, you can get a truck bed liner that protects your truck and makes it look better.

About the Author: The right drop in liner is tough and affordable. Visit our article for tips to choose drop in truck bed liners that will work right. We invite you to visit our plastic bed liners article for answers to your truck bed liner questions.

Source: isnare.com

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