2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission herculiner: Your Thoughts?

[TowPro]

I am ordering a new truck and have a question about bed liners.



I have always used a plastic bed liner, but Reese don't like the way I mount the 5th wheel hitch. I drill 1" holes through the liner, then stand the hitch rails up on top of several grade 8 washers. I always put washers on all 4 corners or each rail, plus I always add 2 bolts in the center of each rail to stop the rails from bending. IN 8 years the only problem I have had is dirt gets under the bed liner through the 1" holes, and the fact you can't remove the bed liner without taking the hitch rails off (so I never remove the bed liner).



This time I was thinking of using a spray on liner. (the only solution recomended by Reese for mounting rails on top of. )



The truck is not a work truck, the only thing I load it in some wood from time to time, or stuff I need to haul that is to big for the car, and maybe a dirt bike and my slidin camper.



What do you guys think of Hurculiner? To pay someone for a spray in liner is around $450. 00, I got the time to do it myself and I sure don't mind saving $300. 00

 

[fkovalski]

I havethe HercuLiner in both my trucks. For me it works well. I use my truck for camping and the occasional firewood, home center run... etc. If I were a contrctor or in a trade where the bed would have more severe use then I would go for the pro installed sprat- in liner as it is much thicker to stand up to abuse. The do-it- yourself kit is perfect for me (and my wallet!) It does not have the same 'smoothness' as the spray- on liners, but stilll looks good.

 

[McCRam]

We put herculiner on one of our flat beds and it has held up well to some serious abuse. After a year and a half it has started to fade. But on the other hand we rarely even wash that truck so that might have something to do with it. I would use it again.

 

[TowPro]

I was thinking of maybe spraying it with This



Eastwood has some other bed liner kits anybody ever use any of these?

 

[fkovalski]

I would look fisrt at what the undercoating is like in direct sun. It my be too tacky for bed use in high temps. One nice thing about the HercuLiner is: if it does fade or gets a deep scratch- it's not a big deal to get a quart or 2 and do the bed surface again!

 

[TowPro]

I just called Herculiner. They said by using a sprayer I will get a much smother finish. In fact the quart can has the same threads on top that it looks like the gun I linked to in my top post has. He said to reduce it with 10% xylene to spray.



Guess that is how I will do it! If I use the gray product, it might not look as bad after UV's work it over (plus its a gray truck). Besides, it will be below a tonno cover most of the time anyway

 

[RustyJC]

Just be careful and don't get it on your hootus!! :-laf :-laf



Rusty

 

[fkovalski]

Make sure that you follow the prep directions! I have heard of folks who bash the do- it- youself stuff cause the coating comes off in sheets! This stuff will stick (use those single use- medical type gloves) but only if the surface is prepped correctly.

 

[fkovalski]

Just be careful and don't get it on your hootus!! :-laf :-laf



Rusty

Rusty- do you have a link to that trhead? That is hillarious :-laf

 

[RustyJC]

Rusty- do you have a link to that trhead? That is hillarious :-laf

Lookie what I found: LINK



Rusty

 

[sootgrinder]

Herc

I just put the Herc on last week. Take your time with the prep, and you should have no problem. I put black in my truck and will let it fade a while. I have had no problem with my other truck in the heat or cold. I would put it in my next truck too.

 

[Boomer II]

I guess he missed the "wear gloves" part in the instructions. I just used some on a home project and it turned out pretty nice, didn't get any on my hootus either!!

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I got one of the smaller cans of the stuff to do my step bars - came out like this:



#ad






Has stood up quite well, and I'll keep what's left for touchups on the Line-X stuff in the bed if needed...

 

[amnewsom]

Any tricks to laying it down smooth? I have heard have a paint shop spin it right before you plan on starting so the beads mix evenly.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Any tricks to laying it down smooth? I have heard have a paint shop spin it right before you plan on starting so the beads mix evenly.

It needs to be shaken or stirred quite well before application, and I used a small (narrow) paint roller on my step bars, but a larger one should be fine for larger flat surfaces. I used 2 layers on my step bars - 3 might be even better in a truck bed for better thickness and protection. Like the fella further above said, preparation and cleanliness is the key to a job you will be proud of.

 

[RBrosel]

Hurculiner

The prep is very important,the shine must be removed from what ever is to be finished. Results for for me were excellent, but it is like a two day job part time with ruffing and two coats of Hurculiner.

 

[amnewsom]

Truck bed users, how many coats? Time to dry between - tacky like auto paint?

 

[fkovalski]

Truck bed users, how many coats? Time to dry between - tacky like auto paint?

The gallon will do a short bed with tailgate- 1 coat. 1 gallon for a long bed will not cover the tailgate- need another quart for everything- 1coat.



I bought 2 gallons. Covered everything 1 caot (long bed. ) Saved the rest to do another coat for bed surface when needed in the future.



As far as time to dry to do 2 coat right away, I would say let it dry enough to be able to walk on. my bed was reasonably dry to do it the next day. But that was in the summer and it is very dry in my area- may want to refer to the instructions there may be more info on multiple coats... . Link to HercuLiner



-frank.