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new owner again - spray in bed liner?

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new owner again

Hello, It's Dan again and I wanted to thank everyone for the advice on my first posting. The cleaning of the TPS seemed to have solved my TC locking and unlocking problem. the Next thing I would like to ask is... . Has anyone ever used a spray in truck bed liner. If so I would like some feed back on the good ones and the bad ones. My bed in my new toy has seen some heavy use and there is some surface rust and missing paint. There is no holes but several warps between the underailings of the bed floor. I thought this would be a good way to go since it would take a lot to straighten this bed floor. The truck is not going for show but I want it to last as long as it can. Thanks in advance, Dan. :D
 
Spray in liner

I've had both Line-x and Permatech. The Line-x is more durable and scratch resistant while the Permatech is softer on the knees and resists fading better. I usually just haul dirt bikes and for me I like the Permatech liner. If I was going to give the bed a real workout I would go with line-x. I have no experience with the Rhino lining so I can't compare it. Just my opinion.
 
I have the line-x. It is pretty hard stuff. I have seen some rhino's and they seem to be a bit softer (read as not as slick). I have also seen those rhinos with gouges in it. Though if they are like line-x they will repair for free so no real matter. My line-x has hauled many a ton of rock and still looks great but is a little slick and has faded some or maybe it just needs a good scrubbing.
 
I am running the Line-X liner and consider it second to none. However, depending on what you are doing with it, other liners may be a better choice. There are three main types of liners available. First, Rhino-like, these are soft rubbery liners that work great for making loads stick and impact resistance. They have been around a long time and are well liked. They are a little soft if you might use something that could gouge it like a shovel. Second, Line-X-like, harder than Rhino more abrasive resistant, still soft enough to be pliable. In MHO the best choice for a hard working bed. The third, I don't recommend at all, are so hard they shatter upon impact. They are normally the cheapest option and look good but don't hold loads well and with the slightest work look terrible.



I think the most important decision with a spray in bedliner is not necessarily what brand but rather who is the installer. Check around locally at your local hardware stores and ask people in the area who they recommend.



Also look inside of the installers own personal work trucks and see how hard they have been used. That is what I did. I went to the Line-X installer and asked to see the inside of the company's work truck. They were a spring shop and were embarrased to show it to me. The inside wheel wells were beat up something fierce and the bed between the supports was swayed. They used it to throw used truck springs in... However, with all the dings and stretching going on that liner still covered everthing except two short gouges that they put in with a fork-lift trying to unload a pallet. Besides, the other installer in town did the hard type and he didn't even recommend himself... He actually stated he prefered the Line-X and if it was him he would spend the extra $25 and get the Line-X. Needless to say I went with the Line-X.
 
From my understanding after getting my ARMA bedlliner put in there are 3 types of bedliners. One is sprayed in and is a hot spray. This one is fairly thick. There are several different brands that hot spray and is the one that I prefer. Another one is sprayed on and is cold sprayed. This one is real, real thick and IMOH doesn't look good as it is to thick and has perosity type holes in it where the dirt and water can collect. And the last one is in a can and you put it on with a paint brush or roller.

WD
 
The do- it- yourself HercuLiner is a great product for the cost (about $125 for 8' bed) and it is holding up great for me. The professional spray in liners have a more finer compund in it and does appear more even. Still, the self installed looks good works well. Especially for a work truck! -frank
 
I have done some checking around as well, for the lower mid Michigan area Line X was the cheapest and the bed could be used sooner. Also talking with customers from 2 rhino liner and 4 from Line X, line X did a much better job preping and spraying of the liner.



KC
 
For what it's worth

I've had the LineX in my truck for almost 5 years and it looks like it was just done. I don't haul dirt or gravel, just tools and misc construction materials. It appears to me to be a lot thicker than other linings I've seen. I like the finish enough that I'm going to have my bumpers and nerf bars done.



TC
 
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I had a Rhino liner in my last truck and it held up to abuse great, the only problem was that it faded pretty bad. I had a permatech liner put in this truck (and later had them spray my rockers as well) and have been extremely pleased with it. It's held up a bit better than the Rhino and it hasn't faded. The permatech is a softer liner like the rhino, I personally prefer it over the line-x because stuff doesn't slide around on it as easily. All that said like said above the installer makes all the difference in the world. You can get a horrible spray in liner from any of the manufacturers if the installer is bad. Definately check out some of their work before buying - and on trucks that were done a while ago. JMHO
 
spray in liner

I have a Rhino Liner in a Ford F-150 and I can honestly say that I will never have another one. The level of support from the installer and Rhino is non-existant. For something that is supposed to be indestrucible, it destructs very easily! It cuts, tears, and separates and the dealer doesn't want to repair it, saying that I am abusing it! If their idea of abuse is hauling some firewood and mulch, then I don't need it.



Yeah, I guess I'm kinda bitter but those liners are expensive for such low performance. I am in the Memphis, TN area so maybe it's just around here.
 
The worksmanship of the dealer / installer is as important as the product itself. I am very pleased with both the Line-X product and the dealer who installed it in two trucks that I have had. I have had no damage to the liner at all, and I have dragged heavy steel objects (like my 5er hitch) on it.
 
I have been extremely happy with my Rhino Liner. The installer that installed it told me that if I did ever happen to damage the liner to bring it back and he would repair it. He actually encouraged me to abuse it. The only slight downside of the liner is that it does turn chalky over time. I have found that Simple Green removes the chalkyness and cleans the liner pretty good. I have heard that Rhino has a coating that eliminates the discoloring
 
Rhino

I have had my Rhino over the rail for about 2 years. I am in Florida and unfortunatly have had to park outside until now.



I have had no fading so far. My installer did tell me he used a UV additive or top coat (not sure which) and can reapply UV protection (must be top coat) when needed.



I like the liner. It is a "soft" liner and not too slick when wet and has held up well, although I have not abused it like some.



Big thing is to check the installer. The prep work can make a big difference and the thickness of apply is up to the installer. I am very happy with the one in Pensacola.





Tom



EDIT: forgot the spell check
 
Dan, I got a ARMA Coating on my 02. It is applied hot. IMO, I like the looks of the hot applications (includes Linex) better. Whichever one you get, look at a few dealers and see how well they prepare the bed before application (it needs to well sanded for the material to adhere properly). Good luck. KL



P. S. I also had ARMA Coatings on my 96. It held up very well.
 
Line-X and for about 45$ extra I had them coat over the rails .



I use flat black to cover any paint spills or other blemish the 97cent spray from Wally - world Three years no complaints . Ron in Louisville KY















:confused: :confused: :confused: :D
 
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