DIY Pickup Bedliners

[Oldgringo]

I want a bedliner in our 2007 Dodge 2500 shortbed pickup and I don't want to spend $500 for it.

Has anyone here done their own DIY bedliner and how did it work out for you? Namely:

* cost
* difficulty
* product name
* lessons learned; and,
* etc?

Thanks,

Greg

[Keith B]

Here is a good cheap one or two





More liners here http://blog.cardomain.com/2008/05/22/gallery-redneck/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Seriously, the ones that I have seen personally done were not of the quality that the professionally done spray on liners were. However, it may have had to do with the person doing the time and how much they had to drink while doing the application. Others may have personal experience and good success though.

[mrvmax]

I just did my own with Herculiner. Mine looks as god as a professional job, but when you include prep time and cost of the product I would have been better off paying to have it done. I used three coats to get good coverage but I rolled mine on. Spraying would have been easier. Prep time will take at least four hours to rough up the surface. You will spend another 1-2 hours masking and taping off - do not skip this step, mask off all surrounding areas with plastic so you do not have to worry about inadvertantly getting the liner on your paint (it will happen, trust me). Expect to use 2-3 days to get it done. After doing my own I realize the $500 to have it sprayed in would have been a better deal. If you have a lot of time and do not mind spending 4-6 hours roughing up the bed paint (this was the hardest part labor wise, I eneded up rubbing skin of my hands from sanding) then I would use Herculiner. One kit is not enough, you would at least need two gallons, nevermind what they say. You also need TSP to clean the bed (cheap, about $5) and a can of Xylene ($20 for a gallon) as well as some chemical gloves (this stuff sticks well to skin).

[USA1]

years ago i used a roll on liner that you can buy at Walmart , pepboys , ect.
all i can say is Scuff Scuff Scuff .

the areas that were scuffed well held up great and looked great.
the little corners and nooks that i missed peeled eventually .

[Rex B]

Buy a kit from a store that specializes in automotive paint.
Get a Scotchbrite pad that chucks into a drill or fits an orbital sander for the roughing up.
Buy a cheap schutz air gun to apply it.
Ditto on suggestions above re solvents and masking.

Should be able to get a pro-level job for about $150.

I've even seen a pretty good job done with the aerosol can version from Plastikote.
The advantage here is you can touch it up later with the same stuff.

I have also used the aero cans for other purposes, such as coating trailer ramps for traction, and sealing difficult roof joints.
Comes in a number of colors.
Good stuff!

[mrvmax]

One great thing about Herculiner, the bed has a good non skid coat and it holds things in place. I am happy with it, it just took a lot of work to prep.

[Bunkins]

The best thing to do is send the truck down and have the bed sand blasted, then put your bed liner on.. I've got 3 trucks that I've paid over 500 bucks to have coated, they didnt prep any of the trucks, the paint under where it's pealing is nice and shiny.. They are out of business now, wonder why It was Rhino liner, the corporate people said the only way they would warranty it is if the shop that sprayed it did the work.. Since they are out of business, there is nothing I can do to get them repaired.

My '07 F-450 has a huge service bed on it, and I figured it would cost out the butt to have coated, since the last 1 cost me a grand to do.. I took it down and had the bed sand blasted, cost me 200 bucks. Then I decided to let a new company here in town "shoot" it.. They only charged me 300 bucks to spray it because they didnt have to prep... I'll tell ya, thats the best thing I've ever done. Any truck I buy from now on, I will have the bed sand blasted.. I'm sure with the size of a long bed truck, the cost would be less than 500 do to in total.... I've had pallets of stuff skidded across the bed, tools drug in and out, and the liner looks brand new, but the best part is, you cant rip that stuff off no matter how hard to try, and thats because it was prepped good.. My other trucks, I have to be careful with them because you drag something out of them and you will either tear it, or pull it off the bed...

I've personally never seen a DIY bed liner hold up.. But the guys I know, including myself are hard on beds.. City folks, I doubt they would ever tear one up, their biggest problem will be with the bed liner pealing up.. By the time you figure in prep and the materials, myself I'd just have someone else do it.. That is unless you have a lot of time on your hands, which I dont... Talk to a few companies and see what they would charge if you brought them the truck already prepped, then talk with a few sand blasters to see what they will charge...

[jimlongley]

Just a second caution about getting the stuff on your skiin - there seem to be no solvents that will remove this stuff, you have to let it wear off.

[Liberty]

Just a second caution about getting the stuff on your skin - there seem to be no solvents that will remove this stuff, you have to let it wear off.

Hmmm.. Permanent gloves, maybe?

[mrvmax]

Just a second caution about getting the stuff on your skiin - there seem to be no solvents that will remove this stuff, you have to let it wear off.

Xylene and acetone will take it off of your skin. The xylene may cause some skinn irritation though, I have worked with chemicals for the past 15 years so it doesn't bother me. I like the idea of paying to have the bed sandblasted. That is the hardest part, the prep. If it were blasted it would be an easy DIY. With Herculiner you can use as many coats as you need to get it as thick as you want.

[Oldgringo]

Thanks for the input, everybody.

We've sold the big RV and have ordered a Leer Camper Shell to protect our stuff while we tow the smaller tagalong down life's road. When we get back in Texas, I'll look further into this DIY project.

Thanks again