DIY Bed Liner? Quality question.

So I am getting ready to install a bumper and cat plates on my truck and skid plates on the wife's 4Runner. It is all raw metal. I had a shop paint my front skid plate on the truck but he gives me the willies. I don't like dealing with him. There aren't many shops around here that want to do anything but bed liners and I have painting experience form when I used to do composite repairs. I was thinking about using a poly urethane bed liner kit from Raptor to cover it with. I want something that will last. Does anyone have any experience with this stuff?

$230 U-POL Raptor Black Urethane Spray-On Truck Bed Liner Kit W/Free Spray Gun, 6 Liters

https://www.amazon.com/U-POL-Raptor...2962&sprefix=raptor+bed+liner,aps,143&sr=8-13

 

A friend of mine did his whole truck with raptor liner. I cant comment on durability because its a pavement princess but I can say that application was stupid easy.

 

Did he mention how bad the fumes were while he was spraying it? I don't know anyone that has used this stuff.

 

We used something like this (only cheaper) and felt like we needed something better.

$18 Active Carbon Gases Chemicals Respirator - for Vapors, Paint, Dust,Formaldehyde, Sanding, Polishing, Spraying,Machine Polishing and other Work

https://www.amazon.com/Active-Carbo...=&hvlocphy=1013462&hvtargid=pla-1253442803504

 

I used monstaliner before and I really liked it. Actually have a project in the near future I'm using it again on. Really comes down to prep.

 

I've gotta say... As far as stuff like this goes, I suggest the buy once cry once approach and just get it LineX'd if you want the entire bed covered... Most places are still doing $500-$525 price points for the service. If you just need the 'flat bed' part of the bed protected, go to a feed store and buy a 3/4" 4'x6' stall mat and cut 6" off length. Drop that thing in, and you won't be able to damage the floor of the bed if you wanted to... all for under $60!

 

He's wanting to do bumpers and skid plates, which is going to need to be touched up eventually. I'd say diy is best in this application.

 

It can be done.

Prep is key and where you want to put most time/effort.

 

I used Herculiner in the bed of my 1st gen, sanded the paint and washed with alcohol… whatever the instructions called for, as prep… did the work under a canopy because it was hot, and wanted overnight before adding the second coat. The first coat looked horrible, but I followed instructions to apply the second coat crossways to the first, and it looked good when finished. That was in April, 2019.

BUT. In October, 2021, I did some off-road shenanigans after forgetting I had an unsecured box of various lubricants in the bed… engine oil, probably trans, and I diff juice (yuck!). I got the bed bouncing, broke the containers, and the resulting mess turned the bedliner into goo. I know you’re not planning to use this in the bed— but I’m offering the info to let you know, having a “professional” do the initial coating may be a good plan— the prep or material may be better quality (?).

I have Line-X in my 2.5 gen and, while I haven’t poured diff oil on it, I think it’s a waaay better job than what I could do with retail materials. Either way, you can touch up with spray can bedliner any time you get a ding, the parts you’re wanting to cover, and it will work great.

 

I've used herculiner and it sucks compared to monstaliner or raptor. Those two are Def superior diy products

 

This is a cool YouTube channel that does some real world testing. Here are a couple of links to check out:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWFIwJUSo6c

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8RY-Z0ObgY

 

Crap!!!! So, upon re-reading (or apparently reading the full post for the first time, as I'm sure originally saw 'bedliner and DIY' and just started typing), my response was of no help ... I've really got to stop jumping on the forum after popping a couple of benedryl and trying to be helpful to someone. My Bad!!!

 

Not a problem. It happens.

 

I used hurculiner in the bed and I thought it turned out nice. I also have a rubber bed matt. So, that helps protect it a little more too. Preparing is the most important part of the job. And it does stink.