Bed liners

LILKEN · 02-08-2001, 04:36 PM

You probably thought I was in the wrong forum. No I don't want the truck forum, I need the advise of the true experts, WOODWORKERS!. I resently purchased a new truck and the wife wants a bed liner put in. My question is Spray on or slide in?
I have heard that the spray on tends to be abrasive, thus a potential of scratching that multi hour fine finish. Before I spend $500 on the so called best (I can get the slide in for $150) I need some feedback. Has anyone had problems like this, or recomendations? Thanks.
Ken

**MadMark** · 02-08-2001, 04:40 PM

It really doesn't matter. The reason that it doesn't matter is that you are going to put down a piece of ½" plywood as a flat mat on top of either...

M

**Lou_williams** · 02-09-2001, 03:05 AM

The problem as I understand the slide in's allow rust to develop under them and cause big issue later. if you want to take it out and check it on a reqular basis it should be ok.

John · 02-09-2001, 03:08 PM

Ironically, I'm going to pick up my new truck tonight. It's an F150 4x4 Supercab, and I've been planning the bed-liner this week. For what it's worth, here's my plan.

It has protective plastic around the top edge of the bed, so all I really have to worry about is the bottom. I'm going to take a piece of plywood, cut it to fit around the wheel wells and attach to it some beveled cleats that fit the corrugated bottom. Then I will cover the cleats with carpet remnents and I'm all set.

J

**rrich** · 02-11-2001, 01:00 AM

Lilken,
I've had both types, drop in and spray in bed liners. The spray in (Line-X) looks great for about 3 months and then turns charcoal in color. The cause is the car wash soap. The drop in liner also turned grey-ish too, in time.

The spray in is not as slippery as the drop in liner. However the new drop in liners are supposed to have increased friction and are not as slippery. My preference is for the more slippery style of bed liner. The Line-X will scratch lumber if you slide it across the liner. My older drop in liner did not scratch the wood as the wood would slide much easier across the liner.

If I had to do it over again my choice would be the drop in liner over the spray in liner.

BTW - The rust myth under the bed liner is just that. There is enough circulation of air unde the bed liner that rust isn't a problem. The bed has places for water to drain out between the head board and the bed. The bed liner makes it almost impossible for water to get under the bed liner. If it does, the water drains out rather quickly.

Rich