Spray On Bedliner FAQ: Everything You Need to Know

Do you have a truck which you depend on every day? No matter how tough your truck is, you’ll still need to take a few steps to keep it free from damage.

Your truck’s bed likely experiences pretty rough conditions. A spray on bedliner is a popular, affordable and effective way to protect the truck bed liner from accidental damage. Not exactly sure what a spray on bedliner is, what it does and how to find the right one for your truck? Our complete FAQ has everything you need to know:

What is a Spray On Bedliner?

A spray on bedliner is a chemical formula which is applied to the truck bed. Once fully dried and applied, the bedliner protects the truck bed from scratches, abrasions and other damage. Additionally, the bedliner creates a waterproof seal on top of the truck bed, which prevents corrosion and rust from forming.

Bedliners also increase overall safety, especially if you frequently have to stand or move about the truck bed. Bedliners typically provide significantly improved traction, even in wet and snowy conditions.

Plus, bedliners also help keep cargo secure. They’re useful if you frequently have to haul cargo such as boxes or other materials. While the liner improves grip, it’s also not abrasive enough to cause damage except in rare cases.

What is Spray On Bedliner Made From?

Each manufacturer will use a slightly different formula, but generally bedliners are made from a hybrid of polyurea and polyurethane. You can find bedliners made from either just polyurethane or just polyurea, but most people prefer the blend, which offers basically the best features of both materials.

Basically, the bed will feel like tough, but pliable, plastic. Because it reflects heat better than metal, your bedliner will actually be cooler to the touch than the truck itself.

How is the Bedliner Applied?

Bedliners are sprayed onto the truck. Initially, the bedliner material is a thick liquid. But it turns into a solid as it dries.

The application process typically takes about four hours to complete. However, an additional hour may be required if the bedliner color is matched to the color of the car.

The bedliner dries quickly. It’ll be dry to the touch within literally seconds of spraying. However, it’ll typically take about 24 hours to dry completely.

Roughly three to five gallons of material will be applied. In most cases, the material will be environmentally-friendly with no solvents, VOCs or CFCs.

How Do I Prepare My Truck for Bedliner Application?

There’s not much you actually need to do as the truck owner. Simply make sure the truck bed is clean and free from debris.

Can I Apply the Bedliner Myself?

You can. Great spray on bedliners are available which you can apply yourself. They work similar to a can of spray paint.

You can also buy a tougher type of bedliner which you mix yourself. To apply this, you’ll need to use a paint sprayer. This process is a bit more complicated than using the type of liner found in a spray can.

While these D.I.Y. bedliners are generally effective, they are different than the bedliners available from an automotive professional. In most cases, professionally-applied bedliners will be tougher and longer lasting. Plus, application will typically be much more thorough.

Do Truck Accessories Still Work with a Bedliner?

Generally, yes. Bedliners typically won’t interfere with accessories such as camper shells, fifth wheel hitches, utility boxes, tie-downs and more. Because the bedliner molds so precisely to the truck bed, it typically won’t cause any problems when you want to add accessories.

Can My Bedliner Become Damaged? Can it be Repaired?

Bedliners are pretty tough. Generally, anything which damages a bedliner will be serious enough to also damage your truck. But in the event bedliner damage occurs, repairs usually just require a respray. Minor damage can also often be easily repaired with a Raptor liner spray.

How is Spray On Bedliner Applied?

1. The bed is thoroughly cleaned. All bolts, tiedowns and other hardware will be removed. Special products are used to remove wax, grease and other substances.
2. Tape is applied to the edges of the truck bed. This is a special wire-cutting tape which is used to create a very fine edge for the liner.
3. Paper and plastic are applied to the truck as needed to prevent overspray.
4. The main area of liner is power sanded while the edges are hand-sanded. This helps the liner permanently bond. Once sanding is complete, all the dust will be blown away from the liner. Additionally, the liner will be given a final cleaning.
5. Now the liner will be sprayed. While specifics vary, typically the car will be left to dry anywhere from four to 12 hours. Generally, two coats are applied, with about a minute between each application. The recommend coverage rate is 180 to 200 square foot per gallon.
6. Paper and plastic masking are removed. The wire cutting tape is also removed, which results in clean edges.

What Colors are Available?

Standard bedliners are classic black, which usually looks great on just about any truck including commercial vehicles. However, bedliners are available in accent colors, too.

Many professional installers also offer exact color matching. The paint code from your vehicle is used to create a custom topcoat which can be sprayed onto the liner. This is usually the most expensive option, although an exact color match is often a great look.

How Do I Maintain My Bedliner?

Bedliners are designed to be extremely maintenance-free. Usually nothing is required beyond routine washing. The bedliner will be highly resistant to cuts, scratches, abrasions and other damage.

Should I Get a Bedliner for My Vehicle?

No matter how tough your truck is, a bedliner provides protection you can count on. They’re easy to apply, simple to maintain and designed to last a lifetime. Plus, custom colors can be created to match your vehicle exactly.