PWNY TRK

[Jeff]

I am actually going to talk about something in this thread people in MM might actually care about! Roll in truck bedliner. It obviously has applications all over the automotive world so maybe someone will learn something useful from this. After much looking and soul searching I decided to "roll my own" rather than have a spray liner done to the old truck. I looked at Herculiner, RustOleum, and both of Dupli-Color's liner options. My decision was mostly made on economy as I was able to get online coupons to Advance for Dupli-Color's "Bed Armor" line. The kit and a spare can of the aerosol version was $54 with tax included, normally $115 value.



It was hard to find reviews on the Bed Armor because it hasn't been out as long as their lower market "truck bed coating" has been (normally $49.99 per kit). Most reviewers hated truck bed coating but the new Bed Armor has Dupont's Kevlar name on it so I am hoping it will perform better. It is water based and I was able to do it in a closed heated shop with no mask....try that with Herculiner.

So anyway, PICS!

You saw the bed in previous pics. It had some rough spots. The worst was around the B&W convertible gooseneck ball.






Prep is key for this project. You want the finish of whatever you are coating to be well roughed up and all the loose debris gone. I chose to discard the scouring pad that came with the kit in favor of 180 grit sand paper. First you should tape off the areas you don't want sanded just to make sure you don't bone anything up.



I took an air powered grinder and knocked down all the rust to bare metal.



Then sanded the whole bed with 180 sand paper. Also fixed two of the large dents. Obviously washed the bed out after I did all this.



Primed all the bare metal with a high quality etch primer. Later that night I cut in all the corners and tight areas with the spray can. Waited til the next morning to start the rollin. Did I mention I removed the cargo tie down hooks and put tape in the holes to protect those small threads?





Lets Roll. Stir that shit up for like 5 mins. Metal paint stirrer > wooden stick that comes in kit. I made a poor spout from 2in masking tape. This really helped cut waste and limit the mess. The stuff cleans up with just water while it is wet and all the tools are re-useable.



First clean the surface with an acetone or paint prep wash. Make sure there is no dust. Apply one thin even coat starting with the front of the bed, then each side, then the bottom. Don't wear clothes you like. I did the rolling in my sock feet to cut down the dust I was dragging into the bed.





First coat, at least one hour then the second heavier coat. I used all the stuff and it worked out 100%. I let my first coat dry over night then came back and hit the second. I gave it 48 hours of dry time before I so much as touched it. Leaving it inside with the heat on 80 for most of that time. Obviously in summer just outside in sunlight would be best after the first hour.

So all done!




Initial impressions - Stuff is pretty rugged. I like the line-X look better then the Rhino but this will have to do. Its that rubbery Rhino looking type stuff. I think it will last pretty well. Its clear it bonds really well to itself and staying rubbery will fight peeling and cracking. I will update in 6 months and we will see.