Installing freshly painted bed

Matt69olds · Sep 29, 2020

I recently got the new bed for my truck back from the paint shop. My question, what’s the best method to seal the underside of the bed to prevent the dreaded tin worm from taking up residency? Secondly, what’s the best place to buy the hardware to secure the bed to the frame? 8 foot 1/2 ton truck if it matters. Thanks!

Scott91370 · Sep 29, 2020

I recently bought the bolt kit from Dorman for an F-250. Part number 924-311 --- https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FEQTTTS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Down side is that It will only use 6 of the bolts but it has retainers that clip to the frame and the bolts have star heads so you don't have to worry about stripping the bed holes of the carriage retainer. There may be a set that has 2 that are longer and will allow to run all 8 but it's never going to be used as a truck so I wasn't too worried about.

FireTruck1984 · Sep 29, 2020

Matt69olds said:
I recently got the new bed for my truck back from the paint shop. My question, what’s the best method to seal the underside of the bed to prevent the dreaded tin worm from taking up residency? Secondly, what’s the best place to buy the hardware to secure the bed to the frame? 8 foot 1/2 ton truck if it matters. Thanks!

Did the paint shop not paint the underside? Flip it over, scuff, seam seal, primer and paint. Back mask all the fresh paint of course.

FireTruck1984 · Sep 29, 2020

Totally Stainless page 53

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Matt69olds · Sep 29, 2020

No, they didn’t do anything with the bottom of the bed, I didn’t ask them to. They did seal the wheelhouse. There isn’t a spot of rust anywhere on this bed, I’d like to keep it that way.

Ricko1966 · Sep 29, 2020

Matt69olds said:
No, they didn’t do anything with the bottom of the bed, I didn’t ask them to. They did seal the wheelhouse. There isn’t a spot of rust anywhere on this bed, I’d like to keep it that way.

Wipe it down with wax and grease remover,scuff it, wash it, acid etch it, and shoot it with epoxy primer.Then coat it with whatever you want it will not rust.

Grit dog · Sep 30, 2020

That’s a bummer. Bottom of the bed should get painted first.
Bottom, then front and inside, then the bed sides.
Oh well. Just cover the top of the bed sides well, flip it over, and spray it.
I’d consider seam sealer on any seams where mud gets kicked up from the tires too.

If you want to prevent rubbing through the paint where the bed supports contact the frame, double up some small pieces of clear bra type material on those areas to insulate the 2 surfaces from each other. That **** is very useful. If you’re not doing mud flaps, clear bra the lower panels behind the wheels, lower fenders/doors and rockers. Works great behind license plates on newer cars with painted bumpers too.

Dave M · Sep 30, 2020

What about painting it with POR 15 chassis paint.

legopnuematic · Sep 30, 2020

I'd go with Tamco's Chassis black, or raptor liner underneath

Matt69olds · Oct 1, 2020

Dave M said:
What about painting it with POR 15 chassis paint.

I was leaning this way, after a through cleaning and epoxy primer.

Scott91370 · Oct 2, 2020

I did PO15 on the underside of the bed and the insides of the bed panels. If it is exposed to the sun you'll need a top coat or it will fade to flat black and get a little chalky.

I actually did the entire frame, suspension, bottom of the bed, inner parts of bed panels (that you see from under the truck), inside of the bed and core support. It hasn't been driven yet so I don't know how well it holds up but it does get pretty hard and I think it'll be good.

Grit dog · Oct 2, 2020

Depends what you’re using the truck for. Daily driver salt monster in the winter? Then bed liner or something durable.
Not a lot of winter use, I see no reason to not make it look as good as possible.
Shoot it body color.

Grit dog · Oct 2, 2020

Now let’s see some pics of the paint job!

Steve78 k10 · Oct 2, 2020

legopnuematic said:
I'd go with Tamco's Chassis black, or raptor liner underneath

That's what I was going to roll with on mine. Raptor line and bottom of cab.

hoagster · Oct 2, 2020

Brothers truck sells rubber pads to install between the frame and bed.

Installing freshly painted bed

Matt69olds

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