Best DIY spray liner for a long bed

[caito51]

I have an 83 Chevy K20 long bed, it currently has a pre fab pop in plastic bed liner that is warping and I have no clue what condition the bed is under it yet. I plan to pull it out with the next load of stuff I take to the dump. I was thinking I should replace it with a DIY spray in liner. Looking for thoughts on doing that to this year of truck, best spray liners to buy, alternative suggestions and what to use if it’s rusty (rest of body and interior has no rust but who knows‍)? Please let me know your thoughts!

 

[caito51]

Here’s a pic of the bed right now

 

[Snoots]

Prep, prep, prep. Your results will be better the more you prep. Even bedliner needs to be able to 'grab' everywhere.

 

[Juggernaut]

I have used Rust-oleum bed liner, Herculiner, and Raptor Liner. Of the three, the only one I would say don't use is the Rust-oleum. It didn't adhere very well and was just as easy to scrape as paint. I used the tintable Raptor liner on the body of my truck. It looked really good with 3 coats and was very easy to apply, if you have an air compressor. But I was a little disappointed with the Raptor liner when I knocked over a 2 x 4 and put a big gouge in the liner. It didn't get through to the primer though, so I will see how it does with branches and rocks the next time I go fishing. I have used Herculiner in 2 of my truck beds and it has held up very well. It does get damaged but can be easily repaired with a little sanding and a quart can of liner. As Snoots says PREP is the key. If you have chipping, peeling paint, it ALL needs to be removed. I pressure washed the peeling paint and sanded the remaining paint in my 94 thinking the bed liner would seal it up, only to have the liner come off a year later with the paint attached. All that being said NOTHING beats Linex! I have Linex in my work truck, and I abuse the heck out of it. It's 1/4" thick and has yet to be really damaged

 

[Grit dog]

If it’s not just for show, do yourself a favor and spend the money to have it done right.
The common theme with all diy bed liners is even the good ones aren’t nearly as durable as the big 2 brands.
You’ll just have a **** ugly bed after a while if you use it like a truck, or many “repairs.”
JMO

 

[caito51]

This is helpful! It will be used as a hauling and off road vehicle so I need something that will stand up to wear and tear. I’m also planning to mount my off road jack and tools in the side of the bed.

 

[RecklessWOT]

I have used Rust-oleum bed liner, Herculiner, and Raptor Liner. Of the three, the only one I would say don't use is the Rust-oleum. It didn't adhere very well and was just as easy to scrape as paint. I used the tintable Raptor liner on the body of my truck. It looked really good with 3 coats and was very easy to apply, if you have an air compressor. But I was a little disappointed with the Raptor liner when I knocked over a 2 x 4 and put a big gouge in the liner. It didn't get through to the primer though, so I will see how it does with branches and rocks the next time I go fishing. I have used Herculiner in 2 of my truck beds and it has held up very well. It does get damaged but can be easily repaired with a little sanding and a quart can of liner. As Snoots says PREP is the key. If you have chipping, peeling paint, it ALL needs to be removed. I pressure washed the peeling paint and sanded the remaining paint in my 94 thinking the bed liner would seal it up, only to have the liner come off a year later with the paint attached. All that being said NOTHING beats Linex! I have Linex in my work truck, and I abuse the heck out of it. It's 1/4" thick and has yet to be really damaged

x2 on not using the Rustoleum. It does just scratch right off like any other paint.

I have used Herculiner before and it was decent for what it is, but IME any of the DIY stuff comes out a lot thinner and less durable than expected, especially compared to the professionally sprayed in ones. Also I've had better luck rolling it on than spraying it on, seems to go on thicker and ends up being more durable. I might consider spraying some into the corners and hard to reach spots then rolling everything else while it's still wet.

 

[Snoots]

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[rick1956]

I agree with having it done right. The pros that sell the spray-on liners know their product and know their processes. To me, it boiled down to two things I learned from first hand experiences from friends: The Line-X version is hard enough to have your cargo sliding around on you, but the Rhino Liner las a little bit of 'grip' to it. Both of them are excellent, competing products though.

 

[bthomas]

Raptor is the only diy I’d consider.

 

[wlwarnke]

I used Monstaliner on the Topper of my K5 Blazer. I can’t speak for durability, but it looked like new the day I sold it after sitting in the sun for a few years.

 

[Frankenchevy]

The reason the professionally installed bed liners are so much tougher is that they aren’t liquid at room temperature. It comes out of the gun at 170 degrees or so, then gets hard as it cools. For the price of the pro job, I would go that route. It’a not terribly more expensive than a kit.

 

[Randy and Easton]

we agree with Thomas… Raptor 100%. Great DIY. My son (15 years old) did his bed and then toolbox.

 

[Randy and Easton]

I think his smile says it all!