My dad bought a 2011 F250 a couple weeks ago, and i bought a 2011 F150 last week. We're both looking for some sort of bed protection, but don't have experience with spray in bedliners. My dads experienced with painting, so doing a spray in shouldnt be an issue. Is it significantly cheaper than having it done professionally? Has anyone done this before? What other options are there?

 

Think about this: You both paid a lot of money for a new truck. You or your Dad have no experience with either prepping a truck or spraying bedliners. Quit trying to do it yourself, and go to a professional. Makes no sense to go cheap after paying all that money for a great truck!

 

See if your local LineX (my preference for spray ins) or Rhino dealer will give you guys a discount for spraying both trucks. My dealer gave me 50 off just because I'm a repeat customer.

Like Buck 1 says, you've spent tons of good money on your new trucks. Get a good spray in down and be happy.

 

You'd have to mask the truck, i'd do the whole thing even if you're going to use a roll on instead of spray. It will be cheaper in that you won't pay labor or hazardous disposal fees, but you'll be doing all the work to mask and prep the bed. You'd have the sand the entire surface lightly to scuff it and then blow it all out, then do your liner.

As stated above talk with a local rep about doing both trucks together, and if there's a car or truck show going on soon then they may also be doing a special then too. I know one here used to do $100 off if you made the appointment during the car show weekend. On my '10 screw 5.5 i think it was basically $500 for the liner which to me was fine to have a professional do it and save my time and knees from the prep and liner application. I've had a few put on trucks for work too and im usually out of the shop in under 2 hours so you could drop them in the morning and have it by lunch time.

But if you got the space, tools and time it's certainly something you and your father could do and save some money on the labor.

 

Another benefit of having a pro shop do the spray-in liner with a notable brand (Like Line-X or Rhino Liner) is that they'll usually offer to "Touch-Up" any parts that you may wear through. In the Tacoma I had before my F-150, I took advantage of this and had a few touch ups here and there. They also apply differing thicknesses depending on where on the bed they are spraying. As many are saying on here, go with a pro, and take them up on their guarantees.

 

Go with LineX

 

Have it done, you'll thank yourselves later.

 

The prep work, like others have stated, is the key. Doesn't matter what you spray, roll, paint, etc over the bed if your prep work is less than stellar.

The way I see it is...you just spent $30-40k on a new truck, why not spend the additional $300-400 to have a professional prep and spray the liner. Plus, their work should come with some sort of warranty, etc.

 

I would also vote for a professional job. I'm a Line-X fan like others above.

 

I'm sure you're capable of properly prepping the bed, however I'd say this is a rare case where the materials used matter as much or more than the talent of the installer. Most of the DIY products will crack and chip eventually. Even if they provide replacement materials under warranty, it's up to you to scrape out the damage and apply the repair. One more vote to have it done by Linex (or Rhino).

 

I haven't gotten a spray-in bedliner in my '10 XLT Screw yet but the Line-X I had put into the bed of my '04 was as good as it gets for $400. I know nothing about other brands but you can't go wrong with the Line-X service.


I spent 6 hours preparing and applying the Gator Guard bedliner in my '65 F100 and it still came off in places every once in a while.

 

Definitly have it done. The professional products are way better than the do it yourself imho. I had Rhino in my last truck as did my father in law. I have no complaints. I am having my new truck done friday. Linex is 30 miles from my house and Rhino is 25. This time I am going to try Ameraguard. They are 5 miles, have the best price and is pretty much the same product as Linex. I will post pictures when it is done.

 

Line-X is the way to go.

 

How do you use your truck? I have had many liners, spray, plastic but the one I like the most and will be going in my 2011 is the Bedrug! These things are practically indestructible, wont stain and comfortable enough to crawl around on your knees or lay on your back and look at the stars! Approx cost $400, best liner I ever bought.

 

Thanks for the input everyone. It sounds like you've all had less than stellar experiences with DIY bedliner kits. Nice truck, shortride!

Jimmy, my only concern with a bed mat is that the sides of the bed are still unprotected.