I'm considering a paint-on bedliner, and I was wondering about the durability. The brands I've heard of are Herculiner and Durabak, but I know little about them. I could have this done professionally, but if it's worth it to save some bucks I'd prefer to do it myself.

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

>I'm considering a paint-on bedliner, and
>I was wondering about the
>durability. The brands I've heard
>of are Herculiner and Durabak,
>but I know little about
>them. I could have this
>done professionally, but if it's
>worth it to save some
>bucks I'd prefer to do
>it myself.
>
>Any advice would be appreciated.

My opinion paint on bed liners are better. They cost more though! Spary on bedlines really help to keep dirt, water and rust from forming on the inside of the bed. Insert bed liners do perform their job but not as good as a good spray-in bed liner. Besides the two you listed above, there are many more spray-in bedliners to choose from! Do alot of research before you choose though! Your best bet would be to have it done professionally. Get it done right the first time and you usually get a warranty along with the installation.

1994 Ford F150
300-6
Highly Modified and more to come!

 

I pondered that same question when I bought my first truck a long time ago. I settled on spending the extra bucks and getting the lifetime warranty etc., and professional job. My last three trucks have RhinoLinings in them. I can't speak enough about how satified I am with them. Excellent durability, non-skid surface, and great looks!

'90 F250HD 4x
460 'n lots more

 

On my last truck, I had the plastic liner, and the water trapped between it and the bed, plus the friction, caused my bed to eventually rust out. Living in Anchorage Alaska, I had two other choices, Auto Armor of Alaska and Rhino Lining...both used spray in techniques. I had this done in Feb 1994 on my 94 F150. I have carried my 4 wheeler and snowmachines, plus a ton of other stuff in the back and let me tell you, the spray in liner was worth twice what I paid for it. My truck today looks like new and I don't have a spot of rust on top or underneath thanks to the spray in liner. Even carbide runners on my snowmobile skis don't hurt the liner...and the one time I did tear it up some, respray was simple.

However, there are a couple of things to think about...whoever you choose, be sure they have a policy of free touch up if you scratch the lining off. Also compare spray thicknesses, they should guarentee 1/8 inch minimum and preferable more on the bottom. If they offer colors, forget it...choose black as you can easily touch it up with some black rubber silicone caulk if need be. Lastly, make sure that you leave adequate drain holes in your bed during the spray...unless you want to water seal it up to the point you can use your bed for a bath, but for the most part, northerners don't appreciate carrying all that extra water around. Lastly, though they may try and talk you into it, don't have the top bed edges done, protect them with a 3rd party metal/plastic protector...diamond plate chrome seems to be durable and popular. Anyway, that's my opinion for what it is worth.

 

Hi, if you put it on your self wear gloves!!!!! we don't want any more hercu-hootuses around!!!!! just becareful that stuff doesn't come off. it works really nice though a friend of mine painted it in the bed of his super duty and it looks great. John

 

The two that you mention Herculiner and Durabak are actually one in the same. Cote-L Industries put both kits together for the do it yourselfers. I live in So. Georgia and use Durabak in my business as a mobile spray on bedliner service. As far as guarantees go, most if not all of your franchised spray in bedliners guarantees that the liner will not flake, peel, crack, or warp. Any applied bedliner should not scratch off if the preparation is done correctly and the bed is not abused. The franchisers will tell you that Metal will chip metal. Another words, if you abuse your truck bed, all liners will chip out! If you take care of it, it will take care of you. If you go with Durabak, you have to buy 4 gallons minimum. Herculiner can be bought 1 gallon at a time from Kmart. You can apply these products by rolling or spraying. I spray using a syphon type sandblasting gun. Works great and the new truck dealers like it. Great part time $$$ email me for more info.