So, I made the appointment for Monday the 14th to get my truck bed Line-X'd. I've got the cash and if I don't do this quick, I'll only find something else that is "more important" to use the money for.
The bed is in very good shape for 10 years old. The PO kept a cap on it, used a bed mat, and apparently didn't haul much. A few minor dents and dings but no big deal. No bed rails.
But the tailgate is a little bit different story. It is somewhat collapsed (just slightly, but I can see it). More troublesome yet is the dent in the outside of the tailgate, which is from the PO. Looks like a trailer hitch incident. A local body shop that repaired damage elsewhere on the truck from the time a kid ran into me wants $300 to fix that dent. I know aftermarket tailgates are very inexpensive, but my understanding is that they are not as heavily constructed and it is not uncommon for them to have a poor fit.
The main part of the bed is being Line-X'd regardless.
But the tailgate...........
Do I Line-X the inside of it now, and pay $300 for the exterior dent repair?
Do I not Line-X the inside of the tailgate and simply reinstall the attached rubber mat? (presumably lowering my cost to have the job done).
Do I not Line-X the inside of the tailgate until I replace it with a factory (new or used) gate?
Other options or ideas?

Oh, the agony of decision making!!!!
Please give me your thoughts on the matter!

 

I would give the money to either your wife/girlfriend, or family member to hold on to it until the tailgate gets fixed. You want to make sure everything is just right before putting on the Line-X.

 

I would get just the bed done, and not the tailgate. In the mean time get the main truck bed done, and when you fix the gate, go back to get the rest of it treated. Plain and simple, you never know when you will get the tailgate done, so in the mean time, protect your investment and get the truck done....Do you use the truck for work often?

 

I use it often for my side business of fixing lawnmowers.
The bed mat has done a nice job of protecting the bed, but grass clippings and other debris require that I remove the mat to properly clean the bed.
This is the option I am leaning towards. The gate will always be taking abuse, so if I were to put a diamond plate protector on it to help slow down the caving in I wouldn't see the Line-X any way.
I am considering just having them put a 2 in border around the perimeter of the gate, then covering the rest with the original mat material or a tailgate protector sheet of metal.

 

Sounds like a plan

 

Getting psyched to have this done on Monday. I welded up the cracked front bed corners yesterday and welded in a little additional reinforcement. Didn't even have to grind the welds they came out great. I'll be able to have the liner sprayed right over top of them.
Pulled the bed mat out. it is pretty amazing seeing the condition of the bed in a 10 year old truck. It looks brand new under that mat. This new liner is going to look awesome. I'll have to get some pics and put something together in my gallery.

 

Add me to the list of wholly satisfied Line-X customers!
That stuff is awesome. It looks like a brand new truck bed. There were a couple of dings that are still present, but there was nothing to be done about that.
I had welded up the front box corners and then smoothed things out with a grinder and you cant even tell it was welded there.
I went ahead and had the gate done. If I ever replace the tailgate, it is $80 to spray one so that's not bad.

 

Update:
I am about to check out the lifetime guarantee on my Line-x liner.
I took a barrel of scrap steel to the local salvage yard. The youthful operator approached my truck with the tow motor while the boss of the place rocked the barrel back enough for the forks to go under the barrel. The forks were just a shade too low and caught the very rear edge of the bed. I saw the liner stretch an incredible amount before it tore, but tear it did!
Pulled a chunk about the size of my hand loose. I called the installer the same day it happened last week and he said to tell him when it suited me to come in for a repair. I have of tomorrow so I set the appointment for then. I inquired about interfering with regular installation appointments for that day and he said repairs come first, and this would be the first one he had in a very long time. I am expecting a seamless repair and will let you know tomorrow afternoon how it went.

 

It really does take a lot to rip a chunk off. I've had sidewalk slabs, lumber with nails sticking out, lawn mowers rolling around in the back, and slid industrial compressors along the bed and no damage what so ever.

 

All fixed up!
I was a little surprised as I thought they'd cut the bad section out and respray, but what they did was glue it down and touch-up spray over the seams to make the repair invisible.
It does look good, though, and I believe it will be fine as long as I don't hit it with a forklift again!
First-State Line-X of Newark, DE should be renamed "First-Rate" Line-X.
The fella told me this was his first repair since November and he couldn't really count that one as the owner had been using his tailgate as a sawhorse and ran a circular saw through the tailgate.
But he did say that the location of my tear was common. When things slide across the bed liner, little damage can be done, but when you hit a corner like in my case that is when the liner can be caught and torn.
Anyway-thoroughly pleased with the job and I highly recommend First State Line=X of Newark Delaware to anyone in this area! (No sales tax in DE, either!)

 

Thanks for the info. Im still using the drop in bedliners. I guess one day I'll wise up and get a spray on. I'm like you though; when I save up enough for it I end up spending it on something else.

 

If you have a drop in liner ,and you wait too long the liner will rub the paint off and it will ( hard to describe) but the paint is powdery in a way, Friends truck did this , they wouldn't line-x it til he got it sand blasted it to remove the powdery paint. The line -x people then primer it, then line it.If you don't do the blasting they won't warranty the liner at all, which is what you are paying for. Sorry for the long post.
Mike