I have a decent truck bed on my '74 F-100 that has a bit of surface rust on it. I intend on applying some DIY bedliner soon.

But first, should I strip the surface rust and paint the bed PRIOR to the application of the bedliner, or can I just strip & slap (bedliner on bed)??

 

I have a Rhino Liner in my truck. There were some minor scratches that I asked them about before they sprayed the liner in. They said that they had to scuff the surface anyway, and that it wouldn't matter. So, I think you would be ok, just to sand the surface.

Bluehawk

https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/displaythumbnail.php?&photoid=4318&.jpg
F-250 SD XLT CC 4x4 Shortbed; MAAP nerf bars, Rally/Lightbar combo, PIAA 1300 driving lights, Lund bugshield, Lund SunVisor, tinted windows, K&N airfilter, Access tonneau cover, Rhino Liner, remote starter/security system, custom built console, Cobra 29 ST/WX CB with a Wilson 1000 magnet mount antenna, Realistic 500 channel police scanner, Kenwood 10 disk CD changer, Compaq laptop, SVP 100 Watt siren, and 24 Strobe lights.

Upgrades for the near future include: Warn Rio Grande pushbar with a 12,000# winch, 4" lift kit, fender flares, and 35" BF Goodrich T/A KO tires.

 

[link:www.ford-trucks.com/articles/august2001/bedliner.php|Check here] for an article on installing a DIY bedliner.