Bed Liner Paint Job Pros and Cons: Is It Worth?

If you’re thinking of painting your truck’s bed liner, you should pause and consider whether or not you’re making the right choice. You also need to identify bed liner paint job pros and cons. Why? Here is a concise answer:

Any truck owner knows how much of a difference a well-painted truck bed liner can make. It can also improve the vehicle’s durability, useful for folks who frequently travel off-road.

However, some truck owners have had varied results when it comes to bed liner paint jobs. Some would tell you to avoid it, and some would encourage you to do so.

Some well-known organisations employ thick rubber material to protect the surface from damage, while others provide a drop-in or spray-in bed liner.

To understand more about bed liner paint job’s benefits & downsides, continue reading!

What Is Bed Liner Paint Job?

Isn’t it only logical that the bed of a heavy-duty vehicle built to resist the weather would be the same? 

How come so many individuals are coating the beds of their trucks with various forms of bed liner?

Basically, it protects your vehicle and the stuff you’re hauling from the elements. You and I both benefit from this!

Some truckers even go the whole hog and drape their entire vehicle in practice! We’re going to talk about bed liner paint jobs today because there are many different bed liners.

Bed liner truck paint job shields your truck’s interior from damage and keeps your cargo safe. 

In addition to scratch resistance, it also guards against various elements, moisture, rust, corrosion, and ultraviolet radiation. It makes your truck seem better.

Spray-on bed liners completely cover the surface of your truck bed and provide an airtight seal that is impervious to both air and water. 

If you’re worried about damaging your mattress, this will keep it free of dust and other contaminants that might harm its surface. Despite the waterproof bed liner, the bed is not “watertight”.

However, a spray-on bed liner is a long-lasting alternative. It may also reduce gas mileage by increasing vehicle weight. Do you know the bed liner paint job cost? Then stay with us till the end.

Bed Liner Paint Job’s Pros & Cons: Everything You Need to Know

Bed liner paint treatments have received a lot of conflicting reviews. Experiencing something new may be a very personal thing. As a result, where and how you paint significantly affects the finished product.

Moreover, it’s possible that you’ll be delighted to receive the precise touch you desired, while another person may be enraged by the results. 

Furthermore, you should be aware that the task has advantages and disadvantages. And it is up to the car owner to determine which they prefer.

A Bed Liner Paint Job’s Pros

Cost-Effective:

There are various ways to safeguard the bed of your vehicle in today’s market. 

Most certified and popular firms now employ thick rubber material to prevent damage, while others provide spray-in or drop-in bed liners.

All of them are effective strategies for preserving and extending the life of a bed. There is, however, a more cost-effective and long-lasting method for safeguarding the bed liner—painting.

Compared to other possibilities, the paint is a good value for the money. Since almost anybody can paint, this is a cost-effective option.

Bed Liner Painting in a Vibrant Color:

You have a wide range of color options to choose from, all of which you may use to get the style and feel you want.

With paint, you have significantly more freedom of expression than you would with rubber or any other medium.

A frequent choice is to have the bed liner painted in a different color. However, some individuals paint their beds with white bed liners.

Durability:

It is impenetrable and long-lasting. It’s painted, after all.

Bed liners painted by a competent artist have an impressive visual impact.

Simple to clean:

In most cases, two coatings are applied, making cleanup a painless task.

Cons of Bed Liner Paint Job

It Requires Good knowledge:

If you’re not an expert, your results may be less than stellar. If you’re not working in an enclosed garage, bugs are more likely to get stuck on the wet paint.

Health Issues:

Using a spray gun without a respirator might create health issues.

It Takes a Long Time:

Working alone may be exhausting and time-consuming. You may have trouble getting to some spots or painting the windows and mirrors, which would be visually damaging.

Cost of A Bed Liner Paint Job

A bed liner paint job does not have a set price, but the pros often charge between $100 and $800, with some charging as much as $1000 in extreme circumstances.

If you’ve decided to paint your bed liner yourself, expect to pay $80 and $100 for the essential work.

Do you know the raptor liner paint job cost? Spending between $800 and $1000 on a professional raptor bed liner spray may be required. It’s not difficult to paint a truck’s bed liner, and it only takes a few hours to complete.

It’s pretty cost-effective, and the owner may undertake the work as they see fit. If you want to give your truck a fresh look, keep reading to learn how to accomplish it.

DIY Bed Lining for Your Car

Off-road truckers and enthusiasts will find this manual very useful.

Bed liner ensures a durable surface that won’t be damaged by flying rocks or soiled throughout your journeys. It’s possible to do this project in one weekend. 

Supply Lists

Raptor Liner:

You can get a decent U-pool raptor liner. Pack two kits if you think one will be insufficient.

Paint:

If you choose tintable, you must select your color. So, pick a decent paint from Amazon.

APR approved:

This one guard against harmful particles.

A U-Pol spray gun:

The u-pol spray is not that cheap. So, where you purchase it matters. 

Masking Paper: 

This paper will cover windows and other areas where the liner will not go.

3M or auto masking tape:

This will hide your vehicle while not in use.

Sandpaper & DA Sander:

Sandpaper and a DA sander will scuff up the truck’s surface and make it more bondable for the bed liner.

Air Compressor:

Assess and choose your most suitable air compressor, and upgrade if necessary. You created a list, went shopping, and got your stuff.

Step By Step Guide For DIY Bed Lining

Step 1: Prep your truck for the paint work:

As a first step, get your car ready for towing before you start applying the bed liner.

First, empty your car of all your belongings and mobile items.

Begin masking off the areas you don’t want the liner on using the masking paper and tape.

The next step is to rough up the truck’s surface, where the liner will be applied with sandpaper and DA. Sanding helps the paint adhere better to the surface of your automobile, resulting in a more beautiful, long-lasting finish.

In the end, you’ll have to clean off all of the sanding dust from your truck.

Take one final examination on your truck to verify everything is ready and then continue to the next phase.

Step 2: Time to spray the bed liner:

At this point, we may begin painting the bed liner.

Before you start applying the bed liner, be sure you’re doing it correctly by reading the directions that came with it. We suggested you should never be in a rush to accomplish this work if you want the most significant outcomes.

In the user’s guide, you’ll find essential details like how much u-pol to use and how much hardener to mix in.

In addition, your spray gun will need to be shaken and adjusted. This minimizes the risk of smearing or brushing against the bed liner that has already been applied. It’s also a snap to correct an errand run.

3: Let the bed liner air-dry for a couple of days:

When you’re pleased with your application technique, it’s time to enable the bed liner paint to cure. 

Please give your truck at least a couple of hours to heal if no additional information is provided. Also, don’t touch the surface during the drying period since you’ll undo all the hard work you’ve already done.

Please do not go in or out of your automobile while it is curing.

If you’ve waited long enough, you’ll be able to open your car’s doors and hood with confidence, knowing that your actions won’t damage the paint-work.

Do It Yourself Alternative Bed Liner Paint Job Guide

Follow these 10 easy steps to get your bed liner paint job done.

Step 1:

You’ll need to pick a paint brand and go to work to get started. When using a spin sander, the best angle is a straight angle.

Step 2:

Properly clean the surface of the sanded pain using your compressor blower. Make sure all the trash and other particles are removed completely to get the best results.

Step 3:

Remove all car budges to prevent painting over them and preserve them somewhere secure. When reinstalling them, take care not to damage your truck by tearing or otherwise mishandling them.

Step 4:

When you are done with the budges, do some extra sanding around the areas you wish to paint. This will aid in the paint’s ability to adhere to the surface securely and effectively.

Step 5:

To make washing the car more effortless, use a cloth and some water to clean the surface.

Step 6:

The following stage needs to be done correctly and adequately. Avoid painting areas you don’t want to be exposed to paint by taping them down and ensuring the tape is secure.

Sections where the emblems are, handles, locks, and side mirrors are not to be painted.

Step 7:

Make good use of your resources to keep them well-protected. Masking papers or even newspapers would do a terrific job.

Step 8:

In this phase, you’ll select the liner’s texture and color. Open it after you’ve got it in your hands. Don’t miss this vital step–stir it pretty thoroughly.

Step 9:

You may either obtain a special apparatus to aid you with the procedure or use what you have to make the magic happen. This might be a drill or a blender component.

Brushes are up to personal preference. When you are done with color mixing, the following phase is to pour the paint into a separate container.

Step 10:

This is optional; however, having the paint in the container is slightly more comfortable to dip and turn the roll brush faster.

Do your first coat. Be sure to paint in a single direction to achieve a more excellent texture for your truck bed.

Allow the first coat to dry completely before moving on to the next one and repeating the process. After an hour, go to the next layer. Be cautious not to leak while you work.

Finally, you’re ready to give your big four a makeover. Remove all the tapes and place back the badges, and you are done with your bed liner paint job.

Top 3 Bed Liner Paint In 2022 – Table with Pros & Cons

1. Herculiner HCL1B8 Bed Liner Kit

Summary

Roll-on bed liner paint is simple to use. This set contains a bed liner, abrasive pad, rollers, and a brush.

Pros

• Requires no specialized tools.
• Easy to apply.
• Has a high success rate.

Cons

• No potential cons.

2. Durabak Cream Textured Bed Liner

Summary

For trucks and cars, Durabak is the most recognized liner in the United States.

Pros

• Smooth and textured finishes.
• DIY Custom Coat.
• Easy to apply.

Cons

• Expensive bed liner.

3. Rust-Oleum Truck Bed Coating or Liner

Summary

Vehicle lifetime may be increased efficiently with Rust-Oleum Truck Bed Coating’s superior line of products.

Pros

• Cheap.
• Rust formula to halt corrosion.
• Scratch resistance.

Cons

• Bit complex to apply it.

Final Verdict

Bed liners are an excellent method to protect your truck bed and cargo from harm.  

It’s not only about the equipment but also about the time and work you put into using one or more of the best DIY bed liners.

FAQ’s

How long does the spray-on bed liner last?

There is a price to pay, though. The full body spray’s pricing at Line-X varies, typically from $3,000 to $5,000. That contrasts with $450 to $550 for a typical bed liner spray, Liveoak explains.

Can you paint over the old bed liner?

You have the option to paint over rhino liner if you like to do so. For the most pleasing effects, though, you’ll need to conduct the correct preparation of the surface to be painted.

Is the bed liner permanent?

Not really. Correspondingly, keep in mind that a spray-on bed liner is quite durable.