The world of bedliners has seen progress since the early times when truck owners used basic drop in liners for safeguarding their vehicle's beds. Currently dominated by spray on bedliners that provide protection and durability while seamlessly blending in with the vehicle's aesthetics. As technology progresses and customer preferences change over time the future direction of the bedliner industry appears to be driven by advancements focusing on improving performance promoting sustainability and catering to a wide range of applications. 

The emergence of spray-on bedliners has revolutionized the way truck owners perceive safeguarding their vehicle's integrity and longevity to an extent. In contrast to liners susceptible to cracking or warping and prone to moisture entrapment issues, spray on bedliners establish a lasting connection with the truck bed that offers exceptional resilience against impacts, scratches, chemical exposure, and even harmful UV rays. These outstanding attributes have firmly established spray on bedliners as the industry standard, positioning them as a cornerstone of the market trajectory. However developments in material science and techniques, for application will keep pushing the limits of what these linersre capable of achieving. 

A key development in the bedliner sector is the increasing emphasis on personalized applications of just safeguards for truck beds alone. Polyurethane-based coatings are gaining traction due to their adaptability in industries beyond trucks. More individuals are opting for tailored coating options for boats and industrial machinery as they realize polyurethane's resilience and shielding properties. The change suggests that the bedliner sectors upcoming direction will extend past just safeguarding automobiles to encompass an array of sectors seeking durable and dependable surface shielding. 

Polyurethane bed liners are ideal for these customized uses because of their flexibility, curing times, and capacity to stick to different surfaces effectively. In settings like factories and manufacturing sites for instance; this same material that shields truck beds from damage can also be used to safeguard machinery or buildings subjected to chemicals or heavy duty operations. This versatility renders coatings based on polyurethane attractive in a variety of industries, with advancements in technology promising even greater potential for these coatings, in unconventional environments. 

The future of the bedliner industry will be influenced by sustainability as regulations regarding chemical usage tighten and consumer awareness of environmental impact increases. Companies in this market must adjust by producing products that are both long lasting and effective while also being eco friendly The task, for manufacturers will be to formulate coatings that meet these criteria without compromising the features that have made bedliners popular to begin with. 

Eco conscious advancements in product formulations are currently in progress with certain companies looking into low VOC polyurea bedliners to minimize emissions during application processes while others focus their efforts towards creating recyclable materials that maintain protective qualities intact. These innovations suggest an era where environmental sustainability and product efficacy can coexist harmoniously within the bedliner sector. 

The way applications are done is expected to change well in the future for spray-on bedliners currently applied with high pressure spray rigs – new systems might involve better methods that cut down waste and enhance accuracy instead Robotics or state-of-the-art spray technologies that lower overspray while guaranteeing uniform thickness could become standard This shift wouldn't just make the applying process more efficient but also deliver more reliable outcomes, for customers. 

Innovations in nanotechnology and material science may lead to the future incorporation of materials in bedliners. These advancements could enable bedliners to possess self healing capabilities by repairing minor scratches or dings over time. This feature would enhance the durability of bedliners. Minimize the requirement for touch-ups or reapplications, resulting in a longer lifespan for the protective coating. 

The rise in vehicle (EV) popularity may impact the bedliner sector's future, too, as electric trucks become more common among automakers, leading to a higher need for bedliners that are both lightweight and durable.Polyurea bedliners currently have the advantage of being lighter than drop in liners; however there is room for further advancements to make these coatings even lighter while maintaining or enhancing their protective qualities.This improvement would be attractive, to EV owners who prioritize efficiency and are considerate of any weight that could impact their vehicles driving range. 

Furthermore, as customers seek to personalize their automobiles, the bedliner sector might experience an increase in appealing choices. Although black remains the hue, for bedliners upcoming offerings may present a broader array of textures and finishes enabling individuals to coordinate their bedliner with their vehicles color palette or opt for a finish that elevates the trucks aesthetic appeal. This fusion of safeguarding and customization could emerge as a selling feature as individuals strive to differentiate their vehicles from others. 

Conclusively speaking the bedliner sectors future will be shaped by innovation, adaptability and an increasing emphasis on sustainability. Spray on bedliners, those crafted from polyurea will persist as the top pick due to their sturdy nature and versatility. Nevertheless as the industry progresses fresh technologies and materials will introduce prospects, for the utilization of bedliners both within conventional automotive settings and beyond. The companies that take the lead, in this change will be the ones that welcome ideas while remaining committed to the fundamental values of efficiency and durability that have solidified bedliners as a crucial aspect of owning a vehicle.

Do you own a pickup truck or large utility vehicle that sees more outdoor terrain than city streets? If so, you likely understand the importance of protecting your cargo bed from damage caused by hauling and storing tools and equipment. One of the most accessible and affordable ways to protect your vehicle's bed is by installing an automotive grade bedliner. But before taking this step, it’s essential to explore the various types of sports utility vehicle (SUV) bedliners available in terms of their features, benefits, materials used for fabrication as well as cost factors related to each option. In this blog post we will discuss the top 5 SUV bedliner types on the market today.

Overview of Automotive Bedliner Types

Automotive bedliners are a crucial part of any truck owner's maintenance routine. Not only do they protect your vehicle's bed from dings and scratches, but they can also add an extra layer of security against rust and corrosion. With so many different types of bedliners available on the market, it can be tough to know which one is right for you. Some popular options include drop-in liners, spray-on liners, and carpet liners. Each type has its pros and cons, so it's important to consider factors like durability, cost, and ease of installation before making a decision. But no matter which type of bedliner you choose, you'll be investing in the long-term health and functionality of your truck.

Advantages of Using a Spray-On Liner

Benefits of a Drop-In Bedliner

A drop-in bedliner can be a game changer when it comes to protecting your truck bed against scratches, dents, and spills. Not only does it serve as a barrier between your cargo and the metal bed, but it also makes cleaning up a breeze. With a drop-in liner, you won't have to worry about spending hours scrubbing and washing your truck bed after a long day of hauling. Another perk? Drop-in bedliners are easily removable, which means you can switch them out or take them out altogether if needed. This versatility makes them a great investment for any truck owner who values convenience and peace of mind.

Protective Qualities of Roll-On Bedliners

Roll-on bedliners offer a tremendous level of protection for your truck's bed. These protective coatings are applied by rolling them onto the surface, creating a durable layer that can resist scratches, scuffs, and other forms of damage. Unlike drop-in bedliners, roll-on coatings adhere closely to the contours of your truck's bed, eliminating the risk of shifting or rubbing that can cause wear and tear. Plus, these bedliners can withstand extreme temperatures, harsh chemicals, and even impact damage. With all these protective qualities, it's no wonder why roll-on bedliners have become so popular among truck owners who want to safeguard their investment and preserve its condition for years to come.\

Cost Comparison Between Different Types of Bedliners

When it comes to choosing the right bedliner for your truck, there are a variety of factors to consider. Of course, you want something that will provide you with reliable protection for your vehicle's bed, but you also want to make sure that you're getting the best value for your money. In terms of cost, there are a few different options to choose from. Spray-on bedliners tend to be the most expensive, but they offer exceptional durability and can be customized to fit your specific vehicle. Drop-in bedliners are generally more affordable and easy to install, but they may not provide as much protection in the long run. Finally, there are also do-it-yourself bedliner kits that can be purchased at a lower cost, but may require more time to install and may not offer the same level of durability as other options. The key is to weigh the costs and benefits of each option and determine which bedliner will be the best fit for your needs and budget.

Tips for Installing Your Own Automotive Bedliner

Bedliners provide an invaluable protective layer for your car, truck or SUV. Whether you decide to go with the cost-effective rolled option, a more costly and convenient drop-in liner, or an environmentally friendly spray-on option, there are many variations available that can protect your vehicle from everyday wear and tear as well as scratches and dents. Ultimately, selecting the right automotive bedliner can help preserve your paint job and upholstery for years to come. Additionally, by installing it yourself, or consulting a professional if necessary, you can ensure that installation is done properly and accurately so that the bedliner offers maximum protection without compromising durability. With these tips in mind, you'll be able to find the perfect bedliner that meets both your needs and budget.

Bedliners are something that can transform the looks and durability of your truck bed. Many people understand how the classic plastic Bedliners are set up in the bed of a truck due to their simplicity; however, the majority of people do not realize what it requires to do a Spray In Bedliner correctly. Spray-In Bedliners are fantastic because they can make your brand-new truck bed look better and make your old truck bed look terrific! Numerous most likely think that Spray In Bedliners are a fairly easy procedure when in reality there is much more to them than many people think. In this blog, I am going to go through all of the actions of doing a Spray In Bedliner.

Let's Get Started!

Pull Truck-In-- First the skilled spray tech pulls the truck into the cubicle that is designed specifically for doing Spray In Bedliners. This cubicle has updated ventilation together with an innovative pumping system that allows for the ISO and Resin to be sprayed through the nozzle of the spray gun at exact temperature levels and pressures.
Removal of Parts-- The spray tech gets rid of the tailgate from the truck and sets it on a stand that is developed specifically for spraying that piece of the truck. In addition to this, all removable tie-downs are removed from the truck bed so that they do not get spray on them. All of these will be re-installed after the truck bed is sprayed so they preserve the tidy aim to them.

Masking-- The spray tech then starts masking the whole truck off. Typically, they start with line tape which will provide a nice tidy line where the edge of the Bedliner is. They then do a couple of layers of masking tape along with that, which is also accompanied by a complete layer of plastic that covers the entire truck. This plastic is used to prevent overspray from getting anywhere not planned on the truck.
Sanding and Cleaning-- The spray tech then takes a sander and sands all surfaces of the truck bed that will receive the polyurea thermoplastic elastomer. This sanding develops a rough surface area so that the spray will stick well to the truck bed in every part. After this, the tech sprays out the bed of the truck with air and cleans down all surfaces with denatured alcohol. This denatured alcohol removes anything that will disrupt the adhesion of the Bedliner.

Spraying-- The tech then puts on their full fit in addition to their breathing mask and they switch on the pump and hose pipe heaters. The hosepipe heating systems heat up the ISO and Resin to accurate temperatures so that they are able to spray out of the gun in a liquid manner like paint would. When all temperature levels and pressures are where they need to be the tech does a number of practice sprays on a plastic piece in order to make any last-minute adjustments to how the gun is spraying. The method the gun works is really rather fascinating, the ISO(the adhesive compound) and the resin (the black substance) are really in separate tubes all the way to the gun. When they reach the gun they blend in addition to air in order to develop an ideal mix for the truck bed. After the spray gun is working precisely how it should, the tech then begins spraying in a specific series. Throughout the first coat, the tech is actually rather near to the surface of the truck with the gun being 2-3 feet away. Being this close permits a thick layer to be used while being rather smooth. Once a think layer is done on the whole truck bed they then return and make certain no areas require additional protection. Finally, the tech stands about 5-6 feet far from the surface area and starts spraying with a specific method. Standing this far allows the Bedliner to dry a little bit in the air provide it the textured surface area when it sticks. The tech does this action until every part of the surface area is textured according to company requirements.

Elimination of tape and plastic-- The tech pulls all of the line tape within 5 minutes of spray in order to produce clean edges for the customer. At this point, all other tape and plastic is eliminated.

Re-install-- The tie-downs are included back to the truck bed in addition to the tailgate.
Lastly, the Spray In Bedliner is all finished up and dry to the touch. Nevertheless, it is wise to leave the tailgate down for a day and not put anything in the truck bed for that period so that it remedies to the truck bed well. 

One of the most common questions we see on truck fan forums or Facebook groups is, "I want to get a bedliner, should I get spray-in or drop-in?". 

In this article, we do our best to help you make that determination based on your specific needs. We'll give our unbiased view of what's good and bad about spray-in and drop-in bedliners.

SPRAY-IN BEDLINER INFORMATION AND INSTALLATION ADVICE

A Spray-in bedliner is just that, a sprayed-in material. The application is made in a paint booth by an installer using a spray gun. Spray-in (or Spray on as it is also referred to) bedliner is a thick painted-on coating of 100% polyurethane, 100% polyurea, or a hybrid of both. The specific makeup of the material applied varies from company to company.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO ASK QUESTIONS; HERE ARE A FEW TO CONSIDER:

#1 – IS THE LINER ALIPHATIC OR AROMATIC COATING?

Aliphatic vs. Aromatic – Most spray-in coatings are polyurethane, and they harden when exposed to the atmosphere. However, some spray-in coatings are called aromatic, and some are called aliphatic.

An aliphatic compound will maintain its pigment (color) better than aromatic compounds. This means a spray-in bed liner using an aliphatic compound will not fade as quickly as one made with an aromatic compound.

The downside is aliphatic coatings are more costly. If you ask someone who works in the spray-in business, they would agree that the aliphatic coatings are better. 

Our take on things? 

If you are not getting a spray-in bedliner made with an aliphatic compound, you should be receiving a very good price, but you can also anticipate it to fade faster.

#2 – WHAT IS YOUR SPECIFIC TRUCK PREPARATION PROCESS?

Truck Prep Process – Spray-in bedliners are essentially painted on, so preparing the surface before painting is the most critical step in the process. A speedy or lazy prep process might not show up right away, but ultimately, the truth will come out in the form of chipping and peeling of the sprayed bedliner material.

A high-quality prep process will comprise of the following steps:

• It is peeling away the truck's bed to the primer or bare metal. This is done using a grinder or sander.
• Cleansing of the newly stripped surface
• Optional but suggested cleaning with a chemical surface prep solution.
• Masking of any coverings of your truck not to be covered with spray-in bed liner. Overspray is a problem with some applicators, and it is very tricky to remove from your truck's paint without scratching the clear coat finish.
• Sufficient gap between your truck and any other vehicles being sprayed. Ideally, the application process should be done in a vented paint booth, but this might not always be available in the shop to get as many done in the day as they can.

#3 – CAN I SEE YOUR PAINT SHOP BEFORE I BUY?

Ask if you can see where the shop and installation process – You can acquire a lot of information about how a company does business by seeing its work environment. A lack of attention to their workspace means a lack of solicitude for the quality of their work. Is the shop clean? Is it organized? Are the workers properly protected for the work they are doing? Are the workers attentive, friendly, and accommodating?

SPRAY IN BEDLINER PROS AND CONS

Now that you have some framework understanding let's look at the good and the bad about spray-in bedliners.

PROS

• A professionally conducted spray-in bedliner looks very good when applied accurately.
• Spray-in bedliner can be utilized anywhere you like as long as the source is prepped as outlined above. This means you can use it on your bumpers, fender flares, or even on the whole body of your truck if you want.
• The spray-in bed liner's texture will usually stop cargo from sliding around in the truck bed compared to a drop-in bed liner's slippery synthetic.

CONS

• The process of installing a spray-in bedliner requires destroying your current factory paint in your truck bed. This will nullify your truck's corrosion warranty on any parts with a spray-on coating.
• Installers of spray-in bedliners need to be professionally qualified and have meticulous attention to detail to accurately and correctly do the job without later problems. If shortcuts are taken, the results can be disastrous. You can find plenty of horror stories about installation frustrations on various websites.
• You cannot remove the spray-in bedliner. Once it's applied, there's no turning back. 
• A tough textured exterior makes it painful to kneel in the truck bed when working.
• Expense. The cost of a spray-in bedliner can be as little as $400 and as high as $700 or possibly higher if you want a color tint or the tailgate covered.

DROP-IN BED LINER PROS AND CONS

In the drop vs. spray-in debate, it's useless to go into great detail on the installation process. Drop-ins are pretty simple. The only guidance we have on the installation "process" is to buy a drop-in bedliner specifically designed for your year make and model vehicle.

They make drop-in bedliners with a universal fit, but this implies they were designed to fit in many truck beds. This can lead to a poor fit, which leads to a host of other problems. Loose-fitting drop-in bedliners scuff your paint, and that causes the bare metal, which will probably not be seen before it's too late.

PROS

• Low Price – They are inexpensive when compared to spray-in bedliners. Most are in the $125 to $200 range.
• Easy Install – Do-it-yourself installation.
• Removable – And potentially transferable if your next truck has the same bed dimensions.
• Protects – Protection from dents and dings when loading and unloading cargo.

CONS

• Poor Quality – Low price usually means a low quality of the plastic used. This type of plastic is vulnerable to cracking and warping. This leads to fitment problems, and bad fitment causes scuffs, which lead to rust and lowers resale value.
• Slick Materials – The covering of most drop-in bedliners is slippery. This leads to cargo sliding around and possible damage to the truck bed's contents.
• Traps Water – Drop-in Liners is a huge plastic tub, they tend to trap water and do not allow for proper drainage.
• Exposed Sheet Metal – Tie-down access is not typically machined to tight tolerances; rather, it is an access hole. This reduces your cargo space in the truck and allows water and debris to get trapped under the liner.
• Noisy – With poor fitment, you have a loose piece of plastic in your truck bed. On the road, the wind can get under the bed liner, leading to noise from the bedliner hitting the truck bed's sides and floor.

While our opinion on which bedliner you should choose is pretty clear (we think Spray In Bedliners are best), we encourage anyone buying one with an ArmorThane spray-in bedliner to do their due diligence. With over 30 years in the business, they are the go-to company when it comes to Spray In Bedliners, and they are who we highly recommend. If you choose a spray-in bedliner, look into the installer completely.

If you opt for a drop-in bed liner, be sure it fits correctly, and consider purchasing a rubber bed mat to improve the cargo control.

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Gauging Your Truck Bedliner For Proper Spray on Coating Protection

There are lots of Do It Yourself spray-on bedliner kits available to shield your truck bed, varying from brush on paint type to spray on multi-part types. The initial step in selecting any type of item is recognizing just how many items you will require; and also this indicates you need to first recognize how much area is to be covered.

Approximating your truck bed surface area can occasionally be tough, and bed dimensions vary commonly; however, you should regularly examine exactly how thick the finished bedliner will be for the square video required. To approximate the actual square footage, you merely require 3 measurements (in inches) drawn from inside the truck bed: Length, Width, and Depth.

To make gauging your truck bed as simple as possible, we have actually created a truck bed area calculator for you. Just put the 3 dimensions from over in the calculator below, as well as allow us do the mathematics:

Use this estimation to ensure you get the proper protection out of any type of DIY spray-on bedliner purchase. Constantly ask the number of square feet your spray-on bedliner will cover, and at what density. For ANY bedliner to function appropriately and protect your truck bed, we suggest a minimum of 63 mils (1/16th inch). Thicker bedliner (100-- 125 mil) is advised for heavy-duty usage.

Beware concerning the claims made by many of ArmorThane's rivals concerning just how much their product covers. Some claim that their item will certainly supply the same density with much less volume (gallons of sprayable product). That insurance claim is merely impossible! A gallon is a volume, and a square foot at a provided thickness CALLS FOR a specific volume. You can find out more about appropriate bedliner insurance coverage here: Straightforward Mathematics to Determine Bedliner Protection.

To swiftly establish the minimum covering demands for your square video footage, use our Bedliner Calculator, and also select the mil elevation best for your work. ArmorThane's products are 100% solids (which implies no density is shed in healing), so you do not need to add for dissipation loss. All one part products loosened mil elevation by evaporation (they are thinner when dry), as well as the coverage claims by others generally do not make up for this loss.

Constantly do a little research prior to you get as well as see if the insurance coverage asserts suit reality.ArmorThane offers real math to make certain appropriate truck bed defense each time.

Those who want to compute their truck bed area themselves may discover the adhering to math helpful (all measurements in inches):.

- The formula we make use of for calculating the complete major area is: (( L * W)+((( L+W) * 2) * D))/ 144.

- If covering the rails, we suggest adding regarding 5 inches for the whole perimeter (( L+W * 2) * 5)/ 144.