What to know about spray in bed liners?

[nogaroheli]

I'm in the market for a spray in bed liner for my truck and have been seeing a few options. It seems like there's Rhino Lining and Line-X for the main brands, but then there are other options like UV protectant that I'm also wondering about- are the upgrades worth it? For those of you with a spray in liner what are your experiences and opinions? Anyone have a shop close to the Springs that they recommend?
Thanks!

[ray1970]

I have Line-x in my company truck. I'm not very friendly to it and it is holding up well. Not sure which one is in my personal truck but it doesn't see anywhere near the hard use like the company truck so it's still in great shape.

I have no idea if any of the additives really do much or if they're just snake oil for up selling to unwary customers.

[Bailey Guns]

I've had both. Both seem durable. Line X keeps it's color and doesn't fade like Rhino in my opinion.

[UncleDave]

I've had line-x in my personal truck for 10 year, still looks as good as new. No peeling or fading.

[sandman76]

Line-X in three pickups I've owned in the last 16 years. Holds up to use and doesn't fade. Would recommend.

My work truck is an '02 and Line-X installed when new and it still looks good. Not garaged.

[ThunderSquirrel]

Line-x all the way.

[nogaroheli]

That's what I'm looking to hear. I want a tough liner but I'm not a fan of the faded look, Line-X sounds as if it has the edge there.

Bailey, UncleDave- do you know if your Line-X has the UV protectant in it?

[brutal]

Line-X here. 12 years running and still looks great. Not even sure they had "UV protector" when I got mine.

Friend's Rhino is "stickier" and softer and and faded. Perhaps the UV protector is needed.

[newracer]

I also have Line-X in my '05 Silverado. It was installed by the previous owner and although it had some scratches and chips it still looked great when I bought it. After an accident last year the whole bed was resprayed, it is darker now but not by much.

[Buff]

LineX and would advise to stick with Black.

[hurley842002]

If you want the cleanest look, and longest lasting color, Line-X is the only way to go in my opinion.

[Hound]

I am also looking but curious of why only black. I am wanting something lighter to keep the heat down in the summer.


LineX and would advise to stick with Black.

[BushMasterBoy]

Black Linex Matters? I am assuming it is way easier to clean and stain resistant.

[Jeffrey Lebowski]

Another vote for Line-X. Had it in my 03 and again in my 07. Loved it, and it really protects. In my case, I had a tonneau so I can't comment on fade, but it looked as good as the day I got it when I sold the 07 in 2015. I'd have it in my new truck if it weren't a plastic bed.

[Bailey Guns]

Bailey, UncleDave- do you know if your Line-X has the UV protectant in it?

No idea. According to the Line X website you have to upgrade to the "Premium" bedliner to get UV protection.

[Grant H.]

I have Line-X in my personal truck, and we also have it in all of our company trucks. I've had it in my personal truck for 9 years, and it's had battery acid, crude oil, diesel/diesel additive, gasoline, brake fluid, etc all spilled on it, and it doesn't show any ill effects.

We are especially hard on the company trucks, and we have not paid for upgraded versions with the UV. Battery acid washes off without harm. I had 5 large batteries split and drain into the bed, and the Line-X washed off and looks like new.

We only do black, since the one time I have seen a color, it faded within 1 year. It looked horrible.

[Colorado Osprey]

Interesting thread since they are almost identical products- the installer is the main difference.

The difference is more on who installs and the gun than the product itself.
Preparation and sprayed lining thickness as well as distance the gun is held when the product installed are the main differences, not the product itself.
All colors will fade and that is why some companies will only spray black. Any other color will turn yellow with time.

Preparation is key>
What are you getting- Chemical etch- fast but poorest adhesion. Scotchbrite scuff- better but there are better options. Sanding- best option- but how well did they do their job.
Hand sanding vs power sanding and did the installer take care and do a good job? Chemical etch is the most common since it is fast. Scotchbrite scuffing is the next most popular. But if your prepper was someone with little attention to detail or girly-man arms you are not getting a good surface prep and are better off chemical etching. Hand sanding falls in the same category as Scothbrite scuffing. A prepper with attention to detail with a power sander is the best option but is hard to find anyone doing this correct prep work. After the product is installed that work is hidden so lots of companies cheap out here.

I am only trying to compare the two major hot applied liners, not the optional cold spray Rhino products like Tuffgrip which is entirely a different product that is a completely different discussion.

Companies are NOT spraying the product as thick as they should since this is their expense. When the product is not sprayed as thick as it is supposed to it does not protect as designed and can get cut or peel. It also saves the installers company the majority of its costs. All of the companies installing the product warranty against this and will re-spray any problem areas as most people just want to keep their bed from getting scratched up and never put anything on the bed that could ever damage it. But for those of you who do use your trucks for work insist that they spray it to at least the 3/16" like they are supposed to.

In the business I am in we cut holes in beds daily and I only see 1 of 1000 beds sprayed to the proper thickness. We used to spray both products, so I am familiar with both.

Next finish. Depending on what you plan to use the bed for should determine this and this is the major difference between how the two major bed liners are applied and finished. Linex has a smoother finish and better if you plan to drag something across the bed or are sliding something in and out. Rhino has a rougher finish preventing things from sliding around in the bed but makes it more difficult to slide things in and out.

Smoother finish - Linex
Rougher finish- Rhino

Makes it pretty simple.

[nogaroheli]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I like the smoother, glossier finish in the ones I've seen and it sounds like Line-X is the way to go there.

Osprey- is the Line-X installer in the Springs a good installer? Thanks for the industry insight!

[brutal]

Next finish. Depending on what you plan to use the bed for should determine this and this is the major difference between how the two major bed liners are applied and finished. Linex has a smoother finish and better if you plan to drag something across the bed or are sliding something in and out. Rhino has a rougher finish preventing things from sliding around in the bed but makes it more difficult to slide things in and out.

Smoother finish - Linex
Rougher finish- Rhino

Makes it pretty simple.

I would say Line-x "smoother" is slick but like sandpaper, smaller grip media size so to say compared to the "rough" Rhino which is chunkier, rubbery - unless formulas have changed. You can get rashed from the Line-x if you have over the rail, and watch out for that edge!. I'm sure a lot depends on the installer. Line-x just look better IMHO and I've been very pleased with mine on the last two vehicles.

[alan0269]

I've had both - LineX in personal trucks and Rhino in my current work truck - it was already there when the truck was purchased). The Rhino seems to be very soft compared to the LineX and has shown to be fairly easy to gouge and scrape up (something I have not experienced happening previously with LineX). This is the only experience I have personally had with a Rhino liner, so I can't say if it was just applied improperly or just the way they are. I will stick with LineX for anything I pay to have put in.

[SamuraiCO]

I've had Rino in my first truck. Was still going strong after 13 years. Going with Line-X in the newer truck just because I can get it done locally. Hate the plastic liners that came with the truck. Good info to know about the prep work and helps with questions we might have.

[3beansalad]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I like the smoother, glossier finish in the ones I've seen and it sounds like Line-X is the way to go there.

Osprey- is the Line-X installer in the Springs a good installer? Thanks for the industry insight!
We've had three company trucks done in town, all looked fantastic and have held up well. FiL's truck looks even better, his never sees any work. Line X did them all.

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[gnihcraes]

DIY, ~$200 in color of your choice. Monstaliner. Worked great in my jeep project. Not super duper thick like the lineX stuff, but good enough I'd say for most people. I'd also opt for a color coating to keep the heat down if it's an open bed truck. (no topper)
Can always coat a 3rd time.

66874

[Gunner]

I habe no idea whay was in my ford but it sucked it was ripping in areas etc. It wasnt line x, those seem to hold up well

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