You bought a pickup truck because it is a hard-working and durable vehicle. If you are going to use the pickup truck for business, it can become your trusty companion.
In whatever capacity you want to use your pickup truck, you should take proper care of it. One part that needs extra protection is the truck bed since this will bear the brunt of the items you will load into the truck. Unfortunately, a brand new one has a thin coat of protection that will soon wear off. The better option is to use or apply a pickup bed liner to ensure that the truck’s bed will last for a long time.
Bed liner options
Pickup truck owners can choose from different types of bed liners. Each one has its advantages and disadvantages. Your choice of bed liner will be according to your budget and your needs.
- Bed rugs and bed mats. The cheapest is the bed rugs or mats. While they protect the truck bed, the material does not last long. Since the mats and rugs are carpet-like, the surface is smooth and slippery, great when you load heavy things so you can push them around instead of picking them up. But they are not waterproof.
- Drop-in bed liners. A plastic or acrylic drop-in bed liner is molded to fit a given model of the truck closely. It can absorb shock. The liner is affordable but may not last long if you are loading pretty heavy and rough things. While the interior is easy to clean, dust, water/rain, and debris can penetrate the gaps between the walls of the liner and the truck bed. Also, since a drop-in bed liner is bolted to the truck bed, it is difficult to remove if you want to clean the underneath of the liner.
- Spray-on bed liner. If you are looking for the ultimate protective liner for your truck bed, you only have one choice right now—a spray-on (spray-in bed liner), although this product is the most expensive. A spray-on bed liner can be made of 100 percent polyurea, 100 percent polyurethane, or a combination of polyurea and polyurethane. They are available in spray cans or paint cans, which can be applied by the truck owner or a professional.
Features and advantages of a spray-on bed liner
The spray-on bed liner is in liquid form, which ensures total coverage. The material can reach all the corners of the truck bed. As a result, it can cover the gaps around nuts and bolts, seams and joints, and minor scratches, dents, and holes. Its capacity to seal the entire truck bed area makes the bed waterproof and resistant to corrosion, weather, and UV rays. In addition, the product provides a cushiony, non-slip surface that has shock-absorbing properties. Once properly cured, the bed liner requires minimal maintenance, but you can expect it to last almost a lifetime.
The product can cover the floor, walls, and tailgate of the truck bed. Therefore, you do not need to anchor it to the truck bed’s frame to prevent it from jiggling.
Take full advantage of the benefits of using a spray-on bed liner by having a professional apply the product to your truck. The spray-on bed liner is made from chemical products that need proper ventilation and the right tools during application to avoid any health issues.
