Resto---Keep bed natural or use spray-in-bed-liner?

[70cst]

Decisions...Decisions...Decisions...Decisions... As some of you know I plan on the Resto this fall of my 70cst and if it were you...would you keep the bed natural or spray it with bed liner? If you would spray it would you spray black or color match it? Thanks in advance If it makes any difference my truck is tuotone olive green. The cab is light olive and the bottom is dark olive gree.

[Angelo]

If i was you i would put bed liner on the bed . So in the future you would not have to worry about it rusting. That is what i plan on doing to my 67,70,71,and 72 longbeds.

[heavy71chevy]

id say use the black bed liner..gives it a new fresh look and also that stuff is as strong as a tank...saves you rust issues down the road too

[70cstjr]

spray on, color match make it look good..drop ins cant take abuse like spray ons and drop ins trap water underneath and cause rust issues down the road also remember your truck has a drop in right now and remember what the bed floor looks like?

[heavy71chevy]

oh just to make sure i totally agree with jr. those drop in sucks..use the spray in..you wont regret it

[CG]

I hear how drop ins trap water but how does it get in there? I have a drop in that locks in under the bed rails. Before I put it in I gave the inside of the box a couple of thick coats of hammerite paint. This was done around 10 years ago. Ive pulled the liner a couple of times and it looks fine under there. I like the drop ins better because I can slide stuff.

I just picked up a truck with spray in and it definatly is tuff stuff and sure has its good points. I guess it all goes to personal preference.

[70cstjr]

i guess from what ive seen drop in vs. spray on..if you have a drop in and decide to take it out it really scars up the bed floor from sliding, rubbing, ect. the spray on its on and its there to stay, and if it ever does scrap or peel its fixed for free..just my honest opinion

[tclaremont]

Easy solition. Spray on a bedliner, and then drop in a liner. Best of both worlds.

[gotchevys?]

A question that has always been in my mind about spray on bedliners on older trucks is the issue of rust. What if it rusts from the underside? Can you imagine trying to disassemble the bed or repair rust with a sprayon bedliner in it? For a new truck id definatly go spray on, but with an older truck I've alwasy wonder about that.

[70cst]

Oh...I forgot. I will be installing a new/used bed that is in very nice rust/dent free condition. This will be a DD and not a show truck. I did not realize one could still get a drop in bed liner...then again I haven't been looking. As far a spray in liners I know of three which have been discussed. Rhino, Line X and Gatorhyde(?). I appreciate all your input. I realize I have plenty of time but I am trying to get my decisions made now so I won't have to worry about it later. Sounds like it will be a good idea to give the bottom of the bed a good coat of some type of rust inhibitor.

[BCOWANWHEELS]

if your bed is cherry leave it natural because your truck is worth more all original. if bed is not so nice or you plan on working it coat it. i,d color match the coating unless you haul greasey stuff.
jmo
bob