Any good tips on properly preparing a bed for spray in liner??

[UATahoe]

Thought i would ask those that have had good success with spraying in their own liner. I recently purchased the Raptor bed liner kit and was going to tackle the job once it got a little cooler. I hear most say that the durability and final outcome is really all in how you prep and how well you prep. Anybody have some tips on what worked well or things they would have changed?

[INSIDIOUS '86]

The best way Is to get it to bare metal its how rhino and line x do theirs.
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[85chevy86]

Originally Posted by INSIDIOUS '86

The best way Is to get it to bare metal its how rhino and line x do theirs.
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you sure about that? worked for line-x 11 or so years now never went to bare metal.

best thing to do is just make sure the paint you are going over was prepped right and not flaking off. sand every thing real good and make sure there is no grease or dirt on the metal be for you start.

imo do it your self kits are not worth it.

[INSIDIOUS '86]

It's what I've seen done locally.
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[PAWS 72]

Originally Posted by 85chevy86

you sure about that? worked for line-x 11 or so years now never went to bare metal.

best thing to do is just make sure the paint you are going over was prepped right and not flaking off. sand every thing real good and make sure there is no grease or dirt on the metal be for you start.

imo do it your self kits are not worth it.

I agree on the self kits. I dont think they look as good as the other liners.

[PAWS 72]

Uatahoe, go to the ppg store there in huntsville and get one of the red brushes that goes on the end of a side grinder . And use it. Then sand what you cant get with the brush.good 80 grit paper does well.

[INSIDIOUS '86]

Originally Posted by PAWS 72

I agree on the self kits. I dont think they look as good as the other liners.

They don't and being single stage aren't as durable as dual stage liners. But they still look better than a beaten scratched up and maybe rusty bed. The spray can stuff I use on my floors is kinda soft and scratches but texture and such can be varied and patching destroyed parts is a breeze. The stuff blends well
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[andrewmp6]

Read the instructions and follow them to a t,Like said sand it and get everything good and clean.

[bigd65]

I have to agree, don't think the bare metal is a good idea.... That will subject the metal to rust if water gets under the liner
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[muthstryker]

Upol Raptor Liner. Its pretty great stuff and only $120 for the kit. Alot of hot rodders use it for the under carriages on their cars.

[PAWS 72]

Originally Posted by INSIDIOUS '86

They don't and being single stage aren't as durable as dual stage liners. But they still look better than a beaten scratched up and maybe rusty bed. The spray can stuff I use on my floors is kinda soft and scratches but texture and such can be varied and patching destroyed parts is a breeze. The stuff blends well
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I do use it for stuff like this.And inside doors also. I think it quiets it down on the inside also.

[xrcr]

I used Herculiner and have no complaints, this is not a DD. It's only as good as your prep. I had down to bare metal in a lot of spots but rolled on Zero rust paint first after I degreased of course. When I did the Herc liner I wiped down with a de gloss and rolled on. So far so good but like I said not a DD

[UATahoe]

Thanks for all of the input guys. The main reason i am wanting to do the liner is to improve looks. The bed only has the slightest of surface rust on one spot and the rest is fine but the paint has definitely seen better days and i dont want the rust to spread. The truck actually had the plastic liner insert when i bought it. I removed it and want to spray it. The bed will be rarely used. Hardly ever have the need to haul anything so it will be used very very lightly if at all.

[bojak]

Prep, prep, prep. I burned a whole weekend doing a herculiner kit. Looked and held up better than my buddy's line-x bed. I wire wheeled everything, scrubbed the bed with detergent and water, washed it out, let it dry, wiped it down twice with acetone, let it dry, applied liner. I used 2 kits to do long bed. I did over the rail and tailgate. I heavy brushed all the corners and tight places then came back and rolled it out. Let it flash and applied second kit. Backed it out in sun and left it for 2 days. Worked a$$ off and it turned out great. My buddy was ticked his line x was already peeling. Herculiner is really hard and abrasive though. I think the commercial vendors don't do a very good amount of prep. There product is superior but no one is going to fuss over your stuff like you will.
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[andrewmp6]

Bojak your right i have seen one or two big name spray in liners peeling before,My brothers truck has line-x in it and it looks good but we sanded the bed before he took it to get sprayed.

[UATahoe]

Any recommendations on what type of wire wheel to use??

[Skunksmash]

Originally Posted by 85chevy86

imo do it your self kits are not worth it.

Why not? Friend of mine has a hippo liner he did 5+ years ago and still going strong. Even mixed in some kind of color to match his truck. Convinced me to use that one.

[bojak]

I used the cup style wire abrasive wheel on a large angle grinder. The really course kind not the buffing style.

If you have access to a sand blaster that is the absolute best prep you can do. We have our company trucks professionally done and the vendor gives us a good deal ( $350 ish) on 8 foot flat beds with head ache rack included because we sand blast everything before we send it to him. That and we send him a lot of work. Blast it and drive it straight there.

[85chevy86]

Originally Posted by Skunksmash

Why not? Friend of mine has a hippo liner he did 5+ years ago and still going strong. Even mixed in some kind of color to match his truck. Convinced me to use that one.

It is just that all of them that come in to the shop people are not happy with (stuff sliding around, bleaching out, and lifting up). Now if you do the prep right it may hold up and not be a problem.