Truck Bed Liner Review
There is no argument about a spray bed liner over bare metal and paint. A spray on bed liner substantially increases the life expectancy and durability of a truck bed by decreasing the exposure of the metal truck bed to scratching, air, salt, chemicals, etc. Basically, if rust is prevented then life is increased.
Drop in Versus Spray On
There are some articles produced by Dualiner and some other drop in liner manufacturers that try to argue that a drop in bed liner is better than a spray on bed liner.
One of the only arguments is the ability to remove a bed liner. Well, we see this as grasping at straws.
There really is no reason to ever remove a bedliner once installed.
Just to be fair, we will give a reason to be careful about spray on bed liners. Simply put, style. There are many manufacturers and styles of bed liner. One of the most important things is to make sure that the bed liner that is being applied really fits the bill. Once it’s on there it is expensive to replace and it is not a product that can be returned ;)
Bed Liner Companies to Research
Price, function and style the most important factors to consider. So, here is a general comparison of bed liner companies and variations you can expect from each:
| Company | Price | Application Type | Durability | # of products | Colors | Exterior/Interior |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Line-X | Expensive | Professional | High | 1 | Yes | Yes |
| Rhino Lining | Varies | Pro / DIY | Medium | 3 | Yes | Yes |
| Scorpion Coatings | Varies | Pro / DIY | Medium | 2 | Yes | No |
| Spray-Lining and Coatings | Varies | Pro / DIY | High | 5+ | Yes | Yes |
| Vortex | Expensive | Professional | Medium | 1 | Yes | Yes |
| Raptor | Cheap | DIY | Low | 1 | No | No |
| Speedliner | Moderate | Professional | Medium | 5+ | Yes | No |
| Al's Liner | Expensive | DIY | Low | 1 | No | No |
Click one of the links above to view the review we have written about the product
The ‘Price’ field is simply a reference to the price in comparison to other similar products. For instance, Al’s Liner is expensive compared to other DIY products.
General National Brand Dealer Comparison.
Make Your Decision
There is no company that is the perfect fit for everyone. If you have a Jeep and want to coat the exterior for defense against the effects of mudding and off-roading then Line-X, Vortex or Spray-Lining and Coatings may be the correct solution for you. However, if you simply want a basic black bed liner that you can do yourself you may want to use Raptor or Spray-Lining and Coatings DIY. Regardless of who you are you will need to seriously weigh out each company and determine:
- Do I want to save money on DIY?
- Do I want Colored Bed Liner?
- Do I want a hard or soft texture?
- Do I need to do the outside of my vehicle?
