Quick Answer: Best DIY Bedliner
- 10 x tougher than other bedliners
- Can be applied onto almost any surface: including metal, plastic, wood and concrete
- Easy to apply ; Variety of finishes
- Now in 2K Aerosols for smaller areas
- Designed to cover an average truck bed
There are many ways to protect the truck bed of your precious truck. You could get a roll up tonneau cover to protect it (and your cargo) from the elements. But you can go one step further and also apply the best DIY bedliner.
However, if you want to save a few bucks and love to do some DIY work, then getting a DIY bedliner would be the best choice.
In this post, we will be talking about some of the most popular DIY bedliners out there. Along with that, we will also share a brief yet-to-the-point buying guide on DIY bedliners.
You can read the detailed reviews below, but just wanted to quickly let you know that our recommendation goes for the Raptor bedliner. We have even used it to cover the bumper and the bottom part of the sides of our 4×4 Iveco Turbodaily.
Which is better roll on or spray on bedliner?
A roll-on bedliner provides a budget-friendly option to protect your truck bed. They are cheaper, easier to apply, and come with plenty of options to find the right color. In comparison, spray-on truck bed liners offer better protection from the elements and a sturdier finish. They do however have higher costs and are trickier to apply.
Best DIY Bedliner
Best DIY Bedliner – Reviews
Review of Herculiner Grey Kit 6 foot Truck Bed Roll on Bedliner Kit
Herculiner is a well-known name in the automotive industry. They have a wide variety of exterior accessories for different kinds of vehicles. Now, we are reviewing a full DIY truck bed liner kit from them.
In this package, you are getting one gallon of ready-to-use protective coating, two paint rollers, one paintbrush, one abrasive pad, and one roller handle.
That means you can start using this bedliner right away. According to the manufacturer, it can be applied in just three steps.
This is a high-end polyurethane coating, so it will be durable and last a long time. In addition, it is skid, rust, and peel resistant. You can apply two heavy roll-on coatings on a six foot truck bed with one gallon of this coating.
Another great feature of this bed liner is that it is compatible with many kinds of surfaces. You can apply it on wood, metal, fiberglass, plastic, or even on concrete.
The coating dries very quickly. Make sure you have prepared everything before you start to paint. In terms of ease of use, this is a top-notch bedliner.
What Previous Buyers Said?
The previous buyers of this roll on truck bed liner kit have liked it very much. Most of them are admiring the ease of use of this product.
However, a few buyers said that they had to buy a new pair of paintbrushes, as the supplied ones are not the best quality. Otherwise, they stated the quality of the Herculiner truck bed liner kit is up to the mark.
Pros:
- Very easy to apply
- Can be applied on various surfaces including metal, rubber, wood, plastic, or concrete, etc.
- Rust, flake, peel, or chip resistant
- Comes with all the necessary accessories for free
Cons:
- The included free brush is not of high quality
Review of U-Pol Products RAPTOR Tintable Truck Bed Liner Kit – 4 Liter
If you are looking for a fast-drying truck bed liner, then this one from Raptor could be a good choice, because you can apply the second coat within an hour. In addition, this liner would help deaden the vibrations and sounds. You will also like that it is resistant to scratch, stain, and UV-ray.
The best part about this liner is that it comes in two variations such as black and tintable, so if you get the tintable version, you can easily customize the color and the texture of the liner. The liner is very high-quality and durable so that it will not fade for years to come.
Another pro of this truck bed liner kit is that it is very easy to use. You will just have to fill, shake, and paint. Each truck bed liner kit comes in a 4 liter can. You can either brush it on or use a spray gun. Overall, this kit can cover an average truck bed without any issue.
What Previous Buyers Said?
Frankly, previous buyers of this truck bed liner have liked it a lot. Matter of fact, most of them are recommending this as the best tintable bed liner kit. They have stated that it is very easy to use. Plus, it offers very strong protection and it dries very quickly.
Pros:
- Tough truck bed liner
- Can be applied to various surfaces like plastic, wood, concrete, metal, and more
- UV, water, scratch, and stain resistant
- It helps deaden sounds and vibrations
Cons:
- You have to buy the spray gun separately
Review of Rust-Oleum 342668 Automotive Truck Bed Coating
If you are looking for a non-skid finish, then this Rust-Oleum truck bed coating could be a top pick. It is available in two colors that are black and clear. You can also get it in two sizes: quart and gallon.
It can cover up to 40 sq. ft. per quart and dries very quickly. For the record, it dries to touch within one to two hours, so you will not have to wait for a long time while applying it.
You can apply by spray, brush, or roller. The water-based formula makes it rust and abrasion resistance. On top of this, it offers a non-skid and weather-resistant finish. For the price, this bedliner could be a great choice.
What Previous Buyers Said?
Past buyers of this truck bed coating have actually loved the product. They say it dries very quickly and works as it should. It also offers heavy-duty protection to their truck bed. Along with that, they said it was very easy to apply.
Pros:
- Fast-drying formula
- Easy to apply
- Weather and water-resistant coating
- Scratch, peel, and rust-resistant as well
Cons:
- You will have to buy the applicator kit separately
Review of Custom Coat Tintable Base
Are you looking for customizing the color of the truck bed? Then you should take a look at the ‘Custom Coat Tintable Base’ bedliner kit.
This is available in multiple sizes and kits. However, we are talking about the 1.5 Gallon (6 Quart) option. It is available in various colors (tintable) as well.
As per, 4 quarts should be able to cover a standard 6 ft. pickup truck bed. But if you are going to coat an 8 ft. truck bed, then you will need 5 to 6 Quarts.
This particular kit comes with six 21 fl oz cans of the tintable base, six 8 fl oz cans of hardener, and one applicator spray gun. By mixing the tintable base, bed liner, and hardener, you will be able to create your one favorite color.
This urethane spray-on bedliner is resistant to chipping, UV-ray, water, chemicals, heat, abrasion, and more. Also, it will help dampen the sound and vibration to a greater extent.
Although it comes with a free spray gun, you can use a roller or brush to apply this. All in all, for its versatility, this could be one of the top truck bed liners out there.
What Previous Buyers Said?
According to many former buyers, this is a high-quality bedliner kit. They have liked that it is available in a wide variety of colors, and have loved the user-friendly application process.
Additionally, the customers also praised the durability and quality of the liner.
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Available in a lot of variations
- Weather, heat, water, UV-resistant
- Resistant to chipping, rusting, and abrasion
- It helps deaden sound and vibrations
Cons:
- The spray gun could be of better quality
Review of Dupli-Color BAK2010 Bed Armor DIY Truck Bed Liner with Bed Armor Kit
This truck bed liner kit comes with a lot of features, and has a very low price tag. So, if you are running on a budget, you should keep this on your watch list.
This liner offers a rubberized durable finish. You can use it on all types of surfaces like fiberglass, metal, concrete, wood, etc.
This is a water based polyurethane coating, so it will be very easy to clean up and it has very low odor. For the record, this is available in multiple colors like black, clear, dark olive, and sandstorm.
It is a very durable liner as it is resistant to peeling, chipping, abrasion, water, chemicals, heat, etc.
Each kit comes with 1 gallon of bed liner, 1 roller frame, 1 roller cover, 1 roller tray, 1 stir stick, 1 brush, 1 scuff pad, and the user manual. Interestingly, 1 gallon is enough to cover a 6 foot pickup truck bed. So, all in all, this could be a top-notch deal for truck owners on a budget constraint.
What Previous Buyers Said?
Past buyers of this liner have left mixed feedback about it. Some of them said it didn’t dry up quickly, so they had to wait a long time to complete the application process.
Some customers said you have to follow a lot of steps to get a good quality finish.
On the other hand, a lot of buyers have actually praised the price to performance ratio of this liner.
They have said for the price this is definitely worth it. According to them, if you follow the instructions properly and be patient, the outcome would be amazing.
Pros:
- Reasonable price
- Can be reused
- Easy to clean and apply
- Odor-free and resistant to chipping, heat, chemicals, and water
Cons:
- The overall quality could be better
Review of Seymour 20-041 Truck Bed Coating
If you are looking for a very easy to use truck bed liner, then we have this one from Seymour for you. It comes in an aerosol can of 15 oz.
It is possible to directly spray from the can to apply it, and you can directly spray it onto any metal surface to paint as fast as possible.
Interestingly, it has a very fast cure time. The amazing adhesion makes it suitable as a great truck bed liner. It can hold up pretty well against impact, abrasion, and corrosion. Overall, it will help extend the lifespan of your vehicle.
The Seymour is a thick and long-lasting black sealant that will offer a textured coating. With it coming in a small can, it is perfect for touch-up usage.
This truck bed liner also works really well against UV-ray, water, chemicals, chipping, peeling, and harsh weather conditions without any hitch. So, if you are looking for an aerosol spray paint bed liner, then you should go with this.
What Previous Buyers Said?
This is a favorite product amongst previous buyers. Most say that this is the best bed liner for touch-ups. They have also added that it is very easy to apply as it comes in a spray can.
Plus, buyers also added that this one dries very quickly, meaning it could be a fantastic purchase.
Pros:
- Comes in an easy to use aerosol spray can
- Reasonably priced
- Corrosion, abrasion, chemical, water, and UV-resistant
- It dried very fast
Cons:
- Very small quantity
Best Books On Overlanding
Buying Guide – Best DIY Bed liner
In this section of the post, we will be talking about some of the crucial factors you should keep in mind before buying your next DIY bedliner.
Durability and Sturdiness
It goes without saying that a durable bed liner will last longer compared to a low-quality one. The stronger the bed liner is the better it will be able to protect your truck bed from the external world.
However, the most durable and high-quality bed liners are a bit pricey. We would still recommend going with a high-quality and durable DIY truck bed liner, even if it is a bit expensive.
Resistance
The high-quality bed liner would be resistant to scratches, UV-ray, stain, rust, water, and even chemicals. You will be better off with a skid-resistant liner. If it is a weather-resistant bed liner, you can expect a long-lasting service.
Quantity
These bed liners come in various sizes. First, you will need to determine how much you are going to need. It will depend on the size of the truck bed. Secondly, you should consider the number of coats you are going to apply.
Remember, it is always better to buy a bit more than you are going to need, because you might accidentally waste a bit of the bedliner while applying.
Color
These DIY truck Bed liners are available in numerous colors. But, in most cases, you will find them in black. Still, if you want you can customize the colors to your liking.
It all depends on the preference of the user. So, make sure you are getting the right color for your truck bed.
Warranty Policy
Depending on the brand of the liner, the warranty policy will be different as well. In fact, there are many DIY truck bed liners that don’t have any warranty at all.
For the best results, you should always go for a brand that is offering a good warranty.
Purpose
Typically, the main purpose of a truck bed liner would be to protect the truck bed, while you are out overlanding or simply traveling. So, make sure you are getting one that is tough, durable, and has various protection capabilities.
For example, it is better if a liner is weather/chip/water/peel/rust-resistant. That way, you can be sure that it will protect the truck for a long time. Also, it would be better if it has a non-skid finish.
Brush or Spray
It is really up to the user. If you prefer using a brush, do it. On the flip side, if you are comfortable using a spray gun, go ahead. Of course, if the bedliner you are using mentions anything specific on this matter, you should follow those instructions.
There are liners that come in aerosol cans, so you can spray them without the need for a spray gun. According to many users, this is one of the easiest options for beginners. In that sense, you can also get this if you are feeling intimidated to use a brush or roller to apply these liners.
How to Do Surface Preparation
Cleaning
First of all, you will have to clean up the truck bed as usual. For the best result, you can use a vacuum cleaner. Make sure that you have unplugged the draining holes.
After the cleaning process, you should rinse it with clean water. Now, wipe out the truck bed and wait for it to dry
Protecting the Surroundings
Before painting, you should be prepared for overpainting situations. In this case, you will need masking tape/painter’s tape.
Now, make sure you have covered all the areas you don’t want to cover. In addition, you should also cover the draining holes.
Scuffing/Sanding
In this step, you will have to remove the stock paint. If there is any rust or corrosion, you will have to remove that as well. To do this, you can use sandpaper or abrasive pads.
Additionally, you should use a good quality oil-based primer for better results and durability. Now, wait for the primer to dry.
Wiping With Acetone
During this stage, you will need to use acetone to clean up the truck bed for the last time. Remember, acetone is toxic, so make sure you are wearing a mask and a pair of protective gloves.
The easiest way to apply acetone would be by using a spray bottle.
After you spray the acetone, you should wipe it off instantly (maybe wait a few seconds). After everything is done, you can now wipe the truck bed again with a non-alcoholic solvent. Now, wait 10 to 15 minutes to let it dry.
Apply the Bedliner
You can now start applying the bedliner. Follow the instructions on the bottle or can. You can use a brush or a spray according to your preference.
For a better result, you might have to apply double-coating.
FAQ
What is the best DIY bedliner?
It is a bit tricky to point the finger at a single best DIY bed liner. Depending on the preference and requirements of the user, the selection might vary significantly.
As a result, the best DIY bed liner would be different for everybody. We have reviewed 6 bedliners here. We believe all of these are at the top of any list when it comes to quality.
So, we can safely recommend going with any of them. But for your own convenience, we would recommend the U-Pol Products RAPTOR Tintable Truck Bed Liner Kit.
What is the best roll on bedliner?
Once again, the best roll on bedliner would be different for each person. It will depend on the budget, preference, and requirement of the user.
However, in our opinion, the Herculiner Truck Bed Roll on Bedliner Kit (click here to check at Tractor Supply) could be the best roll on bedliner from our review.
Is Rhino liner or Line-X better?
To be honest, both of these products come with a lot of premium features. For instance, you can color match both liners as per your requirements.
Both options can help reduce the sound of the truck bed. In addition, they both have a lifetime warranty.
The installation procedure is fairly simple. However, according to many current users, Line-X liner has an edge over the Rhino Liner. But make sure to research the topic thoroughly before you make a final decision.
Can you do your own spray on bedliner?
Of course, you can. For the best result, you should buy a high-quality DIY bed liner. After that, you should follow the instructions that came with the bedliner to apply it.
As the name suggests, most DIY (Do It Yourself) truck bedliners are very easy to apply. So, you can do it on your own without any issue.
Concluding Thoughts – Best DIY Bedliner
When it comes to DIY bedliners, you have a ton of choices, so it is not that easy to make your final call. But if you consider all the important factors before buying, then it will be far easier for you to make a decision. We have tried to review only the best of the best truck bedliners in this post. So, you can go with any of the above.
Still, if you are having a hard time picking out the best option, you should go with the U-Pol Products RAPTOR Tintable Truck Bed Liner Kit. They offer both black and tintable versions and they come with the applicator kit as well.
In addition, they are very high-end, durable, and weather-resistant liner. In short, you can’t go wrong with this.
