Bedliner question.

[Kiddglass]

So I have a drop in bed liner (ford dealer model) coming and I just had a couple of questions regarding my beds over all health. Number one I have been moving stuff for work and my bed does have a lot of small scratches in it so my question would be should I do something to seal those scratches as I've read about moisture being trapped under a drop in. Second I've also read that bed liners can sometimes wear through the paint below them is there any way to prevent that damage in install prep i.e padding or something similar?

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[OrangeStreak]

So I have a drop in bed liner (ford dealer model) coming and I just had a couple of questions regarding my beds over all health. Number one I have been moving stuff for work and my bed does have a lot of small scratches in it so my question would be should I do something to seal those scratches as I've read about moisture being trapped under a drop in. Second I've also read that bed liners can sometimes wear through the paint below them is there any

So I have a drop in bed liner (ford dealer model) coming and I just had a couple of questions regarding my beds over all health. Number one I have been moving stuff for work and my bed does have a lot of small scratches in it so my question would be should I do something to seal those scratches as I've read about moisture being trapped under a drop in. Second I've also read that bed liners can sometimes wear through the paint below them is there any way to prevent that damage in install prep i.e padding or something similar?

Chris,
I've had a drop-in and two spray-in's. Yes, it is possible for drop-in's to have some movement and scratch the bed, and also possible to cause rust to form on the bed when water is trapped there. If you can possibly cancel your order and get a spray-in, I think you would be much happier with that. If spray-in's are prepared and applied properly, they will bond permanently to the bed, not leak, peel, or rust. My installer guarantee's this with his work. $425.00 total including tax.

Regards,
Paul

 

[wanted33]

Chris, I agree with Paul. My last bed liner was my last bed liner. The things are so slick nothing will stay in place unless secured. I bought a bed mat to go over it to help. But, of course it's your truck. If you like the bed liner instead of the spray in I do suggest you seal up those scratches, or you may get some rust from moisture build up between the bed and liner. I can't speak to the liner rubbing as I've never removed one, but the last one I had was pretty secure. I don't know how it could have moved around.

 

[Kiddglass]

So for the moment I'm sticking with the drop in as it was a gift. Also the slippery thing isn't really a concern as mostly my bed is used to move smokers at home and plastic bins at work stuff I have to very securely strap down regardless but thank you for the advice!

 

[NickTheEnforcer]

no pads, etc. dont use anything that will trap moisture. I get that you are now committed to the drop-in plan but I guarantee you it will be your last one. No one know that has had one ever buys a 2nd.

I was able to negotiate my spray-in liner as part of my deal, well actually 1/2 of their $350 cost..so pretty happy and its the only way I roll.

 

[NickTheEnforcer]

So for the moment I'm sticking with the drop in as it was a gift. Also the slippery thing isn't really a concern as mostly my bed is used to move smokers at home and plastic bins at work stuff I have to very securely strap down regardless but thank you for the advice!

I knew a guy in the trades who was so sick of everything sliding around as he drove the subdivision he worked at all day/every day that he used a D/A sander to rough it up and said that seemed to help. Just did the bottom not the sides with 60-ish grit. It looked dull but nice. He was my exterior trim carpenter so its not like he was driving in parades.

 

[rang19ca]

My truck had one installed by the dealer, but I negotiated to have it replaced by a Line-X spray in liner at no cost, when I bought the truck.

 

[AzScorpion]

I knew a guy in the trades who was so sick of everything sliding around as he drove the subdivision he worked at all day/every day that he used a D/A sander to rough it up and said that seemed to help. Just did the bottom not the sides with 60-ish grit. It looked dull but nice. He was my exterior trim carpenter so its not like he was driving in parades.

Just put a rubber bed mat in it and be done with it. I've been doing this for over 30 years with about 10 different trucks, nothing moves with those in there. A couple of times I took the bed liners out and reused them because the next truck was exactly the same and the underside was fine. A few light scratches but nothing to bad and I never had a cap or cover on any of them.

 

[HenryMac]

So I have a drop in bed liner (ford dealer model) coming and I just had a couple of questions regarding my beds over all health. Number one I have been moving stuff for work and my bed does have a lot of small scratches in it so my question would be should I do something to seal those scratches as I've read about moisture being trapped under a drop in. Second I've also read that bed liners can sometimes wear through the paint below them is there any way to prevent that damage in install prep i.e padding or something similar?

Chris,

Drop In Bed Liners... they're great. What I've always done is clean the painted bed surface really good and then use an automotive paste wax, old school stuff like turtle wax paste, and wax the bed internal surfaces. Also be sure the bed drain slots along the front of the bed aren't blocked.

I always like drop-ins because they are easier to hose out and keep clean.. compared to spray in bed liners.

My Ranger has a factory applied spray in liner. Sometimes I like it... sometimes I wish I had a drop in.

Post up some photo's once you get it installed.

 

[brockdog12]

My dealer did my spray in at no cost since we’ve bought from them a few times.

 

[OrangeStreak]

Chris,

Drop In Bed Liners... they're great. What I've always done is clean the painted bed surface really good and then use an automotive paste wax, old school stuff like turtle wax paste, and wax the bed internal surfaces. Also be sure the bed drain slots along the front of the bed aren't blocked.

I always like drop-ins because they are easier to hose out and keep clean.. compared to spray in bed liners.

My Ranger has a factory applied spray in liner. Sometimes I like it... sometimes I wish I had a drop in.

Post up some photo's once you get it installed.

John,
I feel that spray-in's have the edge in appearance...they look like their built into the truck itself and I think that their texture makes a nice contrast to the smooth surface of the paint

 

[HenryMac]

John,
I feel that spray-in's have the edge in appearance...they look like their built into the truck itself and I think that their texture makes a nice contrast to the smooth surface of the paint

Sure ... no worries... opinions vary. It's a truck, meant to haul stuff and work. They both have their advantages.

Which one would you rather dump a front end loader full of cinder blocks into? A drop in strengthens the bed from impact, spray in... not so much.

You ever tried to remove pine sap from a spray in liner? I have. Much easier to clean out a drop in.

I'm not trying to convince the OP to not buy a drop in... I'm just sharing my 1st hand experience and trying to answer the specific questions he asked.

 

[RANGER_MARC]

So I have a drop in bed liner (ford dealer model) coming and I just had a couple of questions regarding my beds over all health. Number one I have been moving stuff for work and my bed does have a lot of small scratches in it so my question would be should I do something to seal those scratches as I've read about moisture being trapped under a drop in. Second I've also read that bed liners can sometimes wear through the paint below them is there any way to prevent that damage in install prep i.e padding or something similar?

Chris, if you can cancel the drop-in order, I would advise you to do so. The Ford Tough-Bed (or aftermarket competitors, I am sure) spray-on does a great job in covering everything up and giving a good overall protective coating. Then, to give even more protection and soften up the surface, I ordered a rubberized bed mat (from Rough Country, but this is a low-tech product that just about anybody can make well enough to use). Now I don't even think about the bed anymore, except to take the mat off for washing (with soap and a broom) whenever I wash the whole truck....

 

[Trigganometry]

I’ve had both and some of the other OP have stated nicely the differences. For me I will never do a drop in again. Reasons being, slippery, had to take it out at least 3 times a year and clean out the sand and fine dirt. That acts like sandpaper on the painted bed and over the years of living in the truck caused more problems than it solved. Mostly holes that rusted through from bed side on a steel body Ranger.

LineX is by far a better protector and a power washer is the solution to cleaning it out.

 

[HenryMac]

I’ve had both and some of the other OP have stated nicely the differences. For me I will never do a drop in again. Reasons being, slippery, had to take it out at least 3 times a year and clean out the sand and fine dirt. That acts like sandpaper on the painted bed and over the years of living in the truck caused more problems than it solved. Mostly holes that rusted through from bed side on a steel body Ranger.

LineX is by far a better protector and a power washer is the solution to cleaning it out.

LineX is not a better protector, in regard to impacts, than a factory made high quality drop in bed liner.... it's all about the ridges.

I had a drop in factory Toyota bed liner in my last Tacoma for 17 years. It scuffed the paint, but there was zero rust. I think drop in liners are just like everything else, you get what you pay for.

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