What is the Best Spray-In Bedliner?

08th Jul,2020
red, vintage Dodge pickup truck sitting in front of a cornfield

A lot of us view our trucks to be an extension of ourselves. We protect the exterior, but applying the trunk bed with a good bedliner can extend the life of your vehicle and uphold its appearance for longer. Let’s take a look at what there is on the market.

Best Premium
U-POL Raptor Black Urethane Spray-On Truck Bedliner
Best Overall
Rust Oleum 248914 Truck Bed Coating Spray
Best for the Price
Dupli Color TR250 Truck Bed Coating
U-POL Raptor Black Urethane Spray-On Truck Bedliner
https://www.ratedradardetector.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Rust-Oleum-248914-Truck-Bed-Coating-Spray-82x300.jpg
Dupli Color TR250 Truck Bed Coating
U-POL Raptor Black Urethane has a higher price tag but it is very durable. This truck bedliner is all you need to protect the bed of your truck from corrosion and abrasions.
Rust Oleum is a trusted name in sprays for any surface, and your truck bed isn’t an exception. It’s easy to spray in and lasts for a very very long time. Protect your truck bed with a textured non-skid finish spray.
Giving your truck a redo doesn’t need to be expensive as you would think. Applying the Dupli Color truck bed coating is just like giving your truck armored protection.
Best Premium
U-POL Raptor Black Urethane Spray-On Truck Bedliner
U-POL Raptor Black Urethane Spray-On Truck Bedliner
U-POL Raptor Black Urethane has a higher price tag but it is very durable. This truck bedliner is all you need to protect the bed of your truck from corrosion and abrasions.
Best Overall
Rust Oleum 248914 Truck Bed Coating Spray
https://www.ratedradardetector.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Rust-Oleum-248914-Truck-Bed-Coating-Spray-82x300.jpg
Rust Oleum is a trusted name in sprays for any surface, and your truck bed isn’t an exception. It’s easy to spray in and lasts for a very very long time. Protect your truck bed with a textured non-skid finish spray.
Best for the Price
Dupli Color TR250 Truck Bed Coating
Dupli Color TR250 Truck Bed Coating
Giving your truck a redo doesn’t need to be expensive as you would think. Applying the Dupli Color truck bed coating is just like giving your truck armored protection.

1. Rust Oleum 248914 Truck Bed Coating Spray

There are few big company brands that come to mind when we think about the best spray in bedliners. The Rush Oleum spray-on bedliner will be able to coat entire truck beds more evenly than other bedliner products.

This truck bed liner will protect the surface of the bed from rust, corrosion and all other elements by forming a protective cover. This spray has a comfort tip that allows you to angle it in such a way to get all the crevices in the material.

The drying period for the Rust Oleum spray in bedliner takes less than an hour and also has a textured non-skid finish to make sure your cargo stays in place. Moreover, the Rust Oleum spray-on bedliner can conform to the shape of the bed and reduce noise as well.

One of the cons is it comes on a little thin when applied, but it will still work nicely in protecting surfaces.

Pros

Cons

2. U-POL Raptor Black Urethane Spray-On Truck Bedliner

This spray-on bed liner kit comes with the base and the hardener for you to do your own mixing. There is a ratio you can follow or you can experiment on your own for the perfect bedliner. 

The protective urethane coating works on your truck bed surface and many more. While other spray on bed liners fade with time due to UV rays, this is not the case with the U-POL Raptor.

One of the pros of the U-POL Raptor is it’s waterproof and deadens noises when you are on the road. Application is also easy for the U-POL Raptor bedliner as you can use a spray gun or apply it with a roller or brush.

Pros

Cons

3. Dupli Color TR250 Truck Bed Coating

The Dupli Color bedliner is in our top bedliner list for its versatility. Not only will it be an ideal protective cover for your truck bed, but it can also be applied to metal railings or the underside of your truck if you want.

You’d want to be able to get your things onto your bed without worrying about damaging it. The Dupli Color Truck Bed Coating does the job in protecting your stuff to avoid that problem.

The spray-on truck bed liner from the Dupli-Color company dries in less than an hour and is impact resistant. This means that it can be applied without cracking or flaking. The Dupli Color spray-on bed liner also dries with a rubberized finish to prevent skidding. You can use this product solely for touch-ups.

Pros

Cons

4. Custom Coat Black Urethane Spray-On Truck Bed Liner

If you are looking to do a large job or a complete overhaul, then you may need a spray-in bed liner kit like this one. This product from Custom Coat offers 1 gallon and the bedliner kit includes the hardener, base, and spray gun. 

Custom Coat is a great kit if you don’t already own a spray gun as it might be tough to find one that applies bed liners evenly. One of the best features of the Custom Coat truck bed liner kit is that it is resistant to extreme temperatures. In using this kit, the surface of the material will be protected all year round.

Rust is the top killer of a lot of vehicles and machines, but with the Custom Coat spray on truck bed liner kit, protecting different surfaces is pretty easy. It’s easy to apply, and the product is extremely versatile because it works on many surfaces.

Pros

Cons

5. Seymour 20-041 Truck Bed Coating

Here is a spray-on bedliner that doesn’t require a spray gun. In general, bedliners in a can are easier to apply. The Seymour Truck Bed coating can work well on your truck bed surface and different surfaces too.

The Seymour Truck Bed Coating makes a lot of touch-ups easier. This thick spray-on bedliner creates a protective coat to cover the surface, keeping away rust and other detrimental damage.

The product is also impact resistant and dries very quickly, and sits flush against the bed with excellent adhesion that will last for years. This is the best spray on liner kit will help extend the life of your vehicle as long as you make sure to apply it correctly.

Pros

Cons

Spray in Bedliner Buying Guide

If you do not buy the right type, amount, or color for your truck bed, even the best spray on bed liner may not produce the desired results. Follow our guide below to help you find the right product.

people riding the back of a truck on the desert

Type

There are several types of bed liners, but the spray-on bed liner is easy to apply on material. You don’t need to know much or have advanced skills when it comes to the application.

A spray bedliner usually comes with a spray gun to give you more precision. However, spray cans are still easier to use and cause minimal fuss. 

When you’re looking for a spray-on bed liner, you’ll find aliphatic and aromatic ones. Aliphatic options are strong and heavy. Also, they generally last longer on surfaces. They are a good choice if you want a strong cover with a lot of pigmentation or color (not translucent [1]). 

The use of aromatic bedliners are for touch-ups. Generally, they are more affordable than aliphatic truck bedliners. However, aromatic options are not as thick and heavy, which means they won’t last as long.

Ready-Made or Self Mix?

If you are a beginner with spray-on bedliners, we would suggest purchasing ready-made paint that are clearly labeled over DIY bed liners. Using DIY will help you identify whether or not the spray-on bed liner is right for your needs.

The ones that are ready-made can have an issue with the amount. These types usually come in cans and you would need to buy many to cover the entirety of your truck bed. This is also the reason why spray-on bed liners that come in cans are preferred for touch-ups.

The U-POL Raptor Black Urethane Spray-On Truck Bedliner includes the hardener and base separately. This means that before using the spray-on bedliners, you would need to mix it at the proper ratio yourself.

The right ratio is 3:1. You use three parts liner base and one part hardener. You can also add a reducer to decrease the thick paint texture. An issue this could pose is that the diluted product might not work well.

Our experts find that generally,  mix-in bedliner kits with spray guns work better than can types.

Amount

The amount of bedliner you will need will depend on the truck size and the type of truck bed you have. Determining the right amount is necessary because having either too much or too little can be inconvenient for anyone spraying a bedliner on a truck.

Good spray on bed liners should last a long time. This means that it’s highly unlikely that you will need paint touch-ups any time soon, unless you cheapened out and purchased a low-quality product or kit. Having plenty of leftover products will also mean that you wasted a lot of money on extra liner.

However, having liner leftovers is great for truck owners with more than one vehicle. Make the most use out of leftovers in a kit by checking if your spray-on bedliner can work with other surfaces. Some truck bed liners are advertised to do well on wood surface or metal surface, and you can also use it as extra protection around the house.

pickup truck moving through dirt road

Colors

A black or dark-colored bedliner is a good choice for many people. One reason why truck owners want black liners is because it doesn’t reflect dirt as much as lighter shades. A great DIY choice is the LinerXtreeme Spray, which can be bought in 3 gallons to cover the entire truck bed with a strong protective layer.

However, manufacturers make most colors you can think of so there is no need to stick with neutral colors every time. If you have a flaming red truck, you can choose the same shade of red or something similar to make it work with the aesthetics.

If you buy a truck bed liner that is very thin, just know that it can require a couple of paint coats to get that fully pigmented look and protective layer. Our team suggests looking for a high-quality spray-on bedliner kit that requires a single application. Applying two or three different layers can be time consuming and it can take even more time to cure.

Finish

Bedliners are often divided into having matte, smooth, textured and shiny finishes. Picking the type of finish depends on personal preference but there are advantages you can get in certain types.

A thick and rubberized matte texture can help keep your things secured on the surface. There are spray bed liners that are thick enough to dampen sound and vibrations so the jostling of the truck on rough terrain still won’t affect the cargo. Your things are also less likely to slip and slide on the truck bed and sustain damage. 

Meanwhile, a glossy or smooth finish could match the exterior of your truck better. One of the cons of this cover is it doesn’t provide much resistance, but it’s still a good option for those who want to keep a polished look.

Protection

Protection from rust and corrosion is very important in maintaining your truck.The best quality spray bed liner will be resistant to most elements, and premium kit options should keep your vehicle’s pristine appearance for many years.

Metal that’s exposed to sun rays for long periods of time could  fade, but this could be tackled by high quality spray on bed liners. Thick coated spray-on truck bed liners will protect your cargo and your truck bed against impact and scratches as well.

Any damage your truck sustains can be easily repaired with a good spraying bed liner. If you have leftover liner, it’s convenient to patch up the scratches and cracks then fix the truck bed itself, DIY-style.

old pickup truck loaded down with firewood

Durability

In order for your bedliner to protect your truck from elements, rust and corrosion, it also needs to be durable. The best bed liner shouldn’t flake, peel, crack, or chip easily. 

Our team understands that it’s hard to determine if a bedliner will perform as expected without trying it.  So while it’s important to read customer reviews, our experts have tested our listed bed liner products multiple times to make sure that they are resistant to chipping, cracking or peeling.

Application

Your bedliner choice is only as good as your application. So even if you have the best spray in bedliner, the output is up to you. Thankfully, the DIY process doesn’t have to be complicated.

Spraying bedliner is easy with a spray gun. It will generally give you an even coat and it gets the job done quickly. You’ll just have to read through and follow the instructions if you get yourself a spray gun kit like the LinerXtreeme Spray.

However, a spray gun, regardless of size, usually requires maintenance and could clog if not cleaned properly. It is necessary to properly rinse and dry your spray gun after every spraying session.

In the reviews we’ve done, we still like using a spray gun when it comes to application. But if you’re one who doesn’t want to use a spray gun, there are other tools like a roller or brush.

Compared to a spray gun, spray cans for a spray-on bedliner are a pretty easy way to apply product without needing too much effort and extra supplies. However, administering by hand would make spraying the bed liner evenly more difficult.

But whether your bedliner kit comes with a spray gun or can, be careful with the way you apply the product.

Tools

A paint job requires more tools than just the spray gun. Look for a tarp large enough to lay under your truck so you don’t get any spray damage on the floor.

You could also get a brush or roller to help you get those tough-to-access spots to make sure you have full truck bed liner coverage.

Price

Among the best things about a spray in liner is the range in price. A spray in liner can also be cheaper than drop in or roll on options. A high quality finish that maintains the appearance of your truck doesn’t have to be expensive as well..

You can choose from higher-end liners at around $300-$500, or select more affordable bed liner options that don’t exceed $100. Pricier options generally give you a thicker and long lasting finish, but more affordable ones may offer you a good deal for liner touch-ups.

top view photo of a blue pick-up truck driven on a puddle of water

The Advantages of a Spray In Bedliner

Why use a spray-on bedliner? Is there an advantage that a bed liner offers that you cannot get anywhere else?

The biggest advantage of a spray in bed liner is the high protection it offers your truck and the ease of application. A spray-on bedliner gives you a custom fit that can get in all the nooks and crannies around the bed.

Meanwhile, a drop-in liner is basically a mat that you literally drop onto the truck bed. This means that the shape is previously cut out when you buy it. It can’t be customized to what you want.

A roll-on liner does give you the same customizability as spray in ones, but a large roll-on brush wouldn’t be able to get the color into those hard to reach places. If you want to use a roller, get one that’s smaller. 

Repairs and touch-ups can still be done without a professional. It is even easier to do a spray-on job yourself, whether you use a spray gun or other tools. A spray in liner can give your truck a whole new look and add to the resale value of your vehicle without having to go for a custom paint job.

You can also decide which finish feels most comfortable to you. Textured liners can be rough on your hands and knees, but matte or glossy finishes won’t be like that. The right choice all depends on which product you like.

Have a Chevy? Here are some of our recommended bedliners for Chevy Colorado trucks.

FAQ

Is Rhino Liner or Line X better?

Rhino Liner is better in terms of finish. It’s softer and smoother compared to the competition but it might not be as bright or contoured perfectly to your truck bed. LineX is harder, which in turn makes it more durable. 

How much does spray-in bedliner cost?

Spray-in bedliners cost at least $50 and above. This depends on the quality and the brand. While cheaper does not always mean lower quality, you generally get better results for a well-priced bedliner.

Our Top Pick: Rust Oleum 248914 Truck Bed Coating Spray

Rust Oleum’s elegant factor plus smooth finish on truck beds surpasses all the other products we have on our list. Manufactured in the USA, this truck bed lining spray has a thick texture that can dampen sounds easily while preventing scratches.

It’s no surprise that the Rustoleum Truck Bed Coating spray will take the top spot because of its durability, easy application and overall quality. These features make it the best spray in bedliner on the market today.

William Johnson

William Johnson is the owner and founder of RatedRadarDetector.org. He writes about car accessories, with his passion stemming from a deep enthusiasm for all things automotive. His website, RRD, focuses on in-depth reviews of car accessories to help people find the best and latest products in the market.