How to Use a Truck Bed Liner for Walls of a Trailer or Boat Cabin

Truck bed liner applied to the walls of a trailer provides a tough surface that protects the material from which the walls are made. Applied to the walls of a boat cabin, it can prevent damage in areas where unstable objects will damage fragile interior surfaces. The bed liner provides coverage at a rate of about 55 to 60 square feet of wall space per gallon of bed liner and about 15 square feet of flat surface per quart of bed liner.

Things You'll Need

• Mild liquid detergent
• Water
• Palm sander
• 120-grit sandpaper
• Xylene solvent
• Bed liner product
• Open foam stipple paint roller
• Paint spray gun
• Paint brush

Instructions

1. Wash the surface with mild liquid detergent and water. Allow the surface to dry. Use a palm sander and 120-grit sandpaper to remove any damaged paint from the surface you wish to coat with bed liner.

2. Wipe the surface with xylene solvent to remove sanding dust and any paint chips. Allow the xylene solvent to evaporate from the surface before continuing.

3. Apply the first coat of bed liner as a thin coat. The bed line can be applied with a roller---use an open foam stipple roller---a spray gun or a soft paint brush. If you use the paintbrush, lay the bed liner on the surface in all horizontal or all vertical strokes, moving the brush in one direction only. Clean the brush with xylene after you finish the first coat.

4. Add a second coat of bed liner after the first has dried completely, so that it's no longer tacky to the touch. If you are using a brush, move the brush in one direction only, as before, but lay the second coat at right angles to the first.

Tips & Warnings

• Use cheap disposable paint brushes and avoid messy cleanup.

• Open foam stipple roller pads are available at hardware or home improvement stores.

• These products should be used with plenty of ventilation.

References

• Herculiner: Herculiner Application Tips