How to Apply Pickup Bed Liners

A bed liner can improve the resale value of a pickup.

A pickup bed liner can be a way of protecting the bed of your pickup truck without a great deal of expense. Applying the pickup bed liner is a simple process that does not require a great deal of technical expertise. Knowing how to apply the bed liner to a pickup truck will allow you to improve the resale value of your pickup truck, and it will save money in both the short and long term.

Things You'll Need

• Bed-liner paint
• Acetone
• Masking Tape
• Paint roller
• Gloves
• Rags
• Sandpaper

Instructions

1. Remove the tailgate from your truck and place it a safe distance away where it will not become accidentally splattered with paint or other fluids. Sand and clean the surface of the truck to remove any dirt and grease from both the truck bed and the tailgate. Allow the surface to completely dry.

2. Place the masking tape on the areas of the truck bed that you do not wish to coat, as well as all drain holes, to prevent paint from leaking onto the ground and staining it.

3. Place the acetone on the rag and wipe down the entire surface. Allow this to dry completely.

4. Paint the truck bed using the liner paint. Use the paint roller for the large areas and a brush for the corners. Once you have covered it thoroughly, you can begin to paint the tailgate. Allow this to dry for four hours, and then coat it again, using the same method. Do not leave more than 24 hours between coats. After the second coat, allow the liner paint to dry for 24 hours.

5. Reattach the tailgate to complete the process.

Tips & Warnings

• Paint the truck in a well-ventilated area to prevent any danger of inhalation of fumes. Make sure a window or door is open, and take a break once an hour.

References

• Herculiner: Bedliner Installation manual