Three Ways to Protect Your Truck Bed

Prevent rust and deterioration in the back of your pickup with a DIY bed liner kit

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A bed liner is the easiest way to protect the most abused part of any pick-up truck. Both factory and aftermarket liners are expensive, but fortunately there is another way to shield your truck’s cargo space from the inevitable dings and scratches. DIY bed liners are available in a variety of systems, all within the abilities and budget of any do-it-yourselfer. Here are a few approaches to consider.

Top Pick

Easy Application

 U-Pol Raptor Black Urethane Spray-On Truck Bed Liner Kit
These can make the area look fantastic if you properly prep the surface.

With a little patience, a spray-on product can give you a factory finish for a fraction of the cost. Just remember the prep work of cleaning and sanding is critical to a good bond, and you must wear protective clothing, eyewear, and a respirator when handling these products. Several light coats are better than one heavy coat.

Great Value

For Skid Resistance

 Herculiner Brush-on Bed Liner Kit
You can apply a roll-on product to almost any clean surface.

A roll-on bed liner is a little easier to control than the spray variety and can be applied to almost any surface. So, one advantage of having it in a gallon can rather than as a pressurized delivery system is the long shelf life of a product you can use down the road for other projects.

Also Consider

Trunk Upgrade

 BedRug Full Bedliner
Carpet is ideal if you want to add a cap for a makeshift camper.

Lining your truck bed with carpet might seem a bit antithetical to the whole idea of owning a pick-up. But carpet-liner kits make it easy to install a durable, cleanable, and somewhat padded surface that is perfect for everything from hauling cargo to setting up a bunk right in the bed of your truck. The carpet also forms a bridge over the gap between the bed and the tailgate, extending the useable sleeping surface of your truck’s bed.