If you own a truck, then you know the importance of having a protective coating for the truck bed. After all, truck beds get a lot of abuse – especially if if you use your truck every day to haul items around. That's why it's important to get a bed liner to protect your investment. Bedliners are great to protect bed and avoid such accidents like scratching your paint job. But what kind should you get? And is one type more reliable than the other?

First, know that there are two classifications for truck bedliners: "drop-in" and "Spray-on." Unlike a spray-on bedliner, drop-in bedliners can easily be taken in and out of the truck bed, which is good for cleaning purposes. The cost is pretty reasonable, they can be easy to replace, and can be custom fitted for your truck. Plus, they're easy to install – just slip on in and you're done!

But, there are weak points to drop-in bedliners, many which can severely damage your vehicle. For instance, if you have an older, rubber unit, they don't really protect the inner bedsides as well as a newer model or a spray-on bedliner. If you get a plastic one, they can trap water between the liner and the bed which can lead to rust or corrosion, especially if your truck sits for a long period of time. Plus, the plastic version can vibrate and become loose quickly, which can wear through the paint on your bed floor and expose bare metal.

So what about spray-on bedliners? True, it is a little more expensive to get a spray-on liner compared to a drop-in model. However, a spray-on bedliner has a lot of benefits to offset that cost, such as:

• Durability: a spray-on bedliner are not only more durable than a drop-in bedliner but are resistant to corrosion.

• Noise Canceling: A truck bed can be somewhat noisy. However, a spray-on bedliner can reduce that traveling noise.

• Long Lasting: A drop-in bedliner will only last you for a short time. But a spray-on bedliner will last much longer.

• Watertight: No worries about trapped water, causing rust a corrosion! A spray-on bedliner has excellent adhesion to steal, as long as the proper surface prep is done.

• Choices: There are various textures available for spray-on bedliners, from a hard surface to one with a grip.

• Resale increase: A spray-on bedliner can increase the resale of your vehicle.

• Coverage: Not only can bed be covered, but so can the bedrails and tailgate. This is great to prevent scratches and missing paint.

• Versatile: These bedliners can also be used to protect rocker panels and fenderwells as well as replace interior floor mats.

It’s also important to note the weaknesses – for instance, if you do the job yourself, you may run into staining your truck which can be permanent. Plus the hardness of the chosen chemical can affect your cargo, such as a scratch to a wood finish. But if you use your truck for work on a regular basis, or concerned about the protection of your vehicle, than a spray-on bedliner is the way to go.

If you want to learn more about spray-on bedliners, we're here to help! Contact Marvel Industrial Coatings and learn more about our Armadillo Liners.