BedRug install over spray-in liner using alternative adhesive?

[06032]

I bought a full BedRug to install over my spray-in liner. Much more gentle on the knees and cargo for this casual duty truck. I also use a tonneau so both liners are well protected from UV, abuse, etc. The truck itself is essentially a garage queen and used for family trips. Point is, the bed doesn't do much work.

 

BedRug recommends that 3M Automotive Adhesive Promotor be used to secure the velcro tabs to the spray-in liner. It occurs to me that these tabs will become permanent as trying to remove them after a few years might damage the spray-in liner. Plus, while the BedRug is nicely form-contoured, using only 50 or so 1"x 2" velcro tabs will still leave loose pockets of air.

 

Has anyone tried using 3M's #77 or 90 spray adhesive instead of velcro to attach a BedRug? Any insight on whether the 77 (as less powerful than the 90 I use for securing hood pads) will adhere to the spray-in liner? If it can be effective, my theory is that 1) the spray will allow the BedRug to more tightly conform to the bed, making it look better, 2) make the Bedrug more secure and 3) eliminate the need for the tabs.

 

I realize that should I have to remove the BedRug, it will be destroyed. I'll also have adhesive residue. But if it becomes damaged regardless, the presence of semi-permanent tabs will force me to replace it anyway (to hide them) or risk destroying the spray-in liner if I remove them. Either way, the BedRug gets replaced in this vehicle.

 

Given the light duty use of the bed and garaged nature of the vehicle, anyone have any insight into:

• will the 77 or 90 work?
• is it a smart or dumb idea?

 

 

[djriv11]

I think using a spray adhesive would be overkill and probably end up doing more harm than provide any benefit to you. I have had a full BedRug on my last truck, which applied to the painted sheet metal and came out looking fantastic with a near perfect form-fit and held very well. On my new truck, which also has the spray-in liner and a tonneau, I went for just the BedRug bottom mat piece. Both were installed using the 3M sticky Velcro tabs.

 

On my first truck I often drove without the tonneau due to hauling things such as my ATV. It saw some abuse such as me slamming on the ATV brakes to stop while loading (thus skidding across bedrug), driving for an extended period without the tonneau, etc., and with just the tabs it held in place extremely well and kept that perfect form fit. I also enjoyed the option of removing the BedRug from the Velcro-like tabs occasionally to remove debris and wash underneath the BedRug. It always went back in with just as good of a fit as the first time.

 

On the new truck, the BedRug mat fits and holds just as well on the spray-in liner as it did on the painted sheet-metal. I certainly do not think the adhesive tabs that come with it will do any damage to your spray-in liner, but they will give you the option to remove the BedRug should you ever need to. If you tried to apply an adhesive to the entire BedRug/truck bed, I think you will regret it badly at some point down the road when you either need to take it off or go to sell your truck as most people likely wouldn't want to take on that problem. I also imagine it would be a nightmare trying to evenly coat the surface with a spray adhesive and then get it to fall perfectly into position the first time. You could end up ruining it off the bat.

 

Realizing I rambled a bit there; long story short - stick with the adhesive the BedRug comes with. It does exactly what it is supposed to do and you maintain your options down the road.

[06032]

Thanks for the encouragement. I notice that BedRug provides the Promotor with the BedMat and TailgateMat for use with a spray-in liner. Are youy saying you didn't use it and the velcro still holds well?

[djriv11]

I did use the promoter actually. I first used whatever heavy grit sandpaper block I had on hand to try and improve the sticking surface, but it hardly did anything to the spray-in liner (partially why I'm sure removing the adhesive later on will not do any damage to the spray-in liner - that stuff is tough). I then cleaned with alcohol and lastly used the promoter.

[06032]

Excellent, thanks for that confirmation. You're probably right that even with the promoter, the tabs can still be removed from the spray-in liner with a hairdryer. I'll use the tabs. I'm really happy about this liner/bedrug combo.

[djriv11]

Glad to hear you are also happy with the combo. After I installed the full BedRug liner on my last truck, I honestly could not have been happier with the outcome. That synthetic fiber material really works well for its purpose, and really finishes the bed off in terms of appearance as well.

[06032]

Finished the install using the tabs and promoter. Required about ten (10) packets of promoter for entire bed. I'm a bit anal so used seven (7) tabs at the top' front and tailgate for a tighter fit. Also added a tab to each side of the tailgate to keep it flush. Don't skimp on the promoter or you'll need a second pass. The one thing I'm not happy about is the appearance of three (3) tabs each side of rear of the bed. Makes it look aftermarket. I might try a full length of two-sided tape (or black sharpie) to eliminate that peeve. I don't see this BedRug being removed anyway.

 

Aesthetically, this looks far more refined than either paint or spray-in liner. Functionally, it keeps everything in place without fear of abrasion. And I wouldn't hesitate to camp in the back either. Thumbs up!

[Gecko50]

I got a new 2016 GMC with a factory spray in bed liner. I tried to use a adhesive promoter and also a cleaner

 

I took my time and did like the adhesive promoter required. I let it set over night and this was for only a bed tail gate rug.

 

Drove to work and found it crumpled in the back of the bed. All the velcro tabs came off the spray in liner surface. Only one held and it was partial held on.

 

Called Bed Rug and they are going to send me a kt to try. I want to put on a bed rug inside the bed for my goose neck hitch like I had in my old 2014 truck.

 

 

So I will see how it works out in the near future.

 

Chuck

PAE

[edktm]

I had a bed rug, didn't like that it was always damp underneath.

[SouthpawHD]

I've had my BedRug for about 3 months and I love it, no dampness at all with my tonneau cover.

 

The only really draw back has been the need to vacuum it out after hauling campfire wood.

[Gecko50]

Ok first quick report. The adhesive failed and the bed rug was found in front of the ben. Contacted Bed Rug, they sent a kit. Ok not manly, I read the instructions. Seems like you have to apply the adhesive promoter 87 degrees or lower. (Has upper and lower temp limits) so I have to wait for a while to finish my test. You also have to roughen up the finish per instructions, I think they mean to take the higj spots of the spray in bed liner? More later.

 

No moisture problems here, it Las Vegas we don't get rain very often. UNLESS you was your truck!

[DAY11]

I have a bedrug over my spray in liner. I used the adhesive promoter on the tabs for the sides. I bought a pack of extra for the sides since they only sent enough for the tailgate. I never installed the tabs under the rug. Since I have a tonneau I didn't feel that I needed the bottom ones. No low pressure to lift the bottom up.

 

If I do remove the tonneau to haul something the load will keep the rug from lifting.

 

That being said I had no adhesion problems after using the 3m promoter and then sticking the tabs on the sides. And tailgate.

[Likarok]

I have had a few trucks with these Bedrugs in them. I have actually started keeping them instead of letting them go with the truck! Since I always buy GM trucks and the fact that the inside of the box of a GM truck did not change from the pre 2014 to now makes them easy to change out!

 

But I was very pleased to read above that with a little "GM Trucks" ingenuity (what else would you expect from GM Trucks guys and gals) that I can install my bedrug from my last truck into my new one with a spray in liner!

 

Because I have to buy some new Velcro I am going to use long strips of the Industrial Velcro. It is the agressive hook stuff exactly like the small strips that come with the new rug kit!

[Bgill]

I have a BedRug over the factory spray in liner installed on my truck which I transferred over from my last truck. I used 2" strips of industrial strength velcro that I bought off eBay to hold it in place, then I had a bed mat so I threw that on top and for good measure plus I added 6 (3 each side) GM cargo tie down rings. Needless to say I have no issues keeping my BedRug in place. LOL