Spray on Bedliners

mw243 · January 8, 2005

I just purchased a black Sierra Z71 ext cab and was planning to get a spray on bedliner (Rhino) installed next week. Price difference aside, would it be better to have the bedliner applied over the rails or under?

Over the rails seems like there would be more protection when unloading objects or shoveling material like mulch out of the bed, but I am worried the finished edge, which would be visible from the side of the truck, would become an eye sore due to a rough or uneven finish.

Any opinions from those who have or have seen trucks with bedliners over the rail would be appreciated.

Also, I planning to use a tonneau cover on the truck atleast part of the time.

This is my first GM truck, and I think it looks great now from the side. I would hate to stare at a rough layer of bedliner on the outside portions of the rail for the rest of the truck's life. Guess rail caps are another option later.

02 Silverado Z71 · January 8, 2005

I also own a GMC Sierra Z71! (Gotta change my log-on name)

I have seen both types of spray-on liners. Persoanlly, I would go with under-rail. The over-rail looks like crap - a big crooked tar-line running on the bed of a new truck.

Go under-rail. You can order bed-rail protectors if you desire.

BBSilverado · January 8, 2005

I agree with 02

04-silver · January 8, 2005

My .02 opinion

I would and did go over the rail, as you said

Over the rails seems like there would be more protection when unloading objects or shoveling material like mulch out of the bed

I also have a tonneau cover, it is the "Truxedo", soft cover type. Works well over the spray and the edges blend in well with the spray liner.

To me getting the bed rails sprayed was more of a purpose/reason then a cosmetic thing.

I try take some pics when it warms up some and stops snowing.

Just my 2 pennies worth.

John

Edit:My edges of spray are perfectly straight, front to back, which would depend on who's doing the work.

(Not intended to be a dig at 02 Silverado Z71. )

SS Crew · January 8, 2005

Do go with under the bed rails! If you put a tonneau (?) cover get the clear plastic tape they use on camper pass-thrus where the gasket rubs around the window. Use this clear tape on the bedrails, it'll keep the cover gasket from wearing through the paint.

Just my $0.02.

SS

JamesB · January 8, 2005

I have seen both types of spray-on liners. Persoanlly, I would go with under-rail. The over-rail looks like crap - a big crooked tar-line running on the bed of a new truck.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If you get the right liner, the over the rail looks great! I went with Line-X and the line on the over the rail is arrow straight... I have seen the Rhino and Tuff liners sprayed over the rail and they did look pretty bad... A lot of that has to do with the quality of the installation. Here are a few pics of my Line-X over the rail liner... Sorry the truck was dirty on that day...

Also wanted to add that my Line-X is now 3 years old and still looks great!

James.

MyBigToy · January 8, 2005

Go with under the rail. Then add the plastic bed rail protectors.

Why? Because the plastic bed rail protectors will hide any dents made in the top rails when loading or unloading over the top of the rails. An over the top sprayed-in bedliner won't hide the dents.

Greg · January 8, 2005

I went with a Line-X under rail application. Then again, I already had plastic bed rails. Make sure you see examples of the franchise's work. A lady at work has a Rhino job that looks real goopy, not tight and crisp. It looks more like black cottage cheese. A good place to look is the rear tie-down loops. My Line-X guy also sprayed the area behind the bumper so that from behind, you don't see metal in the gap between the tailgate and bumper. However, with a black truck, that may be less of a benefit. This is the second truck I've had sprayed with Line-X and am very happy. The only downside is that if you leave the tonneau on all the time, it takes a while to get rid of the urea smell.

RyanZ71 · January 8, 2005

hi there,

I went with Line-X instead of Rhino per the strong recomendations from our fellow truck owners on this forum as the Line X was thicker and the price was just a bit better. I've had a few people comment on the Line-X application on my truck, they really like it as do I. Trust me you will NOT be disapointed with Line-X! I went with over the rail. With your truck being black, the black spray will look SWEET for your truck! Good luck!

tryn2lrn · January 8, 2005

Over the rail Rhino and mine is straight and even beveled at the edge since it's pretty thick. Looks great, everyone comments on it and I have a Tuff Toneau III on with no issues. I think it has more to do with the installation than the actual product you choose. Ask them to see their work, someone there usually has it done on their truck or can show you past work. The guy that did mine had also did the bottom 4" of his truck with rhino and it looked great, after the last ride in the salt and cinders I am considering checking into a price to do mine as well. Good luck

mw243 · January 9, 2005

Thanks for the opinions. Makes the choice tough, but I will ask to see examples of the places work on monday if i can get down there before they close. That over the rail application of Line-X on JamesB's truck looks picture perfect and goes great with the oynx black. The price quote I got for Line-X was about $120 more than for the Rhino, which is strange cause I usually hear the Line-X should be a little cheaper. Guess I'll just have to look into it a little further before it's too late.

willscary · January 9, 2005

I took my factory rail protectors off and had the Line-X sprayed over the rail. I am VERY happy I did it this way!. I also have a tonneau cover, and it is unaffected by the liner. It is weathertight.

teamjnz · January 9, 2005

Over the rail.. I have Arma Coatings liner, same stuff as Line-X, just thicker. Goes on hot and is ready within minutes after spraying. Rhino goes on cold and takes 4 to 6 hours to set then 48 more before you can use it.

teamjnz

JamesB · January 9, 2005

Over the rail.. I have Arma Coatings liner, same stuff as Line-X, just thicker. Goes on hot and is ready within minutes after spraying. Rhino goes on cold and takes 4 to 6 hours to set then 48 more before you can use it.

teamjnz

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

How thick do they spray the Arma Coatings liner? My Line-X is at almost 1/4" on the bottom of the bed... The rails are a bit thinner...

James.

r8rs4lf · January 9, 2005

I went with Line-X over the rail on my SS. Very happy with it and topped it off with a Snugtop SL lid so you don't even see the over the rail job. It's just a matter of what you are going to do with the truck. I hardly ever carry things in my bed, much less over the rails, but it's a good thing to know if I ever did, my rails would be protected!

This is the only pic I have of it.

Late- Alex