Linex question

USA1Fan · March 14, 2005

I'm contemplating adding the following mod to my list of stuff I will be doing sometime in the future- getting the lower half of my truck (from the body crease down, all the way around) linexed, with the smoothest surface they can do.

My main question is whether I can put the body side moldings back on after it gets the treatment? I don't know if the molding tape (3M molding tape, right?) will stick to the linex well or not, but I think that the black moldings I have now w/the silver insert strip would look sharp on the black linex lower half. Pretty much a two-tone effect to my truck, and it would blend the fender flares and moldings into the look better than the current black on solid blue paint treatment I have right now.

I also have a sort of side question, how does the edge of the treatment look where the linex coating ends and unprotected paint begins? (Probably varies a bit between shops, but what's the best I could expect?)

Thanks for any replies on this guys, and I guess the answers I get will help determine how my truck ends up in the long run.

AG Bill 05 Z71 · March 15, 2005

I don't think the 3M tape will stick to the Line-X surface. The surface is quite rough and there would be air voids that would not allow the tape to stick properly.

The edge of the Line-X is actually quite good. They tape down a very thin wire along the edge and then pull the wire up through the Line-X coating after application. The coating is about 1/16" thick.

Over time, the Line-X coating will fade with the sun, and turn gray. You will have to use a plastic trim dressing regularly to keep it looking good.

I'm not sure you would be happy with this finish. Line-X looks great inside the bed, but would look kind of crude as a surface finish for the exterior of the truck.

Also, if you changed your mind, there is almost no way to remove the Line-X finish once it is applied....

JamesB · March 15, 2005

I'm contemplating adding the following mod to my list of stuff I will be doing sometime in the future- getting the lower half of my truck (from the body crease down, all the way around) linexed, with the smoothest surface they can do.

My main question is whether I can put the body side moldings back on after it gets the treatment? I don't know if the molding tape (3M molding tape, right?) will stick to the linex well or not, but I think that the black moldings I have now w/the silver insert strip would look sharp on the black linex lower half. Pretty much a two-tone effect to my truck, and it would blend the fender flares and moldings into the look better than the current black on solid blue paint treatment I have right now.

I also have a sort of side question, how does the edge of the treatment look where the linex coating ends and unprotected paint begins? (Probably varies a bit between shops, but what's the best I could expect?)

Thanks for any replies on this guys, and I guess the answers I get will help determine how my truck ends up in the long run.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I have seen a few trucks with the Line-X sprayed on the lower portion like you mention... They look good! The trucks that I have seen all had the Line-X applied below the body molding tho... The way that the Line-X is applied, it is actually pretty smooth. They apply the rough texture at end of the installation process by kinda of "raining" the product on.

I think the 3M tape should adhere to the liner material pretty good if they don't apply the texture... Ask the Line-X dealer what they think about the tape adhering. You

The seam line where the product ends should be very clean. When I had mine installed over the rails, they used a tape that had a small wire embedded in it. When they were done, the wire was pealed away and the result was a perfect line...

Also, while the liner will fade a bit, mine has not turned grey. It is still a nice shiney black. That is with the truck parked out in the Texas sun year round... My liner was sprayed about 3/16 thick on the bottom of the bed and slightly less on the sides and over the rails...

Here is a pic showing the edge of the liner... If you get this done as you described, be sure to post a pic!

James.

USA1Fan · March 15, 2005

Thanks for the feedback! Be sure that if (likely when ) I get it done I'll update the pictures in my Garage here. It probably won't be until late this year or early next year though. I'm just building my "to do" list, and right now I have my spring upgrades already budgeted out. (Full length stainless tube steps, Fold-a-Cover, replacement overhead console w/HomeLink, and replacement rear dome light w/two buttons).

I liked the idea of line-x on the lower half after reading that someone else had done this to their truck (couldn't locate the post though, so maybe it was on another site?), but I wanted the body side moldings on it for the nice extra "touch" that the chrome insert will add.

Anyway, I've added the treatment to my dream sheet. I even think the wait won't hurt much, since it'll also cover up any minor nicks or chips that the lower panels get in the meantime.

billyhay · March 16, 2005

I think the 3M tape will stick. The tailgate seal for the Fold-A-Cover is held on with 3M tape. There is no way that thing is going to come off my tailgate that has Line-X on it.

USA1Fan · March 16, 2005

I think the 3M tape will stick. The tailgate seal for the Fold-A-Cover is held on with 3M tape. There is no way that thing is going to come off my tailgate that has Line-X on it.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Great! Now I just need someone good with photoshop so I can get a better idea of the final appearance than the one in my head.

JCedar · March 16, 2005

If you go to line-x.com and look at their photos there is an S-10 with the fender flares and the rocker panels done. Just about every day I see a Fullsize 95-98 obs, ext. cab short box that has line-x from the crease down, and he DOES have the trim on top of the line-x. So there's your answer and if it's going to fall off it would fall off up here (UP of Michigan), considering the nasty road conditions that we have.

Have a good one...