There are two main options for sealing your truck bed: roll-on bedliner or spray-on bed liner. Both options will keep your truck bed safe from dirt, water, and UV rays, but they come at different costs, installation time, and difficulty levels.
The question of which is better between the two will ultimately depend on your liking and abilities since both have excellent results. Roll-on liners are cheaper and easier to install.
All you do is roll on your brush, and you are good to go. Spray-on liners are more expensive and may be challenging to do yourself.
Let’s explore more information on DIY roll-on and spray-on bed liners to help you determine which option is best for your situation.
Which Is Better: DIY Roll-On or Spray-On Bedliner?
Bedliners are a great solution to protect your truck from scratches and wear from daily use. However, there are several alternatives today, and picking the right choice could be challenging.
Your choice will depend on your budget and the security required on the truck’s bed.
Both liners will protect your truck, whether you choose to install the roll-on liner or the spray-on. Here’s more information on the two to help you understand them better and decide on the ideal one.
Spray-On Bedliners
These liner kits come in diverse textures, thicknesses, and colors. They also bear a durable and innovative urethane material that outshines most bed liners. These liners are a quick and seamless way to add a protection layer to your truck’s bed.
Spray-on liner is helpful even while driving via difficult terrain. It offers a gripping surface where the materials on your bed are safe from sliding.
Spray-on liners are ideal no matter what choice you go with. As long as it is done well, it will bring out the truck’s beauty.
Pros
Even though the liner appears stunning on your truck, you must apply it with caution. The space should be prepared before you spray. The liner will prevent your materials from sliding on the bed or falling off. Spray-on is likely to be more durable and thicker than roll-on liners assuming you do more than one coat.
Cons
Factory paint is gone if you apply the spray liner. It is not bad since it will help your truck avoid corrosion. DIY spray liners are a fast and efficient option, however, you have to worry about overspray and making sure that you have the rest of the truck covered.
I happened to have a slit in my plastic so overspray went onto my truck…where I didn’t want it.
Roll-on Liners
These liners offer unmatched UV against your truck that could last for a long time. The liner can be applied easily and could last even ten years of daily exposure to the sun. Roll-on liners are perfect DIY projects if you want to protect your truck’s bed from rust and moisture.
Advantages
With these liners, you will not have to worry about scratching or denting your bed while unloading and loading your cargo. Cleaning this liner is easy since you already have two layers of protection.
Roll-on liners are less expensive, and applying them to your truck is quite simple. If you seek a low-cost solution for your truck’s bed, this could be the ideal option. They come in various colors, meaning you will choose your favorite color to apply.
Disadvantages
The liner could take a lot of time before it dries out. With this paint, you can overlook the difficult-to-reach areas of the bed, such as sharp edges.
Even though it is easy to apply, it requires at least someone with experience. If you are short on time, this method may not be ideal for you since the drying process takes a lot of time.
Cost of Spray-In Vs. Roll-On Bedliner
When it comes to the cost of these two-bed liners, they differ slightly because of their properties, among other things. Roll-on liners are much cheaper than spray-in bed liners. Spray liners are more expensive than roll-ons because they are of superior quality. These liners are thicker than their roll-on counterparts and could last longer.
There are lots of spray-in bed liners that you can choose from. Their price will depend on the company and the quality of the liner. Most of these liners will start at around $450. Common spray-in liners include:
- Rhino linings – $499
- Speedliner – $459
- Bullet liner – $475
- Line-X – $525
- Xtreme liners – $499
- Reflex liners – $700
- Gardit – $475
Even though these are the common ones, you could still come across bed liners that are a bit cheaper, going for around $300. However, you need to keep in mind that the expensive pieces will undoubtedly have a higher quality than the cheaper ones.
Again, you need to know the price could differ depending on where you buy that liner. Some stores could be more expensive than others.
Roll-on bed liners come at a cheaper price than spray-in bed liners. Their price will range from $40 to around $120. Even though these liners are cheaper than the spray-in counterparts, keep in mind that they will help prevent dents, scratches, and rust on the truck’s bed.
Roll-on liner prices will also depend on where you purchase them. Some stores will be more expensive than others. Some sellers will sell the same product cheaper than other sellers on Amazon. Compare the prices in different stores before buying the roll-on bed liner.
Which Is Easier: Spray-On vs. Roll-On Bedliner?
If you consider doing it yourself, you have to assess these two liners critically. Even though both are great and will provide good results, there have their differences in terms of long-lasting capability, how you apply them, and even the initial price. Probably, you want to install the liner on your own, which is easier?
DIY projects are complex since whatever seems easy, and quick fix for one trucker may be different for the other tracker. When looking at the roll-on liners, they are easy to install. You do not need lots of preparations to start the installation process.
All you need is a serene environment and your protective gear then you can start. However, even though it is easy to install, it should be done by a slightly experienced person to have the best results.
The process will also not take too much time, but you have to be careful not to paint the unwanted regions. The only downside here is that it will take long before the liner completely dries up. In fact, it could take the entire day before it dries.
If you do not have the time to wait for it to dry, this could not be the best option. I put a 10×10 tent over my truck bed to allow it to dry without getting pollen and leaves onto my bed.
As for the spray-in liners, it is a bit more complex since they will require some preparations. When spraying, you will need to have protective gear such as gloves and a respiratory mask to keep away toxic fumes.
While spraying, you need to have secured the area if you are doing it in your garage. You have to cover other parts of the truck and enclose the truck in the surrounding poly to not spray the entire area.
As much as it may require many preparations, the spraying part is fun. However, you need to have a little bit of experience in spraying to do a good job here. If you cannot diligently do it inside then try it outside on a calm, not windy day. The best part about these liners is that they dry quickly compared to the roll-on bed liners.
Top 2 DIY Bedliner Kits
U-POL Raptor Truck Bed Liner Kit
This Bedliner comes with a complete kit where you get a hardener and spray gun. You will get four 1-liter bottles of the liner, and all you need is sandpaper, painter’s tape, and plastic to act as a drop cover for overspray.
The liner will dry in just one hour, much quicker than other spray-in liners. Before you apply the liner, make sure you adequately prepare the surface.
You will also require protective gear such as a respirator to prevent the inhalation of these fumes that may pose a danger to you.
Pros
- Spray gun included
- High quality
- Water clean up
- Adjustable texture
- Sticks to various surfaces (I covered a plastic cap with it)
- Can roll-on or spray-on application
Cons
- You must get rid of the rust first and prime the bare spots
- Prepare the surface before working on it
Find it here on Amazon: U-Pol Raptor Liner.
Herculiner Brush-on Liner Kit
This Herculiner Brush-On Liner Kit comes as a complete package, including two rollers, an application brush, and one gallon of black bed liner. The manufacturer says the liner is made of textured polyurethane formula that is tough and thicker than other liners. After installation, you will wait for about one to four hours, and you are good to go.
Pros
- Complete kit
- Affordable
- One gallon of liner
Cons
- Larger beds will need more than a gallon
Find Herculiner on Amazon here: Herculiner Brush-On Liner Kit.
Final Thoughts
Both roll-on and spray-in liners will produce excellent results, but you must be careful during installation. Roll-on liners are easier to install than their spray-in counterparts, and they are also cheaper. Spray-in liners are expensive and could be more tedious but take less time to dry.
