Common Questions, Facts & Myths About Spray Bedliners

When Was the First Spray Bedliner Introduced?

Spray bedliners were first introduced in 1983 in South Africa, pioneered by Rhino Linings. Since then, the industry has grown significantly, with many iconic brands emerging—and some fading away over time.

What Is the Correct Thickness for a Bedliner?

This is one of the most frequently asked questions, especially since OEM bedliners are often sprayed much thinner than recommended.

General Guidelines:

  • 60 mil is the minimum thickness for polyurea to form a true structural membrane.
  • No bedliner should be less than 80 mil, even for light-duty use.
  • Most professional liners are sprayed between 100–125 mil.
  • OEM liners, though marketed as meeting standards, are often only 40 mil thick—well below acceptable durability thresholds.
  • For maximum strength, ask for PURE POLYUREA, which is 2–3x stronger than standard hybrid materials.

✅ Tip: Always ask how thick the installer sprays. If they can’t answer clearly, consider another provider.

Why Don’t Most Companies Offer Color Bedliners? Why Is White Often Refused?

Three Main Reasons:

  1. Lack of training – Color applications require skill and experience.
  2. Misleading practices – Some shops paint over black liners instead of using fully dyed-through materials.
  3. White is difficult – It’s hard to keep clean and requires expert-level application.

Key Tips:

  • Ask if the color is dyed through, not just top-coated.
  • For heavy-duty or commercial use, opt for an Aliphatic Color Bedliner, which is:
    • ✅ 100% UV-stable
    • ✅ Fade-resistant
    •  Typically double the price of a standard color liner, but worth it for durability.

What Are UV Topcoats—and Do I Need One?

If a shop is selling you a UV topcoat for a black bedliner, it often means they’re using lower-quality material without built-in UV resistance.

 A high-quality liner doesn’t need a separate UV topcoat to stay looking good. Built-in UV protection is a mark of a premium product.

Do I Have a Choice in Bedliner Finishes?

Yes—advanced applicators can offer customization in:

  • Texture – Coarse, medium, or smooth
  • Finish – Matte or gloss

These options are usually available through better-trained professionals using superior materials.

Can I Add a Logo or Emblem in My Bedliner—and Will It Last?

Yes!
Skilled applicators can embed logos and emblems directly into your bedliner.

Two Popular Styles:

  1. Texture vs. Smooth Finish – Creates a “ghosted” or shadowed look.
    • ✅ Extremely durable—holds up to abuse and wear.
  2. Color vs. Black Emblems – Full-color image logos.
    • ✅ Great for aesthetic use
    • May wear faster under heavy-duty or service-level abuse

Are All Bedliner Companies Franchises?

No.
Most are independent operators thanks to:

  • Modern equipment enabling small shops to offer high-quality service.
  • A limited number of polyurea manufacturers, which means many shops buy from the same suppliers.

 Franchising has become largely unnecessary—similar to what happened with Blockbuster in the streaming era.

Why Are Some Bedliner Brands Disappearing?

Over the last decade, many brands have been acquired by private equity firms that:

  • Implement new fees and change business models to increase profits.
  • Often reduce product quality or raise costs for installers.

As a result, many applicators have switched to direct-from-manufacturer materials that are higher quality and more affordable, but lack national branding.

Are All Spray Bedliners the Same?

Definitely not.
Even if the equipment is similar, the quality of the finished product depends on:

  • ✅ Proper installation technique
  • ✅ Adequate material thickness
  • ✅ High-quality formulation
  • Less filler = better performance

Don't pick a liner just because of a popular brand name.
✅ Look at Google reviews, and verify how long your local shop has been in the business.

Is a Nationwide Lifetime Warranty Important?

That depends on how long you plan to keep your vehicle. However, the best warranty option is:

  • ✅ Third-party backed (like a retail extended warranty)
  • ✅ Still covers you if the brand or installer disappears
  • ✅ Allows for repairs anywhere, not just at one specific shop

This saves you from driving hours to the nearest dealer for service.