
For decades, spray-on bedliner was confined to its namesake: the bed of a pickup truck. But a growing trend has seen truck and off-road enthusiasts take this ultra-durable coating to a whole new level, applying it to their vehicle’s entire exterior. From rugged Jeeps to vintage trucks, the full-body bedliner has emerged as a bold and practical statement.
But is it the right choice for you? Before you trade your paint job for a textured finish, let’s break down the pros and cons of spraying your entire vehicle with a bedliner coating.
The Pros: Why People are Embracing the Bedliner Look
1. Extreme Durability and Protection
This is the number one reason people choose a full-body bedliner. This thick, polymer coating is designed to withstand the harshest conditions. It’s incredibly resistant to scratches, chips, dings, and rust. For off-road enthusiasts, this means driving through brush, rocks, and mud without a second thought. It acts as a shield, protecting the original paint and body panels from damage that would require an expensive trip to the body shop.
2. Unique and Aggressive Aesthetic
A full-body bedliner gives any vehicle an instantly rugged and aggressive look. The textured, matte finish is a striking departure from a traditional glossy paint job. It’s a statement of purpose, signaling that this vehicle is built for work and adventure, not just for show. The finish can be customized in various colors and textures, allowing for a unique, personalized vehicle that stands out from the crowd.
3. Low Maintenance and Easy to Clean
Forget about waxing, polishing, or worrying about swirl marks. A bedliner coating is incredibly easy to maintain. A simple wash with soap and water (and a little elbow grease for the caked-on mud) is all it takes to get it looking clean. The textured surface is far more forgiving than a delicate paint finish, and minor scuffs or dirt are much less noticeable.
4. Rust and UV Resistance
Quality bedliner coatings create a permanent, watertight seal, preventing moisture from reaching the underlying metal and causing rust. They are also formulated with UV inhibitors to prevent fading and chalking over time, ensuring the color remains consistent and vibrant for years.
The Cons: What to Consider Before You Commit
1. The Weight Penalty
A full-body bedliner is heavy. Depending on the vehicle’s size and the thickness of the application, it can add a significant amount of weight. This extra weight can lead to a decrease in fuel efficiency and put added strain on the vehicle’s suspension, brakes, and tires.
2. Difficulty and Cost of Application
Applying a bedliner to an entire vehicle is a complex and time-consuming process that requires professional expertise. The vehicle must be meticulously prepped, sanded, and masked. This is not a weekend DIY project. The cost of a professional full-body application can be significantly higher than a standard paint job.
3. Irreversible and Difficult to Repair
This is a critical point. Once the bedliner is on, it’s there to stay. Removing it is an extremely difficult, messy, and expensive process that can damage the underlying body panels. If a body panel gets dented, a standard paint repair is not an option. The bedliner must be cut out, the panel repaired, and a new layer of bedliner carefully blended in, which can be challenging to match perfectly.
4. A Single Look Forever
A full-body bedliner is a permanent style choice. You’re locked into that look and texture for the life of the vehicle (or at least until you’re willing to pay for the arduous removal process). Unlike a paint job, you can’t easily change the color or finish if you get tired of it.
The Verdict
A full-body bedliner is an excellent choice for a specific type of vehicle owner: one who values extreme durability and a rugged aesthetic above all else. It’s perfect for dedicated off-road vehicles, work trucks, or anyone who wants a low-maintenance, worry-free exterior.
However, for a daily driver, a show car, or someone who values fuel efficiency and the ability to easily change their vehicle’s look, the cons may outweigh the pros. It’s a bold commitment, and one that requires careful consideration of both the benefits and the permanent nature of the decision. Wolf Bedliners Inc. – 951.354.9653